Can My Children Act in a Christmas Play at School?

Answered by Shaykh Farid Dingle

Question

It is permissible to allow my children to participate in a Nativity play at school? Would it be considered disbelief?

Answer

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your valued question.

May Allah grant us all ease and tawfiq in fulfilling the great responsibility we have to both our children and to those with whom we share this planet.

The Ruling

Participating in that nativity play is not permissible because it is a Christian celebration. It is the obligation of the parents to politely ask the teachers to have the children do something else. That said, it is not disbelief in itself.

Please see:
Muslims Having Christmas Trees
Visiting Christmas Markets
Attending Christmas Festivities of One’s Non-Muslim Family

It would be much better if you had the children read out/perform the real nativity story of Sayyidna Isa [Jesus] as explained in the Qur’an. This would help everyone understand why we would be against taking part in a traditional nativity play.

I pray this helps.

[Shaykh] Farid Dingle
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language