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Fatwa CenterHer Muslim husband refuses to let her take her daughter to Christmas feast
Question
Question- I am a christian married to a muslim man- we have a daughter 2years and she follows her father- she is Muslim, we live in country where people are from all over the world- and different celebrations and traditions are practised. Now I have an issue- as I want to attend Christmas tree ceremony- and definitely I want my daughter to be with me. Now what right does anyone has to comment that it is Haraam- whereby I attend muslim festivals- Ramadan, Eid celebrations. And it is obvious that attending the Christmas Tree ceremony- will not change who she is nor her religion- in fact showing her that there are different religions and cultures- you are teaching the child about the world and respect towards other- and I believe if child has strong foundation- none of these things are harmful. I honestly extremely upset with my husband and his family- to the point that I feel in Arabic society an outsider is not respected, nor their culture or traditions. Nowhere in Bible it says- don’t congratulate Muslim on Ramadan/ Eid, Hindu and all other religions and especially considering the fact that some muslims are married to other religions>if you Can justify this matter- would much appreciate
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His Slave and Messenger.
First of all, you should know that in the Islamic law, non-Muslims are to be treated with kindness as long as they are peaceful with Muslims. Allaah says (what means): {Allaah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes — from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allaah loves those who act justly.}[Quran 60:8] For benefit on tolerance in Islam, please refer to Fatwa 29786.
Nonetheless, Islam wants the Muslims to adhere to their religion, be steadfast in their principles and avoid what they believe to be false. Besides, since the Muslims are distinguished in their faith and belief in One God, Islam wants them also to be distinguished in their holidays. It is confirmed that Anas 
said: "When the Prophet arrived in Madeenah, the people of Madeenah used to celebrate two specific days. The Prophet asked them, "Why do you celebrate these two days?" They answered, "We would play and have fun on these two days during the pre-Islamic period." The Prophet said: "Allaah has replaced these two days for you with something better, 'Eed Al-Fitr and 'Eed Al-Adhha.” [Ahmad and Abu Daawood - Al-Albaani graded it Saheeh (sound)]
Furthermore, Allaah says (what means): {And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.}[Quran 25:72]; ["...testify to falsehood..."] has been interpreted by the scholars to mean the festivals of the non-Muslims.
Addressing the Prophet Allaah says in the Quran (what means): {And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book [i.e. the Quran] in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allaah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allaah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allaah is your return all together and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.}[Quran 5:48]
The festivals of non-Muslims are either innovations to their religion or they have been abrogated by the Islamic law; hence, a Muslim should neither participate in them nor congratulate non-Muslims on their festivals because he or she believes that they are false. Since this is from the Islamic law, you should not be angry with your husband and his family for their adherence to it. For more benefit, kindly refer to Fatwa 41886.
On the other hand, you cannot decisively say that the Bible did not prohibit congratulating the non-believers on their festivals. The Bible has been distorted like other divine books before it. This is an established fact that is proven by the contradictions found in the bibles and the fact that the bibles differ with each other on specific issues. For this reason, we invite you to embrace Islam which is the true religion which Allaah abrogated all previous religions with, as the above verse indicates. It is through Islam that a person achieves happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. For more benefit on Islam, please refer to Fataawa 88906, 81979 and 88051.
For more benefit on Christianity and the Bible, please refer to Fataawa 85307 and 90449.
Allaah Knows best.
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