Non-Muslim celebrations
Question:-
It’s a matter of concern with the so-called “festive season” of the Nasaara approaching and many Muslims getting involved in the year-end parties, gifting non-Muslim colleagues, neighbours, staff etc. Muslims send greetings to Christian friends and neighbours, or wish them in person .Some Muslims also receive Christmas gifts from colleagues, employers, neighbours etc. Kindly comment on this and please advise what should one do when one works with Nasaara or lives amongst them. Should one just ignore them, or what should one say to them on their festive celebration?
It’s annoying that we do know we are not supposed to get involved in their festivities, yet Muslims are doing this. Our Muslim sisters too, in the corporate world for example, go to Christmas lunches with their bosses and colleagues,where alcohol and other Haraam items are consumed by the non-Muslims.
Answer:-
We should be extremely grateful that Allah Ta’ala blessed us with Imaan and made us from amongst the followers of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. By adopting the lifestyle of Rasullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, we will attain success in this world and in the hereafter, and contradicting the blessed lifestyle of the master Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam will lead to our failure.
Allah Ta’ala states in the Quraan Sharif,
There is definitely an excellent example in Allah’s Rasool Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam for the one who fears Allah and the last day, and who remembers Allah abundantly. [Verse 21, Surah Ahzaab]
The one who is concerned of the hereafter and life after death, will adopt the lifestyle of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, whilst the one negligent of the hereafter will adopt the lifestyle of the enemies of Islam. Hadrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu used to say, “We were the most humiliated of people, then Allah Ta’ala granted us honour through Islam, if we seek honour in other than Islam then Allah will humiliate us.”
In another verse Allah Ta’ala states, ‘And do not incline towards the wrong doers (Kuffar) for then the fire of Jahannam will reach you, and you will not have any helpers (to save you) against (the punishment of) Allah and you will not be assisted (by anyone). [Verse 113, Surah Hood]
Commenting on the above verse, Hadrat Qataadah Radiallahu Anhu states “not inclining to them,” means that you shouldn’t befriend the Kuffar and accept what they say. Imaam Qurtubi Rahimahullah states that you shouldn’t be pleased with their actions. Qaadhi Baidaawi Rahimahullah states that you shouldn’t imitate them in their appearance, their fashion and their way of life.
This ultimately means that we shouldn’t be attending year-end parties, or handing out Christmas and new year gifts, wishing non-Muslims a merry or happy Christmas or new year, or receiving Christmas gifts from colleagues, neighbours, friends etc. In many of these year-end parties, alcohol is openly consumed, music played, intermingling of sexes, females dressed in the most inappropriate manner etc. which are all Haraam. Unfortunately, for many it doesn’t stop here, rather it leads to other forms of filth and evil which requires absolutely no elaboration. These are all actions that will lead to the destruction of one’s Deen and Dunya.
In conclusion, by holding firmly onto the Kitaab of Allah and the blessed Sunnah of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, we will attain salvation in Dunya and Aakhirah. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all towards righteousness and His pleasure. Ameen!
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 13 Rabi-ul-Aakhir 1444 / 08 November 2022