Congratulating non-Muslims on their festivals

Congratulating non-Muslims on their festivals

In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful

The issue of whether or not to congratulate non-Muslims during their festivals frequently becomes a topic of controversy when the season arrives. Muslims have to balance the duty to bear witness to our faith while at the same time cultivating good relations with our non-Muslim neighbors. These two concerns sometimes exist in tension and, as in all things, we ought to take a balanced and moderate approach to the issue.

The scholars agreed that it is prohibited for Muslims congratulate non-Muslims only regarding their religious rituals that express what Islam considers to be acts of unbelief.

Ibn a-Qayyim writes:

ูˆูŽุฃูŽู…ูŽู‘ุง ุงู„ุชูŽู‘ู‡ู’ู†ูุฆูŽุฉู ุจูุดูŽุนูŽุงุฆูุฑู ุงู„ู’ูƒููู’ุฑู ุงู„ู’ู…ูุฎู’ุชูŽุตูŽู‘ุฉู ุจูู‡ู ููŽุญูŽุฑูŽุงู…ูŒ ุจูุงู„ูุงุชูู‘ููŽุงู‚ู ู…ูุซู’ู„ูŽ ุฃูŽู†ู’ ูŠูู‡ูŽู†ูู‘ุฆูŽู‡ูู…ู’ ุจูุฃูŽุนู’ูŠูŽุงุฏูู‡ูู…ู’ ูˆูŽุตูŽูˆู’ู…ูู‡ูู…ู’ โ€ฆ ูˆูŽุฅูู†ู’ ุจูู„ููŠูŽ ุงู„ุฑูŽู‘ุฌูู„ู ุจูุฐูŽู„ููƒูŽ ููŽุชูŽุนูŽุงุทูŽุงู‡ู ุฏูŽูู’ุนู‹ุง ู„ูุดูŽุฑูู‘ ูŠูŽุชูŽูˆูŽู‚ูŽู‘ุนูู‡ู ู…ูู†ู’ู‡ูู…ู’ ููŽู…ูŽุดูŽู‰ ุฅูู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ูู…ู’ ูˆูŽู„ูŽู…ู’ ูŠูŽู‚ูู„ู’ ุฅูู„ูŽู‘ุง ุฎูŽูŠู’ุฑู‹ุง ูˆูŽุฏูŽุนูŽุง ู„ูŽู‡ูู…ู’ ุจูุงู„ุชูŽู‘ูˆู’ูููŠู‚ู ูˆูŽุงู„ุชูŽู‘ุณู’ุฏููŠุฏู ููŽู„ูŽุง ุจูŽุฃู’ุณูŽ ุจูุฐูŽู„ููƒูŽ

As for offering congratulations for rituals of unbelief specific to another religion, then it is forbidden by agreement, such as congratulating them for their holidays and their fastingโ€ฆ But if a man is tried by that and he anticipates the need to repel some evil from them, then let him walk to them and say nothing but good and supplicate for them to receive guidance and direction. There is no harm in that.

Source: Aแธฅkฤm Ahl al-Dhimmah 1/441

The prohibition applies to lending support for specific religious doctrines and rituals that contradict Islamic teachings, but Ibn al-Qayyim makes an exception for Muslims to say good and kind words to non-Muslims, even to pray for their guidance and well-being.

In fact, there are three classical opinions, all of them attributed Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, on the matter of congratulating non-Muslims on their holidays, visiting them, and offering condolences.

Ibn Muflih writes:

ูˆูŽุชูŽุญู’ุฑูู…ู ุงู„ู’ุนููŠูŽุงุฏูŽุฉู ูˆูŽุงู„ุชูŽู‘ู‡ู’ู†ูุฆูŽุฉู ูˆูŽุงู„ุชูŽู‘ุนู’ุฒููŠูŽุฉู ู„ูŽู‡ูู…ู’ ูƒูŽุงู„ุชูŽู‘ุตู’ุฏููŠุฑู ูˆูŽุงู„ู’ู‚ููŠูŽุงู…ู ูˆูŽูƒูŽู…ูุจู’ุชูŽุฏูุนู ูŠูŽุฌูุจู ู‡ูŽุฌู’ุฑูู‡ู ูˆูŽุนูŽู†ู’ู‡ู ูŠูŽุฌููˆุฒู ูˆูŽุนูŽู†ู’ู‡ู ู„ูู…ูŽุตู’ู„ูŽุญูŽุฉู ุฑูŽุงุฌูุญูŽุฉู ูƒูŽุฑูŽุฌูŽุงุกู ุฅุณู’ู„ูŽุงู…ู ุงุฎู’ุชูŽุงุฑูŽู‡ู ุดูŽูŠู’ุฎูู†ูŽุง ูˆูŽู…ูŽุนู’ู†ูŽุงู‡ู ุงุฎู’ุชููŠูŽุงุฑู ุงู„ู’ุขุฌูุฑูู‘ูŠูู‘ ูˆูŽุฃูŽู†ูŽู‘ู‡ู ู‚ูŽูˆู’ู„ู ุงู„ู’ุนูู„ูŽู…ูŽุงุกู ูŠูุนูŽุงุฏู ูˆูŽูŠูุนู’ุฑูŽุถู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ุงู„ู’ุฅูุณู’ู„ูŽุงู…ู

It is narrated from Ahmad that it is forbidden to visit non-Muslims, congratulate them, or offer condolences for them in the same way it is an obligation to boycott a heretic, and it is narrated that he generally permitted these actions and also that he permitted these on the condition that there is a likely benefit in it.

Such as the hope they will embrace Islam. This last opinion is preferred by our Sheikh ibn Taymiyyah as well as Al-Ajurri and it is the opinion of the scholars that they should be visited to be presented with Islam.

Source: al-Furลซสป li Ibn Mufliแธฅ 6/270

Some scholars prohibited congratulating non-Muslims on their holidays, while others allowed it with or without conditions. The clear benefit of maintaining positive relationships with non-Muslims in an increasingly globalized world can no longer be ignored.

For this reason, many modern scholars encourage Muslims to offer kind words to their non-Muslim neighbors during the holiday seasons as long as we do not endorse their religious doctrines and rituals.

The basis for this opinion, among others, is that Islam encourages benevolence towards any non-Muslim that has not declared war on Islam.

Allah said:

ู„ูŽู‘ุง ูŠูŽู†ู’ู‡ูŽุงูƒูู…ู ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู†ู ุงู„ูŽู‘ุฐููŠู†ูŽ ู„ูŽู…ู’ ูŠูู‚ูŽุงุชูู„ููˆูƒูู…ู’ ูููŠ ุงู„ุฏูู‘ูŠู†ู ูˆูŽู„ูŽู…ู’ ูŠูุฎู’ุฑูุฌููˆูƒูู… ู…ูู‘ู† ุฏููŠูŽุงุฑููƒูู…ู’ ุฃูŽู† ุชูŽุจูŽุฑูู‘ูˆู‡ูู…ู’ ูˆูŽุชูู‚ู’ุณูุทููˆุง ุฅูู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ูู…ู’ ุฅูู†ูŽู‘ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ูŽ ูŠูุญูุจูู‘ ุงู„ู’ู…ูู‚ู’ุณูุทููŠู†ูŽ

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes, He does not forbid you from being benevolent towards them and acting justly towards them. Verily, Allah loves those who act justly.

Surat al-Mumtahanah 60:8

Ibn al-Jawzi comments on this verse, saying:

ูˆูŽู‡ูŽุฐูู‡ู ุงู„ู’ุขูŠูŽุฉู ุฑูุฎู’ุตูŽุฉูŒ ูููŠ ุตูู„ูŽุฉู ุงู„ูŽู‘ุฐููŠู†ูŽ ู„ูŽู…ู’ ูŠูŽู†ู’ุตูุจููˆุง ุงู„ู’ุญูŽุฑู’ุจูŽ ู„ูู„ู’ู…ูุณู’ู„ูู…ููŠู†ูŽ ูˆูŽุฌูŽูˆูŽุงุฒู ุจูุฑูู‘ู‡ูู…ู’ ูˆูŽุฅูู†ู’ ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽุชู ุงู„ู’ู…ููˆูŽุงู„ูŽุงุฉู ู…ูู†ู’ู‚ูŽุทูุนูŽุฉู‹ ู…ูู†ู’ู‡ูู…ู’

This verse is a dispensation to maintain relations with those who have not declared war against the Muslims and permits benevolence towards them even if they are in a separate country from them.

