Do Muslims Celebrate Thanksgiving? An Islamic Guide for Muslim Families

**The short answer:** Some Muslims in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving as a civic and family occasion, while others choose not to celebrate it. Thanksgiving is **not an Islamic religious festival**, and Muslims do not consider it an Eid. However, gratitude, family ties, feeding people and helping neighbours are all deeply Islamic values. This is why scholars differ about a Thanksgiving meal that contains no non-Islamic worship or prohibited activity.

The most balanced answer is not simply “yes” or “no.” It depends on what a family means by Thanksgiving and what actually happens at the gathering. A halal family dinner centred on gratitude to Allah is not the same as participating in another religion’s worship. At the same time, a Muslim should not invent a new Islamic holy day, imitate a religious ritual, neglect prayer or take part in alcohol, unlawful food and other prohibited conduct.

This article explains the main Islamic principles, recognised scholarly views and practical choices for Muslim families—especially those living in the USA.

Thanksgiving and Islam: the answer at a glance

What is Thanksgiving Day?

In the United States, Thanksgiving is a national public holiday observed on the fourth Thursday of November. For many Americans today, it is primarily a day for family gatherings, a shared meal, gratitude, charity, travel, football and the beginning of the winter shopping season.

Its history is more complicated than the familiar school story of a single peaceful harvest meal. American thanksgiving observances developed through different colonial, religious, regional and national traditions. Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation called for a national day of thanksgiving and praise to God, and later federal law fixed Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November.

This history matters because it explains the disagreement among Muslim scholars. Thanksgiving has used religious language and has historical Christian associations, yet much of its present American observance is civic and cultural rather than church-based. One family may begin with a specifically Christian prayer; another may simply eat dinner and name things for which they are grateful. Islamic rulings cannot responsibly ignore that difference.

Gratitude is central to Islam

The English word *thanksgiving* describes an idea Islam strongly teaches: **shukr**, or gratitude. A Muslim thanks Allah for faith, life, food, safety, family and every visible and hidden blessing.

Allah says:

“If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more.” — [Qur’an 14:7](https://quran.com/14/7)

The Qur’an also commands believers to eat from what is good and to be grateful to Allah ([Qur’an 2:172](https://quran.com/2/172)). Gratitude is therefore not reserved for one Thursday in November. It belongs in every prayer, meal, morning and evening of a Muslim’s life.

Islamic gratitude appears in several forms:

• **Gratitude of the heart:** recognising that blessings ultimately come from Allah.
• **Gratitude of the tongue:** praising Allah and speaking responsibly about His favours.
• **Gratitude through action:** using health, money, knowledge and time in obedience and service.
• **Gratitude toward people:** thanking parents, relatives, teachers, neighbours and anyone who does good.
• **Sharing blessings:** feeding others, giving charity and helping those in need.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that a person who does not thank people has not properly thanked Allah; see [Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi 1954](https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:1954). Thus, a Muslim does not object to gratitude. The question is whether adopting a particular annual observance is a permissible social custom or an impermissible religious festival.

Is Thanksgiving an Islamic holiday?

No. Thanksgiving has no special status in the Qur’an or Sunnah. There is no prescribed Thanksgiving prayer, sermon, fast, takbir or act of worship. A Muslim must not describe it as a divinely established Islamic occasion.

Islam has two annual religious Eids:

1. **Eid al-Fitr**, celebrated after Ramadan.
2. **Eid al-Adha**, celebrated during the season of Hajj.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Every people has its festival, and this is our festival,” in reference to the Muslim Eid ([Sahih al-Bukhari 952](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:952)). Another narration explains that Allah gave the Muslims Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in place of earlier days of celebration ([Sunan Abi Dawud 1134](https://sunnah.com/abudawud:1134)).

These texts are central to the stricter scholarly view. They show that recurring festivals can express religious identity, not merely provide entertainment.

But calling Thanksgiving a public holiday on a calendar does not by itself make it a religious Eid. The key juristic question is: **How is it understood and practised in the Muslim’s actual context?**

Is Thanksgiving haram for Muslims?

There is no single ruling covering every activity that people call “Thanksgiving.” Scholars differ because they classify the modern occasion differently.

The stricter view: Muslims should not celebrate Thanksgiving

Scholars who prohibit or strongly discourage Thanksgiving generally reason that:

• it is a recurring festival originating outside Islam;
• its history contains religious thanksgiving observances;
• adopting its distinctive customs can resemble participation in a non-Muslim festival;
• Muslims already have their own Eids;
• repeatedly celebrating it may gradually give it the emotional and social status of an Eid.

