Topic
Muslims honour Jesus’ birth, which the Quran tells in detail, but do not celebrate Christmas as a religious feast; scholars differ on greeting Christians at the season.
What it means
Chapter 19 tells of Mary’s retreat, her labour under a palm tree and the child’s speech in the cradle (19:16–33), and chapter 3 of the annunciation (3:45–47). Muslims do not hold that Jesus was born on 25 December, a date the early Church adopted later, and the Quran does not give a date.
What the sources say
Some scholars, such as Ibn Taymiyya, discouraged taking part in other religions’ festivals, while many today, such as the late Yusuf al-Qaradawi, permit kind greetings to Christian neighbours, citing 60:8. The Quran’s injunction to “be kind and just” to those who do not fight Muslims is quoted in support.