Giving and receiving Christmas presents

24/12/2009| IslamWeb

Question:

I recently heard it is Shirk to give Christmas presents, but is it also Shirk to accept Christmas presents, I work in a school and receive many presents. 

 

Fatwa:

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, may Allah exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

It is not Shirk (associating partners to Allah) for a Muslim to offer presents or receive presents at the occasion of Christmas. However, it is forbidden for him to do so (to accept or offer presents on this occasion) because by doing so he confirms the falsehood the Christians are upon. This is also considered as helping in falsehood. Allah Says (which means): {Help you one another in virtue, righteousness and piety but do not help one another in sin and transgression.}[Quran 5:2]. Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, says about the Christian celebrations: 'It is not permissible to attend an uncommon feast that is organised on the occasion of the celebrations of non-Muslims. Similarly it is not permissible for a Muslim to offer a present (on this occasion) especially if by doing so one imitates them, like offering a candle and the like at Christmas.'

Allah Knows best.

Fatwa answered by: The Fatwa Center at Islamweb