Source: Zฤd al-Masฤซr 8/237

Muslims are generally commanded to speak good and kind words to people.

Allah said:

ูˆูŽู‚ููˆู„ููˆุง ู„ูู„ู†ูŽู‘ุงุณู ุญูุณู’ู†ู‹ุง

And speak to people good words.

Surat al-Baqarah 2:83

Many Muslims today live in pluralistic and multicultural societies in which non-Muslims express their good wishes towards Muslims during the two Eid celebrations. The rule, in this case, is to reciprocate this kindness by sending good wishes to them during their celebrations.

Allah said:

ูˆูŽุฅูุฐูŽุง ุญููŠูู‘ูŠุชูู… ุจูุชูŽุญููŠูŽู‘ุฉู ููŽุญูŽูŠูู‘ูˆุง ุจูุฃูŽุญู’ุณูŽู†ูŽ ู…ูู†ู’ู‡ูŽุง ุฃูŽูˆู’ ุฑูุฏูู‘ูˆู‡ูŽุง

When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with one better than it or return it in a like manner.

Surat al-Nisa 4:86

And Allah said:

ู‡ูŽู„ู’ ุฌูŽุฒูŽุงุกู ุงู„ู’ุฅูุญู’ุณูŽุงู†ู ุฅูู„ูŽู‘ุง ุงู„ู’ุฅูุญู’ุณูŽุงู†ู

Is the reward for good anything but good?

Surat al-Rahman 55:60

The scholars also draw a legal analogy (qiyas) between the issue of congratulating non-Muslims and other occasions in which Muslims are clearly permitted to be kind to non-Muslims. For example, Muslims are allowed to share food with the people of scriptural religions (5:5).

Moreover, the Prophet commanded Muslims to respect the funerals of all people including non-Muslims.

Amir ibn Rabia reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

ุฅูุฐูŽุง ุฑูŽุฃูŽูŠู’ุชูู…ู’ ุงู„ู’ุฌูŽู†ูŽุงุฒูŽุฉูŽ ููŽู‚ููˆู…ููˆุง ู„ูŽู‡ูŽุง ุญูŽุชูŽู‘ู‰ ุชูุฎูŽู„ูู‘ููŽูƒูู…ู’ ุฃูŽูˆู’ ุชููˆุถูŽุนูŽ

When you see a funeral procession, then stand up for it until it passes or the deceased is placed in the grave.

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ al-Bukhฤrฤซ 1245, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi=Agreed upon its authenticity

Qais ibn Saโ€™d reported: A funeral passed by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he stood up. It was said to him, โ€œIt is a Jew.โ€ The Prophet said:

ุฃูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ุณูŽุชู’ ู†ูŽูู’ุณู‹ุง

Was he not a soul?

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ al-Bukhฤrฤซ 1250, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi=Agreed upon its authenticity

While Muslims are prohibited from praying for non-Muslims to be forgiven, as this matter is for Allah alone, any other good words of condolences and respect for the deceasedโ€™s family are encouraged.

Muslims are allowed to accept the gifts of non-Muslims during their festivals, even if they are idolaters celebrating an idolatrous holiday and particularly if this will establish diplomatic and peaceful relations. The only exception to this rule is that Muslims should not eat their meat if it was slaughtered in the name of a god besides Allah.

