بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم
Can Muslims Celebrate Christmas?
The season of all things jolly is here —the season of sparkling lights, smiling snowmen and cozy traditions. But what about gaint Santa Claus waving from front lawns? Or your child asking about the figures bent over the baby in a cradle?
How do we talk to our children about Christmas when what they hear in school is, “Christmas is the time of giving and kindness.”
Your child might say, what’s wrong with that?
The answer, like all answers, lies in the roots of where it was born. Hence, what is Christmas? A commercialized holiday or not, let’s unwrap the meaning of Christmas. (excuse the pun, ho ho!)
The Origin of Christmas
In short, Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The name itself is derived from the Old English of Cristes maesse and that means Christ’s mass. Mass is a religious gathering, and so Christmas is a religious gathering to celebrate his birth.
Although, we as Muslims, do believe in Jesus i.e. Prophet Isa (AS) there is no dedicated day to celebrate his birth in Islam.
And most importantly, Isa (AS) is a PROPHET of Islam, however in Christianity, Jesus is believed to be the son of God. This is in total contradiction of Islam’s beliefs – that Allah is ONE with no family and no children.
Muslims believe that Isa (AS) was born by Allah’s Will to Maryam (AS) without the need of a father. This was a miracle and only through Allah’s Will. This in no way makes him God’s Son.
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَـٰمًۭا زَكِيًّۭا ١٩
He said, “I am but a message-bearer of your Lord (sent) to give you a boy, purified.”
قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌۭ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌۭ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّۭا ٢٠
She said, “How shall I have a boy while no human has ever touched me, nor have I ever been unchaste?”
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌۭ ۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُۥٓ ءَايَةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةًۭ مِّنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًۭا مَّقْضِيًّۭا ٢١
He said, “So it is; your Lord said, ‘It is easy for Me, and (We will do this) so that We make it a sign for people and a mercy from Us, and this is a matter already destined.’”
۞ فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَٱنتَبَذَتْ بِهِۦ مَكَانًۭا قَصِيًّۭا ٢٢
So she conceived him, and went in seclusion with him to a remote place.
This was a miracle from Allah, it didn’t make Isa (AS) the “son.” The concept of Jesus as the son of God is completely incompatible with Islamic beliefs. The Quran has emphasized the Pureness and Oneness of Allah many times. And so as Muslims, we strictly attest to the Oneness of God (Tawhid), rejecting any form of association of partners with Him.
Therefore, anything that has to do with celebrating Jesus Christ as the son of God goes against Islamic beliefs. For this reason, Muslims should not participate in Christmas celebrations or practices that are rooted in Christian beliefs.
“O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.”
[Quran, 109:6]
So, Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ… what does a white bearded man on a sleigh pulled by deers have to do with this?
Who is Santa Claus?
Santa Claus — the legendary figure associated with Christmas who is said to bring gifts to well-behaved children on Christmas Eve, is inspired by a 4th century Christian saint, Saint Nicholas. This saint was known for being generous to those in need, as well as others. He was revered all over Europe. So much so, that he became a legend and a “feast day” (December 6) was reserved for him. The tradition of giving gifts to children and the needy commenced.
The Dutch called Saint Nicholas, Sinter Klaas, and they are credited with bringing this custom over to America. In America, Sinter Klaas became Santa Claus and his appearance as a jolly white bearded man with a big belly, dressed in a red suit with a black belt, rose from the imaginations of a cartoonist, Thomas Nast. Thomas Nast’s drawing was inspired by the famous poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, published in 1823.
Origins of Santa Claus
Here are the various traditions behind modern-day Santa Claus broken down:
- Saint Nicholas: As mentioned above, the story of Santa Claus can be traced back to Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop from Myra (in modern-day Turkey). Known for his generosity and kindness, Saint Nicholas was celebrated for helping the poor and providing gifts to children.
- European Folklore: Over time, different European traditions blended into the Santa Claus legend. In Germany, Kris Kringle was a gift-bringer associated with the Christmas season. In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas (a Dutch nickname for Saint Nicholas) brought gifts to children on December 5th and 6th.
- American Influence: The modern image of Santa Claus as we know him today was popularized in the United States in the 19th century, especially through the poem Twas the Night Before Christmas published in 1823. Advertisements and other cultural depictions in the 19th and 20th centuries further shaped his image. This is when his image began to be used for commercialization purporses.
Santa Claus and Popular Culture
Today, Santa Claus is a central figure in Christmas traditions in many parts of the world. While some families celebrate Santa Claus as part of their holiday traditions, others choose to focus on the religious significance of Christmas, such as the birth of Jesus.