According to this approach, a Muslim may use the public holiday for rest or visit relatives without marking Thanksgiving itself. A family could meet on another day or have an ordinary meal without Thanksgiving decorations, rituals or festival language.

The permissive view: a civic family gathering may be allowed

Other scholars distinguish modern American Thanksgiving from a religious holy day. They observe that many Americans—including people of different religions and no religion—treat it as a national family custom. Under this view, a Muslim may join a lawful meal or organise a family gathering if:

• the family does not treat Thanksgiving as Islamic worship;
• no creed or prayer contrary to Islam is recited;
• gratitude is directed to Allah;
• the food and entertainment are halal;
• obligatory prayers are not missed;
• the gathering does not involve alcohol, gambling or indecency;
• participation supports family ties, neighbourliness or social good.

These scholars classify the meal as an **ʿadah**—a social custom—rather than an **ʿibadah**, an act of ritual worship. The basic rule for ordinary customs is broader permissibility unless something prohibited is involved.

A cautious middle approach

Some Muslims accept the day off and family opportunity but avoid turning it into a formal annual festival. They may:

• visit relatives without religious ceremony;
• share a halal meal without calling it an Islamic celebration;
• volunteer or distribute food;
• discuss gratitude from an Islamic perspective;
• avoid themed decorations, ritualised customs and the idea that the date itself is sacred.

This approach tries to preserve both Islamic identity and family connection.

The essential point

The disagreement should be represented honestly. It is misleading to claim that all scholars permit Thanksgiving, and equally misleading to declare that every Muslim eating turkey with family has committed an act of disbelief.

The ruling depends on the nature of the act, its recognised meaning, the person’s intention and the surrounding circumstances. Intent matters, but a good intention cannot make an explicitly forbidden ritual permissible. Conversely, outward similarity does not always make two actions identical: an ordinary meal is not automatically worship.

Do Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving in the USA?

Yes, some Muslims in the USA celebrate Thanksgiving in a cultural sense, while many others do not. There is no single American Muslim practice.

American Muslim families may use the long weekend to:

• gather with parents, siblings and extended relatives;
• cook a halal turkey dinner;
• invite neighbours or converts who would otherwise be alone;
• give thanks to Allah;
• donate meals or volunteer;
• teach children about gratitude;
• rest, travel or enjoy lawful recreation.

Other Muslim families deliberately treat it as an ordinary day off. They may avoid the meal and explain to their children that Muslims reserve religious celebration for the two Eids.

Both patterns can be found among practising Muslims. What people happen to do is not, by itself, proof of the Islamic ruling. Muslims should learn the evidence, follow qualified scholarship and avoid condemning one another over a recognised juristic disagreement.

Do American Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving?

Many American Muslims participate in some form, but “celebrate” can mean different things.

For one family, it means a traditional turkey meal with no religious ceremony. For another, it is a day of community service. For a convert, it may be the only annual gathering with non-Muslim parents and siblings. For someone following a stricter scholarly view, it may mean nothing more than a workplace closure.

The following distinctions are useful:

How can Muslims approach Thanksgiving?

Muslims who follow a scholarly opinion permitting civic Thanksgiving participation should keep clear Islamic boundaries.

1. Direct gratitude to Allah

Thank the Creator before thanking creation. A Muslim can speak about health, family and provision while recognising Allah as the ultimate giver. Ordinary words of gratitude are enough; there is no need to invent a special Thanksgiving duʿa or ritual.

2. Protect the five daily prayers

Thankfulness is not sincere if a person abandons an obligation to attend a meal or shopping event. Check prayer times, make wudu and pray on time. Travellers should learn the relevant rules before beginning a journey.

3. Serve halal food

Turkey is not inherently haram. Its ruling depends on slaughter and preparation. Confirm that the meat is halal and check common hidden ingredients, including:

• pork sausage or bacon in stuffing;
• lard in pastry;
• non-halal stock or gravy;
• wine, sherry or other alcohol in sauces and desserts;
• gelatin of uncertain origin.

Vegetarian food is not automatically halal if it contains alcohol or prohibited additives, so reasonable care remains necessary.

4. Avoid extravagance and waste

The Qur’an commands people to eat and drink without wastefulness ([Qur’an 7:31](https://quran.com/7/31)). Enormous quantities of discarded food contradict the spirit of gratitude. Plan portions carefully, share leftovers and give generously.

5. Include people who may be alone

Converts, international students, elderly neighbours and new families may experience loneliness during national holidays. Inviting them to a lawful meal can be an act of kindness and community care.

6. Give charity without making the date sacred

Feeding people is virtuous throughout the year. A Muslim may volunteer on Thanksgiving because there is a need and an opportunity—not because Islam assigns special reward to 25 or 26 November.

