Asalam alaikumA friend gave me what he said is the secred tree of maryam as a gift. I would like to know if there is such a thing and what i should do with it thank you

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

There is no doubt that Maryam (Mary) is pure and Allah purified her from immorality (and all moral flaws) and made her the mother of His Servant, His Messenger, and His Word, ‘Eesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam .

Allah favored her over the women of the worlds as Allah Says (what means): {And [mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.} [Quran 3:42]

However, the belief of the Christians regarding Maryam is false and wrong, and she did not have a tree that she sanctified.

What the Christians now call "The Christmas tree" has nothing to do with Maryam or ‘Eesa, may Allaah exalt his mention.

The origin of celebrating this tree is a pagan celebration, and the Christians inherited this celebration from paganism, and then it became the most prominent feature of their religion. They are similar to those whom Allah described Saying (what means): {Indeed they found their fathers astray * So they hastened [to follow] in their footsteps.} [Quran 37:69-70]

Since this tree is considered a symbol of their disbelief, then it is neither permissible to accept it as a gift from them nor to keep it, as this would be imitating them.

Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah said: “Whoever gives a gift to the Muslims during these festivals, which is different from what he usually gives at other times, then his gift should not be accepted, especially if the gift is something that helps in imitating them, such as giving candles, and the like, during Christmas.” [End of quote]

Moreover, Al-Fataawa Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kubra, by Ibn Hajar Al-Haytami, from the Shaafi'i School of jurisprudence, reads:

“Among the most despicable innovations, is the conformity of Muslims with the Christians in their festivals by imitating them in their foods and by gifting them or accepting gifts from them (during these festivals).” [End of quote]

As regards what you should do with the tree after you accepted it from them, then if it is possible to change its shape, or dismantle its parts and use them in something else that is permissible, then this is acceptable; otherwise you must destroy it so that it does not remain as a slogan for Kufr (disbelief) and its people.

The Fatwa of the Permanent Committee reads:

“It is not permissible for a Muslim who believes in Allah and the Last Day to use items bearing symbols of Kufr, such as crosses, stars of David, Buddha statue, and the like, whether they are in the form of clothing, rings, medals, etc. Likewise, it is prohibited to manufacture, sell, or buy these items, because this is considered cooperation in sin and transgression and accepting Munkar (all that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law). Accordingly, whoever possesses any of these items should get rid of it.,” [End of quote]

On the other hand, if the person who had gifted you that tree is a Christian, then we advise you to invite him to Islam in a wise and gentle manner and with good admonition. If you feel that you are incapable of doing so, then you may gift him books that highlight the falseness of the Christian belief regarding Jesus.

Finally, we draw your attention to the ruling of keeping company with a non-Muslim, whether he is Christian or any other faith, and say that the Sharee’ah encouraged us to treat all the people in a good manner, and did not prevent us from being kind to the non-Muslims as long as they are not belligerent with the Muslims. Allah Says (what means): {Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.} [Quran 60:8]

However, a Muslim should be keen on keeping company with righteous people, Allah Says (what means): {Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous.} [Quran 43:67]

Additionally, Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri narrated that the Prophet said: “Do not befriend except a believer and none should eat your food except a person who is Allah-fearing.” [Abu Daawood and Al-Albani classified it as Hassan (sound)]

Moreover, Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: “A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one of you should examine whom he takes as a friend.” [Ahmad, Abu Daawood, Al-Albani classified it as Hassan]

Allah knows best.