Every beliefs and religion has their respective culture and customs. We know that there are celebration which take place in certain date of the year such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas Day, and Halloween.
Whenever the day of celebration comes closer, seems like the whole world take part in celebrating it. Everything is in pink, flowers, and balloons on Valentine, Christmas decoration is everywhere, and Halloween party was held here and there.
So what is the law of celebrating non-Muslims festivals in Islam?
Sad to see that even though Muslims know that celebrating a non-Islamic culture is forbidden, they still get themselves in the hype of those celebration. Here are further explanation regarding the law, according to Quranic verses and Hadith.
When non-Muslims celebrate their festivals, let them be. We, Muslims, shouldn’t be the part of it. As said by Ibn al Qayyim, congratulating the kuffar when the held a celebration, even only through words like “Happy festivals to you” is strongly forbidden. Also read How to Cure Hypocrisy in Islam
The prohibition in celebrating the non-Muslims festivals is so strong that it was mentioned in the Holy Quran.
“If you disbelieve, then verily, Allaah is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you. . .” (39:7)
Allah SWT doesn’t accept the rituals so that Muslims should follow. Neither celebrate nor congratulate them, as doing so means violating the rules Allah SWT had set.
“Whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (3:85)
Muslims interact a lot with non-Muslims in daily life. If they invite you to join them in celebrating their festivals, do reject with politeness.
Remember that Allah the Almighty doesn’t approve any of those festivals. It is all human’s innovation which has no meaning and no benefit. Also read Concept of Thanksgiving in Islam
“. . . This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion . . .” (5:3)
Some Muslims congratulate non-Muslims for their festivals, thinking that it’s not forbidden as long as they don’t take part in the celebration. However, it’s just the same. Congratulating means believing, which also means you are being disobedient to Allah SWT.
[AdSense-B]
While celebrating the non-Muslim festivals is forbidden, joining in the celebration is even worse. When you are being invited to their feast and accept it, means you are believing it and you are no difference with all those kuffar. Allah’s SWT prohibition is clear and not to be questioned. Also read History of Christmas in Islam
Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Abu Dawood)
Any Muslims who is either congratulating or celebrating non-Muslims festivals is a sinner. If you are doing it in the name of politeness and for the sake of friendship, it’s still intolerable.
If you are too shy to reject, then you are a hypocrite. Means you are not stand tall on your religion and makes them proud of theirs.
Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas is among the non-Muslims festivals which is not part of Islamic culture. As Muslims has their own outstanding culture, they shouldn’t be proud of others’. It’s not necessary for taking part in the celebration. Also read Tips for Muslim to Get Socialize in Non-Muslim Environment
Say, “Shall I inform you of [what is] worse than that as penalty from Allah? [It is that of] those whom Allah has cursed and with whom He became angry and made of them apes and pigs and slaves of Taaghoot [false deities]. Those are worse in position and further astray from the sound way.” (5:60)
Celebrating something that Allah SWT had cursed and firmly stated that it’s haram is a sinners’ doing. Even worse, it’s a sign of hypocrisy.
[AdSense-
“Many of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) wish that if they could turn you away as disbelievers after you have believed, out of envy from their ownselves, even, after the truth (that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Allah’s Messenger) has become manifest unto them. But forgive and overlook, till Allah brings His Command. Verily, Allah is Able to do all things.” (2:109)
Once again Allah SWT firmly said that celebrating things that is not part of Islamic culture is forbidden. Also read Most Destructive Sins in Islam
“And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity.” (25:72)
Most (is not all) of non-Muslims festivals is a falsehood that must be avoided at all cost.
Not only non-Muslims have festivals. In fact, Muslims have many of it. So instead of joining non-Muslims to celebrate their festivals, we better proud of our own as Muslims.
As the Prophet (peace be upon him) had said, “Allah has replaced them with two better days: ‘Eed Al-Adh-Haa and ‘Eed Al- Fitr.”
One of the main reasons why we should celebrate non-Muslims festivals is because none of it is written in the Quran. Moreover, Allah SWT has forbid us to do so.
So those are the explanation about law of celebrating non-Muslims festivals in Islam. After reading and understanding it, hopefully Muslims become aware that every kind of celebration as well as congratulation is forbidden.
We surely don’t want to be someone to whom Allah SWT unleash His wrath in exchange for temporary enjoyment in the world. May we are not the part of them.
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