QUESTION:

What do the scholars and muftis of the noble Shari’ah say regarding the following matter; what is the ruling on Muslims purchasing things on Christmas because they are available at discounted prices? There’s a great amount of confusion regarding this as some Sunni scholars have written that it is impermissible to do so. Please provide an answer to this question. 

Questioner: Abdullah from UK

ANSWER:

بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
الجواب بعون الملک الوھاب اللھم ھدایۃ الحق والصواب

Purchasing those items—which one never used to buy—on Christmas due to it being Christmas is impermissible. If someone trades in items especially on the religious festival of non-Muslims, then it is impermissible. If it is done out of veneration of that day, it is kufr (disbelief), as there is agreement with the non-Muslims in doing so.

It is mentioned in al-Bahr al-Ra’iq:

وَبِخُرُوجِهِ إلَى نَيْرُوزِ الْمَجُوسِ وَالْمُوَافَقَةِ مَعَهُمْ فِيمَا يَفْعَلُونَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ وَبِشِرَائِهِ يَوْمَ النَّيْرُوزِ شَيْئًا لَمْ يَكُنْ يَشْتَرِيهِ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ

Translation: “Going to the Magian festival Nowruz and doing as they do on that day, and purchasing something—which one never used to buy—due to it being the day of Nowruz (is impermissible). However, there is no problem in buying eatables and drinkables.” [al-Bahr al-Ra’iq, vol. 5, pg. 133]

If a Muslim purchases items during the Christmas season because they are cheap, then there is no problem in this. He is not buying those items due to it being the Christmas season. The reason for buying those items is not Christmas but the drop in prices. He would purchase them when prices go down on other days as well. Thus, there is no reprehension in this as the exclusive reason for impermissibility is purchasing items due to it being the festival.

It is mentioned in al-Durr al-Mukhtar:

وَالْإِعْطَاءُ بِاسْمِ النَّيْرُوزِ وَالْمِهْرَجَانِ بِأَنْ يُقَالَ هَدِيَّةُ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ لَا يَجُوزُأَيْ الْهَدَايَا بِاسْمِ هَذَيْنِ الْيَوْمَيْنِ حَرَامٌ

Translation: “It is not permissible to give gifts in the name of Nowruz and Mehregan (Magian festivals), i.e. by saying ‘this gift is for this day’.” [al-Durr al-Mukhtar, pg. 754]

Therefore, presenting gifts and trading in goods especially due to it being a non-Muslim festival is not permissible. However, if the exchange of gifts and trade of goods is for some other reason, then there is no problem in it.

It is definitely not allowed to attend the gatherings of non-Muslims on the 25th of December in order to purchase items. It is better that the goods be purchased a day before or a day after the 25th of December, so that resemblance with them is completely negated.

It is mentioned in al-Durr al-Mukhtar:

وَيَنْبَغِي أَنْ يَفْعَلَهُ قَبْلَهُ أَوْ بَعْدَهُ نَفْيًا لِلشُّبْهَةِ

Translation: “It is better to exchange gifts and purchase goods a day before or a day after, so that resemblance is negated.” [al-Durr al-Mukhtar, pg. 754]

واللہ تعالی اعلم ورسولہ اعلم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم
کتبہ ابو الحسن محمد قاسم ضیاء قادری

Answered by Mufti Qasim Zia al-Qadri

Translated by the SeekersPath Team

Read the original Urdu answer here – [Q-ID0542] Is it permissible to buy items during the Christmas sales?

Please also see:

[Q-ID0543] What is the ruling on wishing ‘Merry Christmas’, exchanging gifts and having parties during Christmas?

[Q-ID0413] Can we wish people ‘Happy Holiday’ instead of ‘Happy Christmas’?

[Q-ID0148] Can Muslims celebrate Christmas?

The Scholars of the past on resembling and imitating the disbelievers [Christmas]

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