IT’S HARD TO miss Christmas if you live in the West right now. My neighbours have put up their lights, and a shop nearby is selling Christmas trees. The malls and stores are busy with people rushing to finish their shopping.
I still remember the first time I learned about Christmas and Santa. I was about five years old, new to Britain, and had just started school. Santa was described as a man with a big white beard and a red suit who lived in the North Pole with his elves. He rode a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer and came down the chimney on Christmas Eve to bring gifts to good children.
At that age, it was easy to believe. All the children talked about him. He was everywhere, in storybooks, on television, in films, on billboards.
I remember telling my parents. Being Asian parents in the early 80’s, they very quickly dissuaded me of such nonsense and of ever expecting any presents on Christmas Day!
What strikes me now is how comfortable people, and society as a whole, are with telling children things that are not true. My spouse, a primary school teacher, mentioned that older pupils were told off for informing younger children that Santa is not real.
This should not surprise us. Christmas, as it exists today, is a blend of Christian and older pagan traditions. It has little connection to the actual birth of Isa (as). Many Christian scholars acknowledge openly that Isa (as) was not born on December 25. When a religion adapts itself to fit cultural expectations, it becomes open to further compromise and long-term confusion. This is one reason why Christmas today has become heavily commercialised, with little connection to faith. Even the familiar image of Santa was popularised in the 1930s by Coca-Cola.
Still, this season gives Muslims a useful moment to reflect on our values and to strengthen Islamic understanding within our families.
1. Being truthful with our children
Truthfulness is central in Islam. A sahabi narrated that his mother once called him in front of the Prophet ﷺ saying she wanted to give him something. The Prophet ﷺ asked her what she intended to give. When she replied that she planned to give him dates, he said that had she not given him anything, it would have been counted as a lie (Abu Dawud).
If this is considered a lie, we should be cautious about repeating stories we know are untrue.
2. Staying firm in our deen
When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah, he found people celebrating two pre-Islamic festivals. They told him these were traditions from the time of ignorance. He replied that Allah had replaced them with two better days: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr (Abu Dawud)
He ﷺ also said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Abu Dawud)
Islam is complete as revealed by Allah ﷻ and taught by the Prophet ﷺ. It is meant to guide and uplift, not to be blended into every surrounding culture. Early Islamic history shows how iman reshaped entire societies, Syria and Egypt, for example, which were once deeply Roman in culture.
3. The rise of consumerism
As Christmas moves away from its religious roots, it focuses more on shopping. Many feel forced to buy unnecessary items and spend beyond their means. This debt can hurt families and shifts attention from what truly matters.
4. Should Muslims say “Merry Christmas”?
This topic often sparks debate, but it need not be complicated. I do not to use the greeting because I do not want to affirm beliefs that Islam does not accept. This is not intolerance; it is simply clarity. We honour Isa (as) as one of the greatest prophets, but not as the son of Allah ﷻ or part of a Trinity.
In my experience, people in Britain are understanding. In my working life, no one has taken offence when I say something like, “I hope you have a nice break with your family.” If I know someone well, I may go further and say that I do not celebrate Christmas. People appreciate the honesty, and it often leads to good conversation.
Some argue that the greeting is harmless because “it’s just words and the intention is clear in the heart”. But in Islam, words matter. We enter Islam through the shahada, marry through qabul, divorce through talaq, make oaths with wallahi, and bear witness; all through speech. To treat words lightly is dangerous and it risks confusing future generations about the boundaries between Islamic beliefs and wider cultural practices.
5. Teaching children about Isa (as)
This season gives us a chance to teach our children the Islamic narrative of Isa (as): his miraculous birth, his noble mother Maryam (as), his miracles, and the challenges he faced. We can explain that he was not crucified, but raised by Allah ﷻ and will return near the end of time. Many Muslim children are unfamiliar with this story, and this period of the year offers a natural opportunity to reconnect with it.
Older children can also be introduced to wider concepts such as naturalism (the belief that everything in the universe arises from natural, not supernatural, causes and forces) which was present at the time of Isa (as) and which is a core modern thought.
6. Focusing on the two Eids
Children may feel left out during Christmas because it is so visible and vibrant. That is why it is important to create a joyful, festive atmosphere during the two Eids. Celebrate wholeheartedly: share gifts, exchange cards, gather as families, and make Eid a time they eagerly anticipate. Islam encourages halal enjoyment and meaningful family bonding.
7. A final reminder
Allah ﷻ says:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَقَـٰمُوا۟ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَبْشِرُوا۟ بِٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ
“Indeed, those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then remain steadfast, the angels will descend upon them saying, ‘Do not fear and do not grieve, but receive good news of the Paradise you have been promised.’” (Fussilat 30)