7. Teach children the difference between culture and worship

Children can learn that Muslims appreciate family, food and gratitude but do not turn every national custom into a religious festival. Explain that Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha remain their Islamic celebrations.

Why do some Muslims not celebrate Thanksgiving?

People searching **“why do Muslims not celebrate Thanksgiving?”** may assume there is one universal reason. In practice, Muslims decline for several reasons:

1. **They regard it as a non-Muslim festival.** They understand recurring annual celebrations as matters of religious identity.
2. **They follow scholars who prohibit imitation in festivals.** Even if modern practice appears secular, they consider its origin and annual customs decisive.
3. **They want to protect the distinctiveness of Eid.** Children can easily give a national holiday greater emotional importance than Islamic occasions.
4. **They object to elements of its history.** Some Muslims do not want to repeat a simplified colonial story that overlooks Indigenous suffering.
5. **They simply did not grow up with it.** Muslims outside North America may have no cultural connection to Thanksgiving.
6. **They want to avoid haram surroundings.** Some gatherings centre on alcohol, non-halal meat, inappropriate entertainment or family pressure to join religious prayer.

Declining does not require rudeness. A Muslim can thank an inviter, explain briefly and suggest another day to meet.

Thanksgiving, Indigenous history and Muslim ethics

Muslims should pursue truth and justice, not comforting myths. The popular classroom story of Thanksgiving may present relations between European settlers and Indigenous peoples as simple and harmonious while ignoring dispossession, broken agreements, violence and the continuing experiences of Native communities.

Acknowledging that complexity does not require hostility toward one’s neighbours. It means teaching history honestly, listening to Indigenous perspectives and refusing to make gratitude dependent on erasing another people’s suffering.

A Muslim family that gathers may use the occasion to discuss justice, stewardship and responsibility. Gratitude should make a believer humbler and more generous—not indifferent to historical pain.

Can Muslims attend a Thanksgiving dinner?

A Thanksgiving invitation can involve parents, grandparents, neighbours, colleagues or an interfaith family. The Islamic answer depends on what will happen there.

Before accepting, consider:

1. Is the event a family meal or a religious service?
2. Will there be a prayer containing beliefs contrary to Islam?
3. Is halal food available, and can cross-contamination reasonably be avoided?
4. Will alcohol be served or made central to the gathering?
5. Can I perform my salah on time?
6. Is my purpose maintaining family ties and good relations, or adopting another religion’s rite?
7. Am I following a qualified scholarly opinion applicable to my situation?

The Qur’an permits kindness and justice toward peaceful non-Muslims ([Qur’an 60:8](https://quran.com/60/8)). The Prophet ﷺ also instructed Asma bint Abi Bakr to maintain relations with her non-Muslim mother ([Sahih al-Bukhari 2620](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:2620)). These texts matter greatly for converts and mixed-faith families.

However, maintaining kinship does not require participating in prohibited worship. A Muslim may attend a permissible meal under the view allowing it, remain silent during another religion’s prayer, or visit on a different day. Wisdom may require a case-specific answer from a local scholar.

Can Muslims cook and eat Thanksgiving turkey?

Yes—turkey is a lawful species for Muslims to eat. The meat itself must meet Islamic dietary rules.

Buying a turkey merely because it is discounted in November does not make it haram. Cooking turkey on a public holiday is also not worship by itself. The disagreement concerns whether the entire event is being adopted as a festival, not the bird.

For a halal meal:

• purchase reliably halal-slaughtered turkey;
• keep pork products out of stuffing and side dishes;
• use halal stock and gravy;
• avoid cooking wine and alcoholic flavourings;
• check gelatin and marshmallows used in desserts;
• prevent cross-contamination when sharing a kitchen.

If invited to someone else’s home, ask politely rather than assuming. A vegetarian main dish can sometimes be the simplest option, provided its ingredients are lawful.

Can Muslims say “Happy Thanksgiving”?

Because Thanksgiving is widely treated as a civic holiday, some scholars permit “Happy Thanksgiving” as a customary expression of goodwill. It does not ordinarily affirm a creed in the way that a religious formula might.

Scholars who regard the day as an impermissible festival advise Muslims not to congratulate others for it. A person following that view can use neutral language such as:

• “Enjoy the time with your family.”
• “Wishing you a peaceful weekend.”
• “I hope you have a restful holiday.”
• “Thank you—I appreciate your kindness.”

Muslims should not turn this disputed phrase into a test of another Muslim’s faith. The speaker’s meaning and local custom matter.

Do Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Neither Thanksgiving nor Christmas is an Islamic holiday, but scholars often distinguish between them.

