I understand your point of view brother but didn’t Allah command us to respect and love our parents? The people who want to celebrate this holiday with their parents are not doing so to put culture before Allah. In fact, they want to honor Allah by honoring their parents as He commanded. If you have ever witnessed Thanksgiving in a non-Muslim household you will find that, in most cases, it is simply a family gathering where a meal is shared.

It is not fair to cast doubt on whether these Muslims have a “true” Muslim mindset as well. You do not know the struggles they are facing with their non-Muslim family and insha’Allah their intentions are in the right place. May Allah protect us all from that which is displeasing to Him and give us ease in that which pleases Him. May He accept the efforts of the reverts to His path, to honor their parents and may he open the eyes and hearts of their family to Islam.

JAK to Imam Suhaib for this relevant topic and for showing both views and the supporting evidence. As the child of a revert I love all my family, my non-Muslim family included, for Allah’s sake. I had recently began wondering upon this topic myself so greatly appreciate this insight.

Well said Greg. As an Australian I do not celebrate thanksgiving, as we believe it is an American tradition. My family however, get together on set dates throughout the year (I have 9 siblings spread across Australia…. A huge distance to travel), we meet on the first Sunday of every season (and other times as well) to eat, talk and generally celebrate being together and the gift Allah gave us of our family.
At Christmas the same thing occurs. Some members of my family attend church, others do not. Some celebrate “Jesus Birthday” others celebrate Turkey. All of us celebrate that God gave us a family to eat, sit and laugh with.
If I were American I would celebrate with turkey and pumpkin pie (I learned to cook it to see what all the hype in American movies was about!) thanking Allah for my family.
Thanksgiving, regardless of its origins brings families together. Thank Allah for that.

I would just like to point out that haram is not a bad word. So folks thinking it haram should not be chastised here in the comments in such a dismissive way. Also agree 100% that you need evidence to state that something is haram.

Sheikh Suhaib said “There is a legitimate scholarly difference surrounding this issue.” That means that the view it is haram is accommodated within his view of what’s valid in Islam, though the details weren’t explicitly elaborated on.

Sheikh Suhaib also stated “Those who hold it permissible also note that the statement of the Prophet ﷺ, “Our holidays are two” is not a prohibition to celebrate other holidays outside of the religious sphere.” That means that the ‘other side’ of the argument viewed this evidence as prohibiting additional holidays. Also, the context of this hadith was a celebration that was occurring in Madinah that was unfamiliar to the Prophet saws.

Doesn’t need to be haram or halal to me, but let’s not dismiss the nuances because we take a view.

“Nothing is made forbidden except with a clear text.” This is enough for the discussion.

JazkAllah khayr O H for introducing me to this wonderful scholar. His name seemed to be familiar with me and I thought: Is this the scholar who contributed to Jumuah Magazine Fatwa Section and surely he was after a Google search.
This IS the real scholar that American Muslims should be taking Fatwas from not apologists.
I respect alot Imam Suhaib but I would not agree with all of his Fatwas especially on controversial issues like this one.

Masha Allah. This is the true mindset of a Muslim.
S/he prefers to please Allah in place of set of rules, cultures, system, etc.