With 2025 nearing a close, many Malaysians are now in ‘vacation’ mode, counting the days before embracing the fresh start and renewed possibilities the new year promises. Before we welcome 2026, though, there is one last festive period that our country is celebrating, which is, of course, Christmas.
Throughout the years, one very merry Christmas tradition has become increasingly popular among Malaysians, even becoming a staple annual event of many local companies: Secret Santa!
Are Muslims allowed to participate in Secret Santa?
However, did you know that the festive gift-exchanging tradition is not meant for everyone? In fact, according to the former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dato' Seri Dr Haji Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, it's actually Haram, or forbidden, for Muslims to participate in Secret Santa.
On his official website, zulkiflialbakri.com, where he compiled his published articles on matters regarding the Islamic faith, jurisprudence, and more, Dr Zulkifli answered a question from a reader on whether it is allowed for Muslims to join a Secret Santa event held at their company for Christmas.
Specifically, in an article published in December 2023, Dr Zulkifli addressed the question below:
“Assalamualaikum Dato' Seri. I would like to ask, is it allowed for us to join programmes held by our companies, such as Secret Santa? We have to give presents to others without revealing our names. Our intention is merely to give a gift, and not to celebrate the religious festival itself. Please provide clarification. Thank you.”
Addressing the query, Dr Zulkifli, who is also the former Federal Territories Mufti, then clarified that Muslims participating in Secret Santa is forbidden, even if their intention is just to gift presents and not to celebrate Christmas.
He then went in-depth into the reasoning behind this, which has something to do with the origin of the tradition.
The origin of Secret Santa, as explained by Dr Zulkifli
Referencing the Wikipedia entry for Secret Santa, the former Religious Affairs Minister asserted that Secret Santa is a Western Christmas tradition that is also known as the Saint Nicholas tradition. It involves members of a community or group randomly assigned to give a gift to someone, with their identity not disclosed.
Dr Zulkifli then provided a brief historical background on Saint Nicholas, referencing St. Nicholas Center, a virtual website where people can learn about the historical figure. The former Religious Affairs Minister claimed that the tradition originally started with commemorating the anniversary of the death of Saint Nicholas, who was a Greek Orthodox priest.
He then summarised this article by St. Nicholas Center, saying that Saint Nicholas was born in the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor and had wealthy parents. He was raised as a devout Christian with a strong belief in this saying by Jesus: "Sell what you possess and give the money to the poor." After his parents died due to an epidemic, it is believed that Nicholas sold all his inheritance to help those in need, the sick and the suffering. He then dedicated his entire life to his God and was appointed a priest with the rank of Bishop at a very young age in the 4th century in the city of Myra, Lycia, Greece, which is now Demre in the Antalya province, Türkiye. However, during that time, the city was under Roman rule, and Emperor Diocletian cruelly persecuted Christians. Bishop Nicholas was one of the victims, imprisoned in a holding facility that was already full of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Nicholas died on 6 December 343 AD in the city of Myra, and this date was later designated as the Saint Nicholas Day celebration observed by Christians.
Former Religious Affairs Minister clarified that it is forbidden for Muslims to participate in Secret Santa
Dr Zulkifli said that, given that the Secret Santa or the Saint Nicholas tradition is rooted in the belief of Saint Nicholas, a Christian Bishop, participating in it is forbidden by Islam. The former Federal Territories Mufti stressed,
“A Muslim must never, under the name of Fiqh Ta‘ayush (the jurisprudence of coexistence), involve themselves in, let alone give recognition to any matter involving aqidah (creed) of another religion.”
He supported this view by providing several verses from the Holy Quran, namely:
- Al-Kaafiroon (109:6), as per the tafsir (exegesis or commentary) by Syeikh Muhammad al-Amin al-Syinqiti in Adhwa’ al-Bayan (2/157)
- Al-Maaida (5:3), as per the tafsir by Imam Ibn Kathir in Tafsir al-Quran al-‘Azim (3/22)
- Aaal-I-Imraan (3:19), as per the tafsir by Imam Ibn Kathir in Tafsir al-Quran al-‘Azim (2/25)
Furthermore, Dr Zulkifli also referenced the guideline on Muslims celebrating the religious festivals of non-Muslims prescribed by the Muzakarah of the National Council of the Fatwa Committee for the 68th Malaysian Islamic Religious Affairs Meeting on 12 April 2005. The guideline can be viewed in the Compilation of Views of the Muzakarah of the National Council of the Fatwa Committee for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (page 12) by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).
The guideline prescribed four criteria under which a non-Muslim celebration can be participated in by Muslims, but the former Religious Affairs Minister highlighted two of the criteria that are relevant to the subject matter:
Dr Zulkifli highlighted the first criterion in the guideline, which stated that Muslims are not allowed to participate in non-Muslim religious festivals if they are accompanied by rituals and rites that are against the Islamic creed, which are any matter, act, word, or condition that, if performed, would cause the Islamic faith to be tarnished. For example:
- Including religious symbols such as the cross, lighting up lights, candles, Christmas trees, and so on.
- Singing religiously-themed songs
- Placing any religious-themed mark on the forehead, or other marks on the body parts
- Giving greetings or gestures that praise the religion of non-Muslims
- Bowing or performing acts that appear to show respect for the religious rituals of non-Muslims
The second criterion in the guideline highlighted by Dr Zulkifli that is relevant to the discussion stated that Muslims are not allowed to participate in non-Muslim religious festivals if it is accompanied by actions that contradict syara' (Islamic law), which are any matter, act, word, or condition that, if performed, would be contrary to the teachings of Islam practised by the Muslim community. For example:
- Wearing red clothing like Santa Claus or other garments that symbolise a religion
- Serving intoxicating drinks or foods and the like
- Holding events with sounds or decorations such as church bells, Christmas trees, temples, or breaking coconuts
- Holding events involving gambling, worship, adoration, superstition, and so on
With the above established, the former Religious Affairs Minister addressed the reader's question and stated,
“Even if the intention is merely to give presents and not to celebrate the religious festival, it can't be a justification to permit participation in the tradition.”
Dr Zulkifli said Muslims should request an exemption from their employer
Dr Zulkifli concluded that Muslims participating in a Secret Santa programme held by their company is forbidden in Islam. Hence, he urged the reader and other Muslims to request an exemption from joining such a tradition from their employer out of respect for their creed and faith in Islam.
So, what do you guys think of the former Federal Territories Mufti's clarification on Muslims not allowed to join Secret Santa? Do share your thoughts in the comments!
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