Can Muslims Decorate with Christmas Trees in the Shafi’i School?


Shafi'i Fiqh

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

According to the Shafi‘i School, can Muslims decorate their homes with fir trees, Christmas trees, garlands, or wreaths during Christian celebrations, even without believing in the associated customs?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Shafi‘i Position

In the Shafi‘i school, it is prohibited for Muslims to imitate non-Muslims in their religious celebrations, even if the actions are performed without believing in the associated customs. Decorating homes with fir trees, Christmas trees, garlands, or wreaths during Christian festivities falls under the category of imitating non-Muslims in their religious practices, which is explicitly forbidden.

Ibn Hajar al-Haytami strongly condemns such practices and states:

“From the most evil of innovations is the Muslims doing what Christians do on their festive occasions by imitating them in their food, gifting them and accepting their gifts on those occasions… The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘Whoever imitates a people, then they are from them.’” [Haytami, al-Fatawa al-Fiqhiya]

He further emphasizes that Muslims must avoid assisting non-Muslims in their festivals or promoting their practices in any way, as this constitutes cooperation in sin.

Similarly, Khatib Shirbini asserts that anyone who imitates non-Muslims during their festive occasions should face ta’zir (disciplinary punishment) [Shirbini, Mughni al-Muhtaj, al-Iqna’]

Bujayrami reinforces this position, explaining that engaging in practices associated with non-Muslim celebrations is prohibited and considered an acknowledgment of their customs [Bujayrami, Hashiyat al-Bujayrami ‘ala al-Iqna’]

Conclusion

Based on the Shafi‘i School, decorating homes with Christmas trees, garlands, wreaths, or similar items during Christian celebrations is not permissible. Such actions are seen as imitating non-Muslim customs and are forbidden, even if there is no belief in the associated practices. Muslims are instructed to avoid these practices and instead uphold their own religious identity and values.

And Allah knows best.

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.