Renowned Muslim scholar, Sheikh Abdul-Ahmeed Shorinola Aduangba, has emphatically cautioned fellow Muslim leaders against misleading the Muslim community by discouraging them from partaking in Christmas festivities and enjoying traditional Christmas meals.
In a widely circulated video, Sheikh Aduangba, while relishing a Christmas meal sent by a Christian family, stated that the Holy Qur’an does not prohibit the consumption of Christmas food.
“This is Christmas food. It is an annual meal. This is how I eat every year. The holy Qur’an never forbids eating of Christmas food,” the sheikh said.
Watch the viral video here.
Asserting the historical continuity of Christmas celebrations predating Prophet Muhammad, he remarked, “The Christians observed Christmas even before the time of Prophet Muhammad, and during his lifetime, he did not intervene to halt the celebration.”
Sheikh Aduangba stressed that post the compilation of the Holy Qur’an, there exists no directive forbidding Muslims from partaking in Christmas food, deeming it permissible (halal).
He criticized certain Muslim leaders for disseminating misinformation, characterizing such actions as morally objectionable and potentially divisive.
Sheikh Aduangba expressed concern that these leaders might be attempting to alter the Holy Qur’an to align with their sentiments, implying a distortion of divine guidance.
He affirmed, “The food is halal, as the Holy Qur’an would have explicitly forbidden it if not. Consequently, it is morally reprehensible for any Muslim leaders to disseminate misinformation concerning Christmas celebrations and the consumption of food provided by Christians on that day.
“This assertion, in my view, has the potential to generate disharmony. Furthermore, it can be interpreted as an attempt to reinterpret the Holy Qur’an to align with personal sentiments, suggesting an audacious effort to render permissible what Allah has deemed impermissible. It involves ‘remembering’ Allah in a manner that implies He neglected to include such allowances in the Holy Qur’an.”
To reinforce his argument, Aduangba drew a biblical parallel, referencing the king of Abyssinia who welcomed and protected Muslims sent by Prophet Muhammad.
According to him, even prominent Muslim leaders among them participated in Christmas celebrations alongside the king.
“The monarch observed the Christmas festivities, and notable Muslim dignitaries, including prominent leaders, participated in the Christmas celebrations alongside the king,” he said.
Urging Muslim leaders to pursue knowledge about the origins and significance of Christmas, Sheikh Aduangba sternly advised against propagating falsehoods.
He dismissed the notion propagated by some extremists that consuming Christmas food could lead to damnation, emphasizing that such beliefs are unfounded.
“It is important for individuals of the Muslim faith to understand that consuming Christmas food does not lead to condemnation in hellfire, contrary to the misguided teachings propagated by certain extremists,” he stated.
Sheikh Aduangba advocated for religious tolerance and a nuanced understanding of Christmas festivities within the Muslim community, urging leaders to refrain from perpetuating baseless narratives and promoting harmony among diverse religious practices.
