I am a young Muslim man married to a Christian woman and we have a Muslim daughter who is two years old. My wife wants to take our daughter to her parents' house so that they can celebrate Christmas, but I do not agree, although I cannot prevent her from doing so and if I divorce her, I would lose my daughter as I live in the West. Please advise and may Allaah have mercy upon you.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

There is no doubt that what you have mentioned regarding the state of your Christian wife is one of the matters that a Muslim should avoid by not staying at the countries of the disbelievers except if there is a Sharee’ah-approved dire necessity, such as recieving treatment or achieving a Sharee’ah approved benefit such as performing Da‘wah while guaranteeing being safe from the corruption and vices that are widespread there. As for taking your daughter to attend the feasts of the Christians, it is impermissible because she is a Muslim and Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.} [Quran 25:72] Among the meanings of the phrase (ill speech) is the festivals of the polytheists. The attendance of such festivals will cause her to love Christianity and she may convert to it, so you should exert great efforts in safeguarding the religion of your daughter.

Allaah Knows best.