QUESTION:
I have read that, as Muslims, we don’t acknowledge the Kuffar on their occasions like Diwali and Christmas etc. How do we, in the corporate sector, send our clients/customers a message in such a way that it does not break the laws of Islam, yet it also serves as a message to them. A few examples would be appreciated.
ANSWER:
There is really no need to send out special greetings to customers during their religious festivals. Allama Shami Rahimahullah states that if one greets a non-Muslim in honour of him then it is Kufr. Rizq is purely from Allah Ta’ala and He will provide for us whether we send them greetings or not. Yes, we should be concerned of inviting them to the Deen of Islam so that they too can be saved from the fire of Jahannam and enter into Jannah. It is indeed sad if we enjoyed their support throughout our lives but were never concerned of their Hidaayat. In conclusion, our concern should be, how should we offer the beautiful Deen to our clients so that they too may enjoy everlasting happiness with us in the hereafter Insha’Allah, and not how to wish them well on their Kufr festivals. Ibrahim Alaihis Salaam disassociated himself from his own father due to Kufr. How can we then be pleased with their festivals? Allama Aaloosi writes in his Tafseer Roohul Ma’aani, befriending the Jews and the Christians calls towards Irtidaad – renouncing one’s Deen. Yes, there is no harm in making Dua for them by saying, “May Allah Ta’ala bless you”, with the intention of them being blessed with the Deen of Islam. However, this Dua can be made at anytime and not necessarily during the days of their festivals. May Allah Ta’ala protect us and grant us the correct understanding. Ameen!
و(وَلَوْ سَلَّمَ عَلَى الذِّمِّيِّ تَبْجِيلًا يَكْفُرُ) لِأَنَّ تَبْجِيلَ الْكَافِرِ كُفْرٌ وَلَوْ قَالَ لِمَجُوسِيٍّ يَا أُسْتَاذُ تَبْجِيلًا كَفَرَ كَمَا فِي الْأَشْبَاهِ وَفِيهَا: لَوْ قَالَ لِذِمِّيٍّ أَطَالَ اللَّهُ بَقَاءَك إنْ نَوَى بِقَلْبِهِ لَعَلَّهُ يُسْلِمُ أَوْ يُؤَدِّي الْجِزْيَةَ ذَلِيلًا فَلَا بَأْسَ بِهِ. (رد المحتار ص413 ج6)
يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَنْ يَرْتَدَّ مِنْكُمْ عَنْ دِينِهِ شروع في بيان حال المرتدين على الإطلاق بعد أن نهى سبحانه فيما سلف عن موالاة اليهود والنصارى، وبين أن موالاتهم مستدعية للارتداد عن الدين، (روح المعاني ص328 ج3)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date:- 13 Jumadal Ukhra 1445 / 27 December 2023