Islam deeply honours Jesus—ʿIsa ibn Maryam—as the Messiah and a great prophet, but rejects the belief that he is God or the son of God. Therefore, a Muslim who permits a civic Thanksgiving dinner should not assume that the same reasoning automatically permits Christmas worship or religious celebration.

Some Muslims avoid both occasions because they apply the same general rule to all recurring non-Islamic festivals. Others participate in Thanksgiving as an American custom while declining Christmas because its theological identity is clearer. This difference should be explained accurately rather than reduced to slogans.

What do Muslims celebrate instead of Thanksgiving?

Muslims do not need an Islamic substitute for Thanksgiving because gratitude is practised year-round. Their annual religious celebrations are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Muslims also express gratitude through:

• the five daily prayers;
• saying **alhamdulillah**—all praise and thanks belong to Allah;
• sujud al-shukr, the prostration of gratitude, in circumstances recognised by Islamic law;
• charity and feeding others;
• thanking parents and people;
• using blessings responsibly;
• family meals on any lawful day;
• sharing food at Eid, weddings, an ʿaqiqah and ordinary gatherings.

A Muslim does not need to wait until November to count blessings.

Thanksgiving at school and work

Muslim children at school

School activities vary. A worksheet about gratitude is not the same as a religious prayer. A historical lesson is not the same as asking a child to affirm a creed.

Parents can:

• ask what the activity actually includes;
• permit neutral lessons on gratitude where appropriate;
• correct inaccurate historical narratives respectfully;
• request an alternative to religious worship or prohibited food;
• explain the family’s Islamic position without teaching the child contempt for classmates.

Muslim employees at work

A workplace may close for Thanksgiving or hold a seasonal meal. Having a paid day off is not religious participation. A neutral office lunch may be permissible according to the view that treats Thanksgiving as a civic custom, provided the Muslim avoids haram food, alcohol and improper conduct.

Someone following the stricter view can decline politely. Professional courtesy does not require a lengthy theological debate.

Practical options for Muslim families

Muslim families generally choose one of three approaches.

Option 1: Do not observe Thanksgiving

Treat it as an ordinary day off, maintain prayers, enjoy lawful activities and reserve annual celebration for Eid. This is the clearest approach for a person following the restrictive opinion.

Option 2: Attend only for family necessity

Visit parents or relatives to preserve kinship, but do not join a religious prayer, festival ritual or prohibited activity. Bring halal food and explain boundaries beforehand.

Option 3: Hold a halal gratitude gathering

Under the permissive opinion, gather family, thank Allah, serve halal food, give charity and avoid treating the occasion as sacred or Islamic. The emphasis should remain on lawful family connection rather than imitation, excess or consumerism.

Whichever recognised opinion a family follows, consistency matters. Do not make Eid small and Thanksgiving magnificent. Muslim children should experience Eid as a joyful, generous and memorable celebration.

Frequently asked questions

Do Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving?

Some Muslims celebrate it as a cultural family day, while others avoid it as a recurring non-Islamic festival. It is not an Islamic holiday, and scholars differ about culturally neutral participation.

Do Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving Day?

Muslim practice varies. Many American Muslims share a halal meal or visit family; others simply treat Thanksgiving Day as time off work and do not celebrate it.

Do Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving in Islam?

Thanksgiving is not prescribed by Islam. There is no Islamic Thanksgiving ritual or holy day. Any permissibility applies to lawful social customs, not to adding a religious festival to Islam.

Do Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving in the USA?

Some do, especially as a family or civic custom. Others follow scholars who advise against it. American Muslims do not have one uniform practice.

Do Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving in America?

Many participate in meals, charity or family visits, while many do not celebrate. The decision often reflects scholarly guidance, family background and what the event contains.

Do Muslims in America celebrate Thanksgiving?

Yes, some do culturally; no, Muslims do not celebrate it as an Islamic religious festival. Both statements can be true at the same time.

Do Muslims in the USA celebrate Thanksgiving?

Practices vary across communities. A Muslim household may host a halal dinner, volunteer, visit relatives or treat the day like any other public holiday.

Do American Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving?

Some American Muslims consider it part of their national culture, provided Islamic boundaries are observed. Others reject it because they understand it as a festival outside Islam.

Why do Muslims not celebrate Thanksgiving?

Some Muslims believe recurring festivals are religiously significant and should be limited to the two Eids. Others object to its origins, modern excesses or the simplified history often taught about Indigenous peoples.

Why don’t Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving?

Many Muslims do not observe it because it has no basis in the Qur’an and Sunnah and is not one of the Muslim Eids. However, not all Muslims take the same position on a civic family meal.

