Summary
Muslims can celebrate Thanksgiving if they wish to. It is not a religious holiday, so it’s a Muslim’s choice to either celebrate it or not. The best way Muslims can celebrate Thanksgiving is by following God’s commandment of giving to the poor.
Table of Contents
Thanksgiving is a North American holiday which is celebrated in November on the third Thursday in the U.S.A. In Canada, it is celebrated in October. Thanksgiving started in 1620 when a group of people left England and made their way to the Americas on ship. This group, which included religious separatists and businessmen, left their country in hopes of finding new opportunities. After a lengthy journey of 66 days, they arrived at their destination, the Hudson River.
Unfortunately, many of the crew members died from being unable to weather the cold winter season. The Abenaki tribe, along with other indigenous peoples were of great help to the remaining crew. They taught the Europeans how to survive the hardships they faced and how to hunt, cultivate corn, catch fish, and more.
In 1621, the new settlers, known as the pilgrims, successfully completed their first corn harvest. To thank God for His help and for the ability to work with the indigenous people, the pilgrims held a feast. Over two centuries later, U.S.A President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving as a national American holiday (Tahir, 2022). Since then, it is celebrated all across the North American continent and family and friends get together on this day.
However, there is another side of this story worth noting. For Native Americans, Thanksgiving Day does not hold the same significance as it does for other Americans. This is because from the perspective of the Native Americans, the Europeans treated the indigenous peoples badly after settling. Thus, Thanksgiving is a reminder for the Natives about the oppression their people had to endure because of the settlers (Tahir, 2022).
The purpose of Thanksgiving is to show gratitude for everything we have. Gratitude is a very important part of Islam just like it is for Americans and Native Americans. The Holy Qur’an says, “Worship God and be thankful to Him” (The Holy Quran, 39:67). Thus, Muslims can celebrate Thanksgiving if they wish to, since the purpose of the holiday is aligns with the values of Islam (Lajna Imaillah U.S.A, 1996).
That being said, Muslims should be mindful of showing gratitude throughout the year, rather than just on one secular holiday. In line with the teachings of Islam, Muslims should be thankful to God and others every day. Showing appreciation for the blessings in our lives just one out of 365 days is not enough.
Muslims can practice gratefulness daily through the five daily prayers and through dhikr, the remembrance of God. While prostrating before God, they should thank Him for everything He has provided. While celebrating the holiday is allowed, it should be done in moderation. Excessive money should not be spent on Thanksgiving hosting, food, decor, etc.
Religious holidays are those days that hold a special significance to a specific faith/religion. For example, Christmas is a religious holiday for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Holi is celebrated in Hinduism as a holiday to celebrate the love of two deities. Therefore, religious holidays are specific to a certain religion and its teachings.
Cultural holidays are celebrated based on traditions or history of a certain culture. These do not necessarily include a religious basis. For example, Diwali is celebrated by Indians of various faiths such as Sikhism and Hinduism. Chinese New Year is another example. Some holidays can be both religious and cultural. For example, a lot of non-Christians celebrate Christmas for the sake of the winter holiday spirit and culture.
Thanksgiving is not necessarily a religious event. Some say the pilgrims were Christians. However, the holiday does not have any religious ceremonies associated with it. Thus, any faith can celebrate it as it is a secular or cultural holiday.
Most secular holidays are prohibited in Islam and Muslims should not celebrate them as they go against Islamic teachings.
Valentine’s day, for example, is a cultural holiday (although with a religious background). It goes against Islamic values because it encourages indecency and the mixing of genders. In Chapter 24 of the Holy Qur’an, Allah commands Muslim men to lower their gazes from women. Thus, this cultural holiday is against Islam as it promotes sexual relationships outside of marriage and unnecessary consumerism.
Another cultural holiday is Halloween, which is widely celebrated across North America. However, Islam prohibits Muslims from celebrating this holiday because it is against Islamic principles and teachings. The holiday’s basis is satanic ideas and polytheism, which are strictly forbidden in Islam. Moreover, the idea of trick or treating promotes begging, which is something Muslim children should never do.
Islam prohibits the celebration of those cultural holidays that are against Allah’s commandments. Most secular holidays promote rituals, polytheism, and shirk (associating partners with God). Muslims should be very mindful with their actions and ensure they are staying true to Islamic principles. It is very easy to justify these holidays and try to fit into cultural trends. However, Islam emphasises the unity of God and morality.
Let us first define the meaning of “haram”. “The term “haram” means that which is unlawful for you, and includes blood, pork and alcohol” (Al Islam, n.d.). Moreover, “verse 2:220 of Quran clarifies that haram is that which is harmful” (Rehmatullah, n.d.). With that being said, celebrating Thanksgiving is not haram in Islam because it does not pose any harm to a person.
However, in Islam, everything should be simple and in moderation. Some people celebrate holidays too extravagantly to the point where it contradicts Islamic teachings. For example, excessively spending money on a wedding or birthday by having elaborate decor, food and entertainment. These extravagances are not conducive to the teachings of Islam. Therefore, although Thanksgiving is not haram, it is important to remember that celebrating a secular holiday to the point of adopting un-Islamic customs can be considered haram.
