Responding to Merry Christmas

Talibatul `ilm

What is the ruling on congratulating the disbelievers on their Christmas celebration? And how do we respond to them if they greet us with it. And is it permissible to go to the places where they are having celebrations for that purpose. And does the person (Muslim) take a sin if he does the aforementioned without any intent? Rather he only does it being courteous, or due to shyness or due to being put in an awkward situation, or due to some other reasons. And is it permissible to resemble them in this?

Answer:

Congratulating the disbelievers on their Christmas celebration or other than that from their religious holidays is not permissible according to the consensus. As was related by Ibn Al Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, in his book “The ruling on the people beneath the Muslim protection”, when he said: As for congratulating the disbelievers for…

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GIVING AND ACCEPTING CHRISTMAS GIFTS – Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah)

The Christians’ celebrating the ‘Eid of the birth of ‘Eesaa, upon him be peace, is for them. However, it is not permissible for the Muslim to participate in their holidays. They are not to give them gifts at the time of their holidays nor is it befitting to accept their gifts from them at the time of their holidays. Nor is it permissible to sell them anything which will aid them in the celebration of their holidays; all of this is incorrect. This is because it entails being pleased with that which they are upon if the person were to do so. And being pleased with Kufr and the holidays of the disbelievers is prohibited for the Muslims.

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Translated By: Raha ibn Donald Batts

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Participating in Christmas with the Kuffaar – Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz – Published by: Miraath Publications

Question: Our brother says: He notices that some of the Muslims participate along with the Christians in the Festival of the Birth, or Christmas as they call it; he hopes for some guidance regarding that.

Answer: It is not permissible for the Muslim male or female to participate with the Christians, the Jews, or other than them from the disbelievers in their holidays. Rather, it is obligatory to abandon that. This is because:

مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ

“He who imitates a people is from them.”

And the Messenger ﷺ warned us against imitating them and adorning ourselves with their mannerisms. So it is upon the believing male and female to beware of that, and not to aid in the celebration of these holidays with anything. This is because they are holidays which oppose the Legislation of Allaah and the enemies of Allaah establish them. So it is not permissible to participate in them nor to cooperate with its people or to assist them with anything; not with (giving them) tea, coffee, or anything at all; such as utensils, and the likes. Also, Allaah the Glorified says:

وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الْبرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ

Help you one another in Al­-Birr and At­-Taqwaa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. (Al-Ma’idah 5:2)

So participating with the disbelievers in their holidays is a type of helping them upon sin and transgression. Hence, it is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female to abandon that and it is not befitting for the one who has intellect to be deceived by the people in their actions. It is obligatory to ponder over the legislation of Al-Islaam and that which is has brought and to adhere to the command of Allaah and His Messenger, and not to look towards the affairs of the people. For most of the creation has no concern for the Legislation of Allaah. As Allaah the Mighty and Majestic has said:

وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ

And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allaah’s Path. (Al-An’am 6:116)

He, Glorified be He, has said:

وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly. (Yusuf 12:103)

So the holidays which oppose the Legislation, then it is not permissible to accept them, even if the people are doing it. For the believer weighs his actions and statements, and the actions and statements of the people, by the Book and the Sunnah; the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ. That which coincides with them or one of them, then it is accepted, even if the people have abandoned it. That which opposes them or one of them, then it is rejected, even if the people do it. And may Allaah grant all Tawfeeq and guidance.

Source: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/20019

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Translated by:  Raha ibn Donald Batts Translated for Miraath Publications

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Blessing of Fasting During Winter‏

Bismillahi wal Hamdullillah was Salaatu Was salaamu ‘alaa rasoolillahi,
Ammaa Ba’d:

Since this fast of Aashooraa falls within the beginning of the winter months here is a benefit concerning the virtue and blessing of fasting during winter.

Upon the authority of Anas ibn Maalik – Radhiyallahu Anhu – who said that the Messenger – Sallallahu ‘alahi was Salam said:
“Fasting during winter is the Cool Ghaneemah (spoils of war)”
(Collected by Imaamut Tabaraani in ‘Mu’jam Al Awsat’ and declared ‘Hasan’ By Shaikh Al Albaani in Silsilatul Ahaadeethus Saheehah: 1922)

Concerning the meaning of the Hadeeth Imaam Manaawi mentioned:
“Meaning it is that thing by way of which one may recieve pardon (from Allah) without difficulty, due to the shortness of the days and their coolness and there being no (pressing) need for food and drink (as is the case in the winter months)”
(At Tayseer 2/208)

He mentions elsewhere:
“Meaning that fasting during winter is resemblant to recieving spoils of war in cool periods. The factor that is present within both affairs is that one obtains benefit without effort“
(At Tayseer 2/320)

Therefore let us capitalise upon this great blessing from Allah Subhaanah and take the ease that Allah has blessed us with from his mercy.

Wa Sallallahu ‘Alaa Nabiyinaa Muhammad

Article by : Abu Hakeem Bilal Ibn Ahmad Davis

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