A Note for Different Beliefs
Santa Claus is a secular figure rooted in folklore and tradition rather than religious teachings. Many Christian families choose not to emphasize him, particularly when prioritizing religious observances. Therefore, all the more, we as Muslims, should dismiss the myths associated with Santa Claus and let our children know the truth. However, it’s important to remind our children that we must respect others beliefs just like how we want to be respected and so, should not spoil the “secret” of Santa Claus to Non-Muslim children.
What to tell your kids about Christmas as Muslim parents
The allure of Christmas is undeniable. The lights, the decked out Christmas trees, the promise of gifts and new toys!
Of course, all of this will naturally capture the interest of every child. We cannot blame our children or show reproach to our children when they show this interest. Instead, much like how we would talk to our children about Halloween, we must be open-minded and take this opportunity to explain the history of Christmas and how it contradicts Islamic beliefs. It’s essential to approach these conversations with honesty, kindness, and age-appropriate explanations. Here are some tips on how to navigate these discussions:
1. Be Honest, Age-Appropriately
- For younger children:
“Some people celebrate Christmas as a special time for family and giving gifts, just like we have a special time for family and giving gifts during Eid.”
It’s never too early to start.
- With toddlers you can say along these lines, we’re Muslim, we don’t celebrate Christmas, but we celebrate Eid! Its’ coming soon, aren’t you so excited?
- For older children:
“Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus but we know that is not part of our Islamic beliefs. We believe in Isa AS as a prophet.” This is a good opportunity to explain further. - Instill a love of our Muslim identity. We love Allah, and Allah doesn’t tell us to celebrate Christmas, *Allah is One and All-Powerful, Allah is different from humans and doesn’t need a family because Allah is so Strong and Great, isn’t it sad that they are celebrating Jesus as the Son of God when Allah is One. Jesus is Isa (AS) a prophet just like our beloved Prophet Mohammed (SAW).
2. Acknowledge What They’re Seeing or Hearing
Children may hear phrases like “Christmas is a time of giving” or see symbols like Christmas trees, Santa Claus, or holiday lights at school or in the media. Acknowledge this in a non-judgmental way to show understanding.
For instance:
- “You may see a lot of Christmas decorations or hear about Christmas at school. That’s because many people celebrate this time of year. It’s okay if we don’t celebrate Christmas; we can still learn about it and respect those who do.”
This creates a safe space for curiosity without judgment or feeling excluded.
3. Focus on Shared Values Like Kindness and Giving
Even if your family does not celebrate Christmas, you can connect with the universal values associated with the holiday, such as kindness, generosity, and gratitude. Discuss these values in a way that emphasizes their importance beyond any one holiday. These qualities are actually a part of Sunnah!
For example:
- “Even though we don’t celebrate Christmas, we can still practice kindness by sharing, helping others, and being thoughtful. Those are values that are important all year long.”
4. Celebrate Your Own Traditions and Teach About Your Family’s Values
Every family has its own unique customs, religious celebrations, or traditions that may hold importance. If you have your own celebrations or ways of creating family rituals, involve your child in these practices to foster pride and connection. Even better incorporate Islamic values and teachings to strengthen their faith.
Examples include:
- Celebrating Eid and making it as exciting as possible.
- Establishing family game nights, cooking traditions, or storytelling nights as special ways to bond. Reading tories of the Prophets and Sahaba or playing Islamic games are a plus!
5. Teach Respect and Open-Mindedness
Children should learn that it’s okay for people to have different beliefs and traditions, and that respect and understanding are key to fostering positive relationships. Teach them that while someone’s practices may differ from their own, kindness and curiosity can bridge gaps.
For example:
- “Some of our friends celebrate Christmas, and that’s okay. We can learn about their traditions, share kindness, and celebrate friendship with them, even if we don’t do the same things.”
6. Reassure Them That Being Different Is Okay
Some children may feel left out when they see their friends preparing for Christmas. Reassure them that it’s okay to have different traditions and that their own beliefs and practices are special too.
Talk about diversity and the fact that many families have different ways of celebrating or different priorities during this season. Let them know their feelings and experiences are valid. Yusuf and Yusra’s Merry Dilemma is a fun holiday read that explores these feelings and teachings.
Most importantly is to always remember to acknowledge that as humans we have a variety of emotions. As parents, It is up to us to help our children balance these emotions with one encompassing emotion; the love for Allah.
May Allah SWT always guide us and our children on the straight path.
