Summary: Muslims do not celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween and New Year’s Eve. These festivals do not come from Islamic teachings or customs. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are major religious holidays important to people following Islam.
Detailed Answer:
Only certain holidays are recognized for celebration by Muslims based on Islamic beliefs. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are both known to be holidays of great religious importance. Their faith does not encourage them to observe holidays such as Christmas. Christmas honors Jesus’ birth, but Islam does not encourage the celebration of any religious leader’s birthday. The Quran refers to Jesus but does not ask for people to observe his birthday
فَلَمَّآ أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْكُفْرَ قَالَ مَنْ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَٱشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ
When Jesus sensed disbelief from his people, he asked, “Who will stand up with me for Allah?” The disciples replied, “We will stand up for Allah. We believe in Allah, so bear witness that we have submitted.”
Easter is a holiday that Muslims do not participate in. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, Islam rejects the belief that Jesus was crucified and resurrected.
According to the Quran, Jesus did not suffer crucifixion but was raised to God by Allah (Holy Quran, 4:157-158). Thus, Muslims do not participate in Easter celebrations.
Muslims do not take part in Halloween celebrations. The customs associated with Halloween are ancient and many of them do not go along with the Islamic faith. Tawhid which means the worship of only one God, is central to Islam, while superstitions are not accepted.
Muslims do not observe the festivities of New Year’s Eve. Many mark the arrival of another year; however, there is no religious association with this practice in Islam. Often, taking part in New Year’s festivities includes partying a lot and doing things—like drinking alcohol—that are forbidden in Islam.
On these occasions, Muslims choose to celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Ramadan, a period of fasting and prayer, is brought to an end by Eid al-Fitr. It is a day that recognizes Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) resolve to sacrifice his son at Allah’s request. Holidays allow people to worship, engage in charity and join their families.
The religion of Islam promotes having respect for different traditions, but Muslims are focused on traditions from their own religion first. They abstain from celebrating holidays that oppose what they believe.
All in all, Muslims do not observe Christmas, Easter, Halloween or New Year’s Eve. Their main religious celebrations are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as urged by both the Quran and Hadith.
