Should Muslims have a Christmas Tree?

“Galeeb, with your background in Islamic Studies, please explain to my spouse why we, as Muslims, should not be putting up a Christmas tree and celebrating Xmas.” 

What Do I Think

I used to inwardly wince when I saw decorated Christmas trees in the homes of my western Muslim friends or family. Sure, to each their own—but can you explain why you are bringing a core symbol of a Christian religious holiday into your home? Do you also celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday? Is your tree reflecting your religious beliefs, or is it driven by social, cultural, national, or capitalist norms?

I am a firm believer in intentionality. Act and speak with explicit intention—understand “what” and “why” behind your actions, articulate your reasoning to yourself and others, and remain steadfast in your beliefs. Thus, when someone asked me to explain why a Christmas tree should not belong in a Muslim household, I had to pause. My gut reaction would not suffice; I needed to validate it with logic and evidence.

But I was stunned at the evidence I found:

“But she pointed to the babe. They said : “ How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?” He said : “I am indeed a servant of God : He hath given me Revelation and made me a prophet and He hath made me Blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me prayer and charity as long As I live. He hath made me kind To my mother, and not Overbearing or miserable so peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again).” Such was Jesus the son Of Mary: this is a statement Of truth, about which They dispute. (Holy Qur’an, Surah 19, Ayats 29-34)

Those verses are found in Surah al-Maryam in the Holy Qur’an. This Surah (Chapter), named after the mother of Jesus (peace be unto her), is the only chapter (of 114) named for a woman. That is how important Mary is in Islam.

Islam is not a monolith. It is rich with diversity, encompassing multiple sects, schools of thought, and spiritual paths that place varying emphasis on religious guides. A believer can turn to these guides, seeking their interpretations of God’s word as revealed in the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be unto him). However, in any religion, the ultimate responsibility rests with the believer to make their own informed decisions.

Take, for instance, the phrases “the day” and “I was born.” How do you interpret them? This  website provides a spectrum of seven interpretations for each verse in the Qur’an. Notice I use the term “interpretation” rather than “translation” because any rendering of the Qur’an outside its original Arabic is inherently interpretive—it reflects the translator’s understanding, not a direct equivalent of the Arabic text.

In the Qur’an, Jesus—known as Prophet ‘Isa (peace be upon him)—holds a highly revered position as one of the greatest Prophets. The Qur’an narrates key elements from the Gospels, including his virgin birth, the signs given to him by God, his being raised up by God, and his return. For further exploration of this, check out the 2019 Vox article, Muslims love Jesus, too: 6 things you didn’t know about Jesus in Islam. 

Do Muslim-majority countries observe Christmas as a national holiday? The answer varies. Some countries with sizeable Christian populations do, such as Lebanon (41% Christian), Jordan (6%), Palestine (6%), Syria (3%), Egypt (15%), and Malaysia (9%). Others, despite significant Christian minorities, do not, including Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE, where Christians make up around 14% of the population.

Two countries that stand out for maintaining December 25th as a national holiday are Sudan (5% Christian) and Senegal (3%). Sudan’s recognition may be a relic of its pre-2011 union with South Sudan, where Christianity is much more prevalent. However, national holidays can be revised, suggesting an intentional choice to preserve this date.

Senegal’s approach to Christmas offers an intriguing example. In a country where Muslims constitute the majority, many Senegalese Muslims still buy Christmas trees and celebrate the holiday. As noted by Voice of America, while “Muslim Senegal’s Christmas is limited to the commercial and secular, it is still a celebration of the Christian holiday and the unity of this West African nation.” This highlights how Christmas can transcend its religious origins to become a symbol of national solidarity and shared cultural festivities.

Why Should You Care:

Based on the Qur’an (19:33), one could argue that Christmas is not solely a Christian observance but also an occasion for Muslims to reflect on and honor the birth of an important and revered Prophet, Jesus (‘Isa). From this perspective, it would be both rational and logical for a Muslim to put up a Christmas tree to commemorate the day. However, as the Senegalese Muslims demonstrate, the reason to put up a tree may be purely commercial and secular.

I believe such practices are meaningful only when they are intentional. If you have a tree and can articulate a clear rationale—be it religious or commercial—I will gladly celebrate with you and contribute a present to place beneath it. Intentionality, after all, gives depth and purpose to our actions.