Fatwa

  1. Fatwa
  2. Islamic Creed
  3. Polytheism
  4. Imitating non-Muslims and partaking in their celebrations

Joining Christians in celebrating their feasts in church is prohibited
Fatwa No: 8327

Question

1- Is it permissible for a Muslim to go to church to wish Christians a happy feast?
2- If a Muslim did that, would he still be considered a Muslim?

Answer

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 is His slave and Messenger.

It is prohibited for any Muslim to go to a church to join Christians in celebrating their feasts or to wish them a happy feast, because this is considered an explicit acknowledgement of their false beliefs and the basis of such feasts.

This is also prohibited because it is an imitation of them.  Indeed, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam , told us that 'whoever imitates a people will become one of them'. [Abu-Daawood]

It was also narrated that ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab forbade Muslims from entering churches during Christian feasts because they would incur the discontent of Allaah the Almighty. [Al-Bayhaqi]

For further information, please refer to Fatwa No. 4586. 

With regards to your second question, if a Muslim went to church during the celebration of a Christians' feast without accepting their actions or sayings, then this person is still a Muslim despite the grave sin he has committed.

Allaah Knows best.


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