Is celebrating Christmas an innovation that leads to disbelief (kufr)? And does the necessity of accepting greetings and gifts and dealing with them result in the non-acceptance of future good deeds?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Celebrating birthdays is impermissible because it is an innovation (bid'ah) and involves imitating disbelievers. However, it is not an act of disbelief (kufr) and does not invalidate good deeds. One who receives congratulations or a gift should gently explain the religious ruling to those offering them. If they fear damaging the relationship, they may accept the gift, clarifying that it is for friendship and not for the celebration, and ask them not to repeat such an act.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/24147
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 24147
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy