Is it permissible to eat the food of the Christians on their festivals?
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The questioner : The questioner, the brother, asks: Is it permissible to eat the food of the Christians on their festivals? And if it is not permissible, what is the meaning of the noble verse: [Al-Ma'idah 5:5]?
The Shaykh : Festivals are a specific matter; it is not permissible for Muslims to participate with disbelievers in their festivals. One can find many ways to apply such a verse:[Al-Ma'idah 5:5]. For example, there is that story I mentioned when the Jewish woman presented that piece of meat to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him); this means: [Al-Ma'idah 5:5]. It is not necessary to implement this verse by attending the festivals of the disbelievers and eating their food in order to say, "By Allah, this person applied the verse." The verse can be applied without falling into another violation, one of which is participating with the polytheists in their festivals. This is a topic in which Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) expanded his discussion in the previously mentioned book, *Iqtida' al-Sirat al-Mustaqim Mukhalafat Ahl al-Jahim* (The Straight Path Demanding Opposition to the People of the Fire).
and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them
وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَهُمْThe Shaykh : Festivals are a specific matter; it is not permissible for Muslims to participate with disbelievers in their festivals. One can find many ways to apply such a verse:
and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you
وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَكُمْand the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you
وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَكُمْ
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