Scholars Say Muslims May Exchange Christmas Greetings Without Compromising Faith — Imam Abubakar Tahir
Islamic scholars across generations have expressed differing views on whether Muslims may greet Christians with “Merry Christmas,” with contemporary authorities increasingly agreeing that such gestures, when rooted in goodwill, do not undermine Islamic belief.
In a recent article released on Christmas Day, Islamic scholar and military officer Imam Abubakar Tahir examined the evolution of scholarly opinions on the issue, tracing the debate from strict classical positions to modern interpretations shaped by pluralistic realities.
According to Tahir, the controversy reflects a long-standing tension in Islamic jurisprudence between preserving the purity of faith (ʿaqīdah) and promoting peaceful coexistence in diverse societies. He explained that early scholars adopted rigid boundaries largely to prevent theological compromise at a time when religious identities were sharply contested.
He cited the position of medieval jurist Ibn Taymiyyah, who opposed congratulating non-Muslims on their religious festivals on the grounds that such greetings could imply endorsement of beliefs incompatible with Islam, particularly Christian doctrines concerning Jesus. Tahir noted that this view was driven by concerns over imitation and the protection of Islamic distinctiveness.
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However, Tahir observed that modern reformist scholars revisited the issue in response to changing social contexts. He referenced Egypt’s former Grand Mufti Muhammad Abduh, who permitted Christmas greetings when expressed purely as social courtesy, not as religious affirmation. According to Tahir, Abduh’s view was informed by the realities of multi-faith societies and Islam’s ethical emphasis on good neighbourliness.
The article also highlighted the contribution of Tunisian jurist Muhammad al-Tahir ibn Ashur, whose maqāṣid al-sharīʿah approach, Tahir explained, places social harmony, justice, and mutual respect at the heart of Islamic law. Ibn Ashur, he noted, viewed festive greetings as cultural practices rather than theological statements.
Tahir further pointed to contemporary scholars who have reinforced this flexible interpretation. Scholars such as Mohammed al-Ghazali and Yusuf al-Qaradawi, he wrote, stressed that intention is decisive, distinguishing between courteous expressions of goodwill and participation in religious rituals. Canadian-based scholar Ahmad Kutty similarly affirmed that greetings are social gestures, provided Muslims avoid endorsing Christian theology.
On the global stage, Tahir referenced Mauritanian jurist Abdullah bin Bayyah, a leading advocate of interfaith peace, who considers festive greetings part of Islam’s commitment to compassion, dialogue, and coexistence in a globalised world.
Grounding his analysis in Islamic sources, Tahir cited Qur’anic verses encouraging kindness and justice toward peaceful non-Muslims, as well as Prophetic traditions emphasising neighbourly rights and the removal of ill-will through good conduct.
In conclusion, Imam Abubakar Tahir stated that while classical scholars largely prohibited Christmas greetings out of doctrinal caution, the dominant contemporary view allows Muslims to say “Merry Christmas” as an expression of goodwill. He emphasised that such greetings are permissible so long as they do not imply endorsement of Christian beliefs, underscoring what he described as Islam’s enduring commitment to peace, justice, and harmonious coexistence.
By PRNigeria
