Christmas Bonuses
Question
Is it permissible to give a domestic worker something extra over the Christmas period because she expects a gift at this time?
Answer
Allama Shaami Rahimahullah has written that it is Haraam to present gifts during Non-Muslim festivals in the name of their festivals. Therefore, handing out gifts and paying out additional bonuses during the Christmas season in the name of Christmas (such as saying that this is your Christmas Box” or “Christmas Bonus”) will be considered as impermissible and unacceptable. We therefore advise abstention from such practices.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
وَالْإِعْطَاءُ بِاسْمِ النَّيْرُوزِ وَالْمِهْرَجَانِ لَا يَجُوزُ ( أَيْ الْهَدَايَا بِاسْمِ هَذَيْنِ الْيَوْمَيْنِ حَرَامٌ (وَإِنْ قَصَدَ تَعْظِيمَهُ) كَمَا يُعَلِّمُهُ الْمُشْرِكُونَ ( يَكْفُرُ )
شامي ص ٧٥٤ ج٦
- Approved by
- Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
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