Is Transporting Decorations for Christmas Permissible in the Shafi’i School?


Shafi'i Fiqh

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

Does transporting Christmas decorations or giving chocolate to colleagues near Christmas, without intending it as a Christmas gift, constitute shirk, or are these simply impermissible actions?

Answer

In the Shafi‘i School, participating in or facilitating non-Muslim religious celebrations, even without belief in their customs, is impermissible but does not constitute shirk unless accompanied by beliefs affirming those practices.

Ibn Hajar al-Haytami states:

“‘From the most evil of innovations is the Muslims doing what Christians do on their festive occasions… The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘Whoever imitates a people, then they are from them.’” [al-Fatawa al-Fiqhiyya, 4:239]

Imam Shirbini further emphasizes that such actions warrant ta‘zir (disciplinary punishment). [Mughni al-Muhtaj, 5:526]

Conclusion

Transporting Christmas decorations or gifting chocolate near Christmas is prohibited as it indirectly supports or imitates non-Muslim festivities. While sinful, it does not amount to shirk unless coupled with affirming beliefs. Muslims should avoid these actions to maintain religious distinctiveness.

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.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, 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 served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning 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 living and fitness.