To encourage goodwill, it is permissible in Islam to accept gifts. Also, the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) accepted a present that al-Muqawqis sent to him as per Islamic rule. So, can muslims accept christmas and new year gift? Yes, these gifts are permissible as long as they are Islamic and do not include anything that is haram or inappropriate.

The topic of accepting gifts from non-Muslims during their religious festivals, such as Christmas and New Year, is one that often raises questions among Muslims. This discussion is not only relevant in today’s multicultural and interconnected world, but also rooted in historical precedents set by Islamic scholars and the actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Understanding the Islamic perspective on this matter involves examining the principles of maintaining religious integrity while promoting goodwill and harmonious relations with non-Muslim friends and neighbors. This write-up aims to explore these principles, providing clarity on whether Muslims can accept Christmas and New Year gifts, and under what conditions such acceptance is permissible.

Permissibility of Gifts to Non-Muslims

It is permissible for Muslims to gifts non-Muslims and mushriks in order to soften their hearts towards Islam, especially if they are relatives or neighbors. For example, `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) gave a mithr to his mushrik brother in Makkah, as reported by al-Bukhari (2619).

It is impermissible to gift a non-Muslim on his day. This might indicate acceptance or participation in the celebration. But gifts that support the festival itself, such as food or candles, are strictly prohibited, with some scholars going for the opinion that this is disbelief in itself.

Prohibition of Gifts on Religious Festivals

Al-Zayla’i says in Tabyin al-Haqaiq that offering gifts on Nayruz and Mahrjan [two non-Islamic Persian festivals] is haram and is considered disbelief. As for Abu Hafs (may Allah have mercy on him), he reported that even a small gift given to a mushrik on Nayruz to venerate that day erases one’s good deeds. In Al-Jami’ al-Asghar it is said that gifts to Muslims on Nayruz without the intention of venerating the day is not disbelief, but he should not do it on that particular day to avoid imitation.

Whoever imitates a people is one of them. [Narrated by Abu Dawood, 3512; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 3205].

Referring to Ibn al-Qasim who deemed it disliked (makruhn) for a Christian to present a gift during their (Christian) festive occasion (al-Taj wa’l-Iklil). A Hanbali book, Al-Iqna’, States that attending Jewish festivals is not permitted, and so is selling anything for Jews and Christians, or giving gifts for them and to them on such occasions.

According to the Hanafi school of thought, Muslims are also not allowed to give gifts to one another due to these festivals. Ibn Taymiyah wrote that especially gifts given during these festivals, that help imitation of non-Muslims, should not be accepted. That includes offering candles at Christmas, or eggs, milk and lambs on Maundy Thursday at the close of Lent. A similar principle applies with respect to giving gifts to any Muslim at the time of these festivals; any such gift is prohibited as with the festival itself, in case that also encourages the imitation of the non-Muslim ways.

Taking a gift from a non-Muslim in their festival is permissible and does not indicate taking part in or approval of the festival. It can serve as an extension of kindness meant to soften the hearts and draw them to Islam. Allah allows you to be nice and just to those non-Muslims who do not fight you.

Al-Mumtahanah (60:8): Here is the verse from the Quran.

لَّا يَنْهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَـٰتِلُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَـٰرِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ

Allah says, “Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair.”

Kindness and fair treatment do not equate to friendship or love for non-Muslims. It is not permissible to take non-Muslims as friends or love them. Allah says:

لَا تَجِدُ قَوْمًا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ يُوَادُّونَ مَنْ حَادَّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَوْ كَانُوا آبَاءَهُمْ أَوْ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ أَوْ إِخْوَانَهُمْ أَوْ عَشِيرَتَهُمْ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ كَتَبَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَأَيَّدَهُمْ بِرُوحٍ مِّنْهُ ۖ وَيُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ حِزْبُ اللَّهِ ۚ أَلَا إِنَّ حِزْبَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

“Thou (O Muhammad) will never find any people, who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers, or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people). For such, he has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Ruh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens of Eternity, which they shall enter; and they shall have therein (from) pure wives; and He will admit them to dense shade. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. They are the party of Allah. Indeed, the party of Allah is the successful party.” [Al-Mujadilah 58:22]

CAN MUSLIMS ACCEPT CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GIFT?

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “When they give gift on their festival days, there is nothing wrong with accepting it.” He supported that ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib received a gift when Nayruz occurred. Ibn Abi Shaybah: Aishah said: “Do not eat of the meat of their slaughtered animals, but you may eat of their vegetables.” Ibn Abbas said: “You may eat of their vegetables.” Abu Barzah also had Magian neighbors who visited him on Nayruz and Mahrjan and brought him gifts to which he told his family to consume the fruits and deny other items.

Permissibility of Festival Gifts and Food

It is permissible to accept gifts from non-Muslims on their festivals, for this does not mean support for their religious symbols. To be halal meat slaughtered by the Jews or Christians is generally halal, except it is exclusively for their festivals, and thus it is forbidden. And Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah stated that with regard to the food of the people of the Book on their festivals, it is only acceptable to eat what was not slaughtered for the festival. It is always haram to eat slaughtered meat by Magians.

If the people of the Book slaughter as an act of worship for their festivals, then it is not permissible to eat from it, even if they invoked none over it except Allah. Among others, this view has been supported by Ahmad, ‘Aishah, and ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar. (إقضاع السراط املستقيم: 1/251)

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, you can accept a gift from your Christian neighbor on their festival day (Christmas or new year) provided:

• It is not an animal part logically split for the festival.
• It does not contribute to emulate the festival, like candles or palm leaves.
• To ensure that your children grow up with zero attachment to the festival or the giver, you teach them the concept of al-wala wa’l-bara (loving and hating for the sake of Allah).
• The gift is given to soften the heart of the neighbor and to call them to Islam, not to appease and befriend him.

If it is an impermissible gift, give a brief explanation for the refusal, for example: “We cannot accept your gift as it contains items prohibited in our religion.”

Muslims should be proud of what they believe in and practice what is ordained on them, not succumb to shyness or desire for approval from men, as Allah is more deserving of awe.