How do Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving?

Those who participate may serve halal food, gather family, thank Allah, give charity and avoid alcohol or non-Islamic worship. They do not perform a special Islamic Thanksgiving prayer.

Is Thanksgiving haram in Islam?

Scholars differ. Those who classify it as a non-Muslim festival prohibit it. Those who classify modern Thanksgiving as a civic custom may permit a lawful gathering with clear conditions.

Is eating Thanksgiving dinner haram?

A meal is not automatically haram because of its date. Its food, setting, meaning and activities determine the ruling. Non-halal meat, alcohol and participation in prohibited worship remain impermissible.

Can Muslims eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

Yes, if the turkey is halal. Turkey is a permissible animal; slaughter and preparation determine whether its meat is lawful.

Can Muslims attend Thanksgiving dinner with Christians?

Some scholars permit a social family meal that contains no Christian worship or other prohibited elements, especially to maintain kinship. Others advise Muslims not to participate in the festival. Complex family cases need personal scholarly guidance.

Can Muslims say “Happy Thanksgiving”?

Many scholars permit it as a civic courtesy, while stricter scholars advise avoiding festival congratulations. Neutral well-wishes are available for someone seeking the cautious course.

Is Thanksgiving a Christian holiday?

Its history includes Christian language and religious thanksgiving, but modern American Thanksgiving is also widely practised as a national civic and family holiday. This mixed character is one reason scholars differ.

Is Thanksgiving like Eid?

No. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are established through Islamic revelation and include prescribed worship. Thanksgiving is an American national holiday with no Islamic ritual status.

Do Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Neither is Islamic. Some Muslims permit cultural Thanksgiving participation but avoid Christmas because Christmas is more directly connected to Christian theology. Other Muslims avoid both.

Do Muslims celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving in the same way?

Generally, no. Thanksgiving is often understood as civic and family-centred, while Christmas is a Christian religious festival. Muslim families and scholars may therefore apply different rulings.

Can Muslim converts spend Thanksgiving with non-Muslim family?

Maintaining family ties is important. Under a recognised permissive view, a convert may attend a lawful meal while declining religious prayers and prohibited food or drink. A trusted scholar should advise where family circumstances are sensitive.

Can Muslims volunteer on Thanksgiving?

Yes. Feeding the hungry and serving the community are Islamic virtues on every day. Muslims should not believe the date itself creates a special Islamic reward.

Can Muslims go shopping on Black Friday?

Buying lawful goods at a discount is permissible in itself. Muslims should avoid waste, debt, dishonesty, fighting over products and missing salah. A sale is not a justification for extravagance.

What should Muslims say when asked what they are thankful for?

A Muslim may say they are grateful to Allah for faith, family, health, provision and other blessings. They may also thank the people through whom good came to them.

Conclusion

So, **do Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving?** Some Muslims—particularly in the United States—participate in it as a civic family custom. Others do not, because they understand it as a non-Islamic festival. Both the history of the day and its modern forms explain why respected scholars have differed.

What is certain is that Thanksgiving is not an Islamic Eid. Muslims must not attach revealed holiness or invented worship to the date. It is also certain that gratitude, family ties, generosity and feeding others are noble Islamic values.

A Muslim who follows the permissive view should keep the gathering halal, thank Allah, maintain prayer and avoid religious rites contrary to Islam. A Muslim who follows the restrictive view should decline with courtesy and continue treating relatives and neighbours well. In either case, disagreement should be handled with knowledge, humility and good character.

Primary references and further reading

• [Qur’an 14:7](https://quran.com/14/7): Allah’s promise of increase for gratitude.
• [Qur’an 2:172](https://quran.com/2/172): eating what is good and thanking Allah.
• [Qur’an 7:31](https://quran.com/7/31): prohibition of wastefulness.
• [Qur’an 60:8](https://quran.com/60/8): kindness and justice toward peaceful non-Muslims.
• [Sahih al-Bukhari 952](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:952): “Every people has its festival, and this is our festival.”
• [Sunan Abi Dawud 1134](https://sunnah.com/abudawud:1134): Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as the Muslim festival days.
• [Sahih al-Bukhari 2620](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:2620): maintaining relations with a non-Muslim parent.
• [Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi 1954](https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:1954): thanking people as part of gratitude.
• [5 U.S.C. § 6103](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section6103&num=0&edition=prelim): Thanksgiving Day among United States federal legal public holidays.

**Editorial note:** This article presents broad Islamic principles and recognised scholarly differences for educational purposes. It is not a personalised fatwa. When family, employment or religious circumstances are complex, consult a qualified scholar who understands the local context.