Question Summary:
Can I hang a star similar to a Christmas decoration in my house for a purpose other than celebration?

Question Detail:

 
One of my relative gifted my daughters a creative work,which consists of papers which could be coloured and painted as per creativity and joined together to make a paper star.After painting and joining the star ,now we want to hang the star inside our home by fitting a light inside.This is just to encourage our daughters of their creative work and no other intention.Will this act be constituted as mushabahat to Christians during Christmas?Please clarify.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Islām is averse to any type of Mushabahah (imitation) with the Kuffār, more so in issues related to their religious elements. Rasulullāh Sallallāhu Alayhi Wa Sallam has mentioned:
مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ [1]
“One who imitates a nation will be from amongst them.” 
On many circumstances, Rasulullāh Sallallāhu Alayhi Wa Sallam prevented his companions from certain actions due to the mere fact that such actions were prevalent in other religions. Hence, carrying out such actions would lead to imitating them. Shari’ah has laid such emphasis on distancing ourselves from the traits of other religions that at times, due to this reason, it prohibits certain actions that would be permissible or preferable under general circumstances.
For example, the Ahādīth mention that Rasulullāh Sallallāhu Alayhi Wa Sallam at times wore his ring on the right hand and at times on the left. Therefore, it would be permissible to wear it on either hand. However, there was a time when ‘Ulamā had disliked the wearing of a ring on the right hand as this had become a trait of some deviated sects, hence, it would lead to imitating them.[2] It is evident how Shari’ah distances itself not only from the practices of other religions, but also from the practices of the deviated sects of Islām.
Therefore, the gifting of such an item in the festive season in itself is inappropriate, although the intention maybe noble. At such a festive time when the environment is saturated with decorations, advertisements and posters propagating the message of the Kuffār, we as Muslim parents should distance our children from any such activity which is in any way linked to the religious elements of the Kuffār.
We understand your noble intention of encouraging and motivating your children by appreciating their work. It is a very good sign of love and parenting. However, the method you wish to adopt is inappropriate i.e. hanging the star in the house, as this is the practice of the Kuffār during these days. Secondly, whilst you may have noble intentions, consider what a visitor to your home would think upon seeing such décor.
Therefore, hanging décor in your home would be inappropriate at such a time. You may find an alternative way of motivating your children.
 
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Nabeel Valli
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net