Thanksgiving can strengthen faith and neighborly ties
“If they love you, if they respect you, they will respect your being.”
Thanksgiving is permissible and potentially recommended when Muslims treat it as an opportunity for gratitude, family ties, hospitality, and neighborly outreach rather than religious imitation.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Introduces three Muslim positions on Thanksgiving: forbidden, disliked, or permissible and recommended.
- Explains the strict position through concerns about non-Muslim holidays, imitation, Muslim identity, and historical context.
- Defines bid'ah as religious innovation contrary to Sharia principles and distinguishes religious constants from cultural means.
- Argues that Thanksgiving dinner centers on gratitude, feeding others, family ties, and community participation rather than religious ritual.
- Urges Muslims to invite non-Muslim neighbors and build trust through hospitality, love, respect, and good character.
In the khateeb's words
“There's a difference, my brothers and sisters, between adopting a culture which is against your religion or adopting a culture which is what? Just normative because you live in that society.”
“Use this opportunity to connect with your family and especially invite your non-Muslim brothers and sisters.”
“You might be the only Bible they read. If they love you, if they respect you, they will respect your being.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah addresses whether Muslims should celebrate Thanksgiving in America. It explains that scholars differ: some forbid it as imitation of non-Muslim religious holidays, while others dislike it or permit it. Dr. Shah argues that a dinner centered on gratitude to Allah, family ties, feeding people, and community connection is not religious imitation. He encourages families to invite Muslim and non-Muslim relatives, friends, and neighbors. He presents warm hospitality and good character as a way to build trust and show Islam through action.
- What makes a celebration religious, cultural, or simply a way to gather with family?
- How can welcoming a neighbor help people understand Islam?
- What is one way we can show gratitude by helping or feeding someone else?
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