I just wanted to ask you a simple question whether we muslims can greet the non-belivers on their religious occassions or not?
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
(May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked
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Assalaam
alaikum dear Brother,
I just
wanted to ask you a simple question whether we muslims can greet the
non-belivers on their religious occassions or not?
jazak
allah
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Answer:
Pagan
festivals
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask
for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever
He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that
there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that
Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Every
people have their own civilization, their culture and days of celebration. Allah and His Messenger (saws) have appointed
the two Eids for celebration in Islam, and have made every Friday a day of Eid
and celebration for the believers. For
a true believer, every day that dawns is
a Sign from our Merciful Lord, and every
day that Allah gives us life, can be a
day of celebration for us.
There is absolutely no harm if one celebrates or
congratulates one’s non-muslim friends on their personal accomplishments and
happy occasions like their marriage, the birth of their baby, or their
children’s graduation, or a promotion in their job, etc. But it would neither behove nor befit a
believer who believes in Allah and the Last Day to greet or celebrate any of
their religious occasions with them like Christmas, Easter, Diwali, Holi,
etc……for that then would be to intentionally witness a falsehood.
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 25 Surah
Furqaan verse 72:
72 (The true slave-servants
of Allah are) Those who witness no falsehood (intentionally),
and if they pass by futility they pass by it with honorable (avoidance)
In light of the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, the
jurors in Islam have listed four categories which would make any celebration or
gathering forbidden:
The pagan beliefs and religions and thus their religious
festivals are based on absolute falsehoods, and it does not behove one who
sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day as Truth to indulge in
celebrations of falsehood. To greet or
celebrate pagans on their pagan and religious days of festivals would be to
justify their false beliefs.
There are many other and better ways where a believer can
display his well-wishes towards his non-muslims friends, neighbors, colleagues,
etc. by being kind, just, honest, and always truthful with them, giving them
good advice, and being their sincere well-wisher at all times. If the believers strive with their good
character and best manners as always befits a muslim, it would go a long way in
promoting good cordial relations with their non-muslim brethren, rather than
celebrating their pagan festivals with them.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to
Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only
Source of Strength.
Your brother and
well wisher in Islam,
Burhan