Thanksgiving, Christmas & Everything In-Between | Sh. Ammar Alshukry & Sh. Waleed Basyouni

Every year, as the holiday season approaches, Muslims living in the West face the same questions: 🎃 Can we participate in Halloween? 🦃 What’s the Islamic perspective on Thanksgiving? 🎄 Is having a Christmas tree or saying “Merry Christmas” allowed? 🎆 How should Muslims celebrate New Year’s? In this in-depth episode of the AlMaghrib Podcast, Shaykh Ammar Alshukry sits down with Shaykh Waleed Basyouni — President of AlMaghrib Institute and Senior Member of the AMJA Fatwa Committee. Together, they unpack the fiqh, context, and wisdom behind how Muslims should navigate modern holidays. They discuss: 🡢 The Islamic framework for celebrations 🡢 How to balance identity, community, and dawah during the holidays 🡢 The difference between religious vs. cultural celebrations 🡢 What’s permissible for kids, workplaces, and converts 🡢 Why Muslims should make Eid special again 🎧 A must-watch for every Muslim family navigating Western culture and Islamic principles. 📺 Subscribe to the AlMaghrib Podcast for more faith-focused conversations every week. CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 03:05 - Importance of Celebrating Holidays 08:15 - Purpose of Holidays in Islam 12:22 - Birthdays in Islam 13:36 - Halloween Traditions 24:55 - Islamic View on Halloween 26:00 - Message Behind Halloween 33:20 - Discussing Halloween with Kids 35:53 - Handling Work Halloween Parties 40:17 - Trick or Treating Guidelines 42:44 - Giving Candy to Trick or Treaters 45:50 - Diwali Celebration 47:55 - Thanksgiving Significance 54:57 - Christmas Overview 57:50 - Saying "Merry Christmas" in Islam 1:12:20 - Understanding Fatawa Context 1:14:23 - Christmas Decorations for Muslims 1:16:07 - Navigating Christmas as a Convert 1:20:10 - Christmas Bonuses: Permissibility 1:22:20 - Secret Santa Participation in Islam 1:22:58 - Spirit of Christmas for Muslims 1:26:48 - New Year’s Perspectives 1:30:50 - Alternative Events in the Masjid #AlMaghribPodcast #IslamAndHolidays #HalloweenInIslam #ChristmasInIslam #IslamicFiqh #IslamicPodcast