🕌 Jummah Khutbah: Khatib Imam Hakeem Abdur Rahman, Masjid Fatimah, Detroit
Friday, December 19, 2025 28 Jumada al-Akhirah 1447
Theme: “Muslim Conduct During Christmas: Faith, Respect, and Clear Identity”
Dear brothers and sisters,
We live in a diverse society. In the coming days, many around us will celebrate Christmas. As Muslims, we often ask:
🟩 What is our position? 🟩 How should we behave?
🟩 How do we protect our faith while living peacefully with others?
Islam gives us clear guidance, balanced with respect, wisdom, and kindness.
PART 1 — OUR FAITH MUST BE CLEAR
Islam teaches us to respect others, but also to protect our belief.
Allah says: لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ
“For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.”
— Surah Al-Kafirun 109:6
Christmas is a religious celebration based on beliefs Islam does not share, especially beliefs about Jesus (Isa عليه السلام).
Islam teaches clearly: إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ
“Jesus, son of Mary, was a Messenger of Allah.”
— Surah An-Nisa 4:171
As Muslims:
🟩We love and respect Prophet Isa (Jesus) 🟩We do not believe he is divine
🟩We do not celebrate religious festivals outside Islam
Keeping our faith clear is not hatred — it is honesty.
PART 2 — RESPECT WITHOUT IMITATION
Islam teaches respectful coexistence, not imitation.
Allah says:لَّا يَنْهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَـٰتِلُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَـٰرِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ
“Allah does not forbid you from being kind and just to those who do not fight you because of religion.”
— Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:8
This means:
🟩We are polite 🟩We are kind 🟩We are respectful neighbors and coworkers
But the Prophet ﷺ said: مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ, فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ
“Whoever imitates a people becomes one of them.”
— Abu Dawood
So Muslims should:
- ❌ Not participate in religious rituals
- ❌ Not say religious greetings that contradict Islamic belief
- ❌ Not decorate homes with religious symbols
At the same time:
- ✅ We may respond politely ✅ We may show good character
- ✅ We may maintain family ties ✅ We may show kindness & goodwill
This balance is Islam.
PART 3 — SHOWING ISLAM THROUGH GOOD CHARACTER
The best way to represent Islam during Christmas season is good character.
The Prophet ﷺ said: إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ صَالِحَ الْأَخْلَاقِ
“I was sent to perfect good character.”
— Ahmad
This means:
🟩Be honest at work 🟩Be respectful in conversation
🟩Be helpful to neighbors 🟩Be patient and calm 🟩Avoid arguments
Many people judge Islam not by books — but by Muslims they meet.
PART 4 — TEACHING OUR CHILDREN
Brothers and sisters, this time of year is especially important for our children.
We must:
✅Teach them Islamic identity ✅Explain why we do not celebrate Christmas
✅Teach them about Eid as our celebration ✅Teach them to be respectful, not confused
The Prophet ﷺ said: أَلاَ كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ
“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for your flock.”
— Bukhari & Muslim
Protecting faith starts at home.
SECOND KHUTBAH
Islam does not need to borrow celebrations from others.
Islam has its own beauty, balance, and completeness.
Allah says: وَرَضِيۡتُ لَـكُمُ الۡاِسۡلَامَ دِيۡنًا
“Today I have perfected your religion for you.”— Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3
Dear brothers and sisters,
This season presents us with an opportunity—not to withdraw or criticize, but to embody the beauty of Islam through our conduct. Here are practical ways to fulfill our duties:
- Be a Good Neighbor: You can give permissible gifts like food or gifts during this time as a gesture of goodwill, without it being a “Christmas gift.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “Exchange gifts, as that will lead to increasing your love for one another.” (Bukhari) This applies to all human relationships.
- Use It as Dawah Opportunity: When asked about our position, we can explain with wisdom and beautiful preaching: “As Muslims, we love and respect Prophet Jesus as one of Allah’s great messengers, but our belief about his nature is different. We celebrate his teachings of love, peace, and devotion to God.”
- Strengthen Your Own Faith: Use this time to increase in learning about Prophet Jesus (Isa) peace be upon him from Islamic sources. Read Surah Maryam together as a family. Renew your commitment to your own Islamic practices.
- Avoid Judgment and Rudeness: There is no need to announce “We don’t celebrate Christmas!” unprompted. If invited to religious events, politely decline with a simple, “Thank you for the invitation, but I won’t be able to attend. I appreciate your kindness.”
Remember, Allah commands us: ٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ ۖ
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.”
(Surah An-Nahl, 16:125)
Let us make du’a for our non-Muslim neighbors—that Allah guides them to the truth. Let us make du’a for ourselves—that Allah keeps our faith firm and our hearts wise.
O Allah, make us among those who hold to Your rope with strength.
O Allah, give us wisdom in our interactions and clarity in our beliefs.
O Allah, protect our children and families from confusion and keep us steadfast on Your path.