There are several verses in the Holy Qur’an about giving thanks. Here are some of the key ones:
Alhamdo Lillah is an Arabic phrase which translates to “Praise be to God” or “All praise belongs to Allah.” This phrase is from the Holy Qur’an. It is used to show appreciation to God and thank Him for His bounties. For example, when a Muslim receives good news regarding an exam or job, they say Alhamdo Lillah to thank God.
Moreover, after offering each of the 5 daily prayers, Muslims say Alhamo Lillah 33 times. They also say SubhanAllah, which means “Holy is Allah”, and Allahu Akbar, which means “Allah is the Greatest”. These are all ways of praising God on a daily basis and thanking Him for the favours He has bestowed upon us.
Muslims are reminded to say Alhamdo Lillah no matter what their circumstances are. Whether rich or poor, healthy or sick, happy or sad, we should always give thanks to God because He is the only One worth praising in this world.
The leader of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community beautifully explains the wisdom behind praising God. He says, “Praising God is not simple thankfulness. [Rather] it is a declaration that not only did God provide all the necessary arrangements for mankind with His grace, but also rewards whatever effort is made by man, accepting prayers and bestowing grace” (Al Islam, n.d.).
Hadith are the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). There are various hadith about giving thanks.
“The Holy Prophet (sa) said that one who is not grateful to people is also not grateful to God” (Alislam, n.d.). This hadith emphasizes the importance of being grateful to not only God, but also to the people in our lives. When we are being grateful to our family and friends, we are also praising God and thanking Him.
Furthermore, the Prophet (sa) said “one who is not grateful for small matters is not grateful for big matters” (Al Islam, n.d.). This means that one must be thankful to God for even the smallest things in life. For example, having clean clothes to wear and fresh food to eat every day. Although these might seem like small things, they are massive blessings for which we must thank God.
Regarding the topic of this hadith, the leader of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has shared some insight. He says, “The Holy Prophet (sa) was not grateful for worldly blessings alone. [He] would express his gratitude for shelter against difficulties and trials, [and] he was thankful in the most trivial matters as well” (Al Islam, n.d.).
There are many ways in which Muslims give thanks to Allah:
Thanksgiving does not contradict Islamic teachings. Thanksgiving’s main principle is to give thanks for the important things in our lives such as God, family, and friends. Expressing gratitude is a big part of Islam, so Thanksgiving does not go against Islamic teachings. Also, Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday as it is celebrated by all faiths and religions.
However, in Islam, it is important to be thankful for the blessings in life every single day. Thanksgiving is only for one day. Muslims must remember to give thanks to God every day, instead of prioritizing it for just one day.
Lastly, while it does not contradict Islamic teachings, it is important for Muslims not to celebrate Thanksgiving too extravagantly.
There are no rules in the Qur’an or Ahadith about celebrating Thanksgiving. However, the best way to participate in the holiday is to give to the poor and needy. The Qur’an says, “And observe Prayer and pay the Zakah;” (The Holy Qur’an, 2:111). As mentioned before, Zakat or Zakah is an obligatory charity and Sadaqah is voluntary.
Muslims should regularly participate in both of these charities regardless of Thanksgiving. Many people only focus on big feasts on Thanksgiving. Muslims should make an effort to give to those who cannot afford such feasts.
Furthermore, Muslims should focus on expressing gratitude to God on Thanksgiving day. The holiday revolves around gratefulness and showing appreciation for the blessings in life. Therefore, Muslims can reflect on those blessings on Thanksgiving and also offer optional prayers such as nawafil. They should thank God for family, friends, health, food, education, and other blessings that God has provided them.
Thanksgiving was started by a group of pilgrims in the 1620’s. They travelled from Europe to the Americas by ship. When arriving at their destination, they could not bear the cold season. Seeing that they were struggling and many crew members had died, the Abenaki tribe and indigenous peoples helped the Europeans. To thank them for teaching them how to survive, the Europeans held a feast, which became the holiday of Thanksgiving.
Any food is allowed for Muslims on Thanksgiving, except the food that has been prohibited by God. The Qur’an says, “He has made unlawful to you only that which dies of itself, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which the name of any other than Allah has been invoked” (The Holy Qur’an, 2:173). Thus, all foods, except for the ones mentioned in this verse, are allowed for Muslims.
Examples of foods that are allowed include halal meat, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. It is a Thanksgiving tradition to eat turkey on the holiday. Muslims can eat turkey as long as it is halal, meaning what is lawful. Therefore, there are no specific restrictions for Muslims on Thanksgiving. Anything that is halal is allowed.
Conclusion
It is the choice of every Muslim to celebrate Thanksgiving or not. Showing gratitude is greatly encouraged in Islam. Therefore, the holiday does not contradict Islamic teachings. If a Muslim wants to participate in the holiday, they should give to charities and practice gratefulness.
References (APA Style)
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