A heated online debate has erupted after a woman on Facebook, Sakina Sani, reminded Muslims that “Christmas food is haram” in a post shared on social media.
Sani is arguing that for Muslims, consuming food associated with Christmas violates religious rules. According to her, eating Christmas rice, chicken, and other dishes is forbidden.
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What “Haram” Means in Islam
In Islamic teaching, the Arabic word haram refers to actions, practices, or things that are strictly forbidden for Muslims. It is considered sinful, regardless of intention, whenever the act causes harm to the individual or others.
“Haram” can refer to various kinds of prohibitions: certain foods (e.g. pork, alcohol), acts (e.g. theft, adultery), or even accepting wealth or gifts that were acquired illicitly.
Sani’s post drew both praise and backlash. Some agreed with her, calling the idea of Muslims eating Christmas meals unacceptable. Others expressed frustration, saying the post was divisive and hateful.
One commenter recalled childhood memories:
“Since I was a kid, I looked forward to the Christmas bowl of jollof rice and meat… My Christian neighbours are like my siblings to date.”
Is It Haram for Muslims to Eat Christmas Food?
In a Q&A titled “Eating Christmas Food in Islam”, IslamQA states that it is not permissible for a Muslim to eat food prepared for Christian festivals like Christmas.
It argues that accepting such food, or invitations to join those celebrations, is forbidden because it’s seen as approving or participating in a non-Islamic festival (bidʿah).
The reasoning is that joining in the festival, even by eating or socialising, may misleadingly endorse or normalise the non-Muslim religious holiday.
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However, a verse in Qur’an 5:5 says (in translation):
“This day (all) good foods have been made lawful for you. The food of the people of the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them.”
That verse is the basis for the view among many other scholars that Christmas food may be lawful for Muslims to eat, as long as the slaughter meets certain conditions, like cutting it rather than strangling or electric shock.
If the slaughter is improper, then the meat becomes forbidden (haram) because Islam prohibits the consumption of “dead meat” (animals that died without proper slaughter).
Sheikh Assimal Hakeem states that, “It’s totally acceptable for me to collect food (that’s halal) from non-muslims on their festivals…what’s not permissible is for me to participate in their gatherings.”
So, in conclusion, the permissibility of the food will be determined by whether the food is halal, the mode of its preparation, and the motive behind eating it.
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