Ali ibn Abi Talib reported:

ูƒูุณู’ุฑูŽู‰ ุฃูŽู‡ู’ุฏูŽู‰ ู„ูŽู‡ู ููŽู‚ูŽุจูู„ูŽ ูˆูŽุฃูŽู†ูŽู‘ ุงู„ู’ู…ูู„ููˆูƒูŽ ุฃูŽู‡ู’ุฏูŽูˆู’ุง ุฅูู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ููŽู‚ูŽุจูู„ูŽ ู…ูู†ู’ู‡ูู…ู’

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was given gifts by Khosrau and he accepted them, and kings would give him gifts and he would accept them.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhฤซ 1576, Grade: Hasan=Good

Abu Qabus reported: A woman asked Aisha, โ€œWe have a nurse among the Magians and they give us gifts on their festivals.โ€ Aisha said:

ุฃูŽู…ูŽู‘ุง ู…ูŽุง ุฐูุจูุญูŽ ู„ูุฐูŽู„ููƒูŽ ุงู„ู’ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ู ููŽู„ุง ุชูŽุฃู’ูƒูู„ููˆุง ูˆูŽู„ูŽูƒูู†ู’ ูƒูู„ููˆุง ู…ูู†ู’ ุฃูŽุดู’ุฌูŽุงุฑูู‡ูู…ู’

As for the meat they have slaughtered, then do not eat it. Rather, you may eat from the fruit of their trees.

Source: Muแนฃannaf Ibn Abฤซ Shaybah 31986

Abu Barza reported: He had neighbors among the Magians who would give him gifts during their new year celebration and festivals. Abu Barza would say:

ู…ูŽุง ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ู…ูู†ู’ ููŽุงูƒูู‡ูŽุฉู ููŽูƒูู„ููˆู‡ู ูˆูŽู…ูŽุง ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ู…ูู†ู’ ุบูŽูŠู’ุฑู ุฐูŽู„ููƒูŽ ููŽุฑูุฏูู‘ูˆู‡ู

Whatever they give you of fruits, then eat it. Whatever they give you besides that, then return it.

Source: Muแนฃannaf Ibn Abฤซ Shaybah 23773

Ibn Taymiyyah comments on these traditions, saying:

ูู‡ุฐุง ูƒู„ู‡ ูŠุฏู„ ุนู„ู‰ ุฃู†ู‡ ู„ุง ุชุฃุซูŠุฑ ู„ู„ุนูŠุฏ ููŠ ุงู„ู…ู†ุน ู…ู† ู‚ุจูˆู„ ู‡ุฏูŠุชู‡ู… ุจู„ ุญูƒู…ู‡ุง ููŠ ุงู„ุนูŠุฏ ูˆุบูŠุฑู‡ ุณูˆุงุก ู„ุฃู†ู‡ ู„ูŠุณ ููŠ ุฐู„ูƒ ุฅุนุงู†ุฉ ู„ู‡ู… ุนู„ู‰ ุดุนุงุฆุฑ ูƒูุฑู‡ู…

These narrations demonstrate that non-Muslim festivals do not prevent Muslims from accepting their gifts. Rather, the rule during the festival is the same as other times since it does not involve support for their rituals of unbelief.

Source: Iqtiแธฤสผ al-แนขirฤแนญ al-Mustaqฤซm 250

Furthermore, the Prophet encouraged the Muslims to be kind and gentle in all matters. Kindness is one of the best ways to be a good example of a devout Muslim and to open peopleโ€™s hearts towards Islam. In contrast, unwarranted harshness makes matters ugly and pushes people away from Islam.

Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

ุฅูู†ูŽู‘ ุงู„ุฑูู‘ูู’ู‚ูŽ ู„ูŽุง ูŠูŽูƒููˆู†ู ูููŠ ุดูŽูŠู’ุกู ุฅูู„ูŽู‘ุง ุฒูŽุงู†ูŽู‡ู ูˆูŽู„ูŽุง ูŠูู†ู’ุฒูŽุนู ู…ูู†ู’ ุดูŽูŠู’ุกู ุฅูู„ูŽู‘ุง ุดูŽุงู†ูŽู‡ู

Verily, kindness is not found in anything except that it beautifies it, and it is not removed from anything except that it disgraces it.

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ Muslim 2594, Grade: Sahih=Correct

In another narration, the Prophet said:

ู„ุง ูŠูŽูƒููˆู†ู ุงู„ู’ุฎูุฑู’ู‚ู ูููŠ ุดูŽูŠู’ุกู ุฅูู„ุง ุดูŽุงู†ูŽู‡ู ูˆูŽุฅูู†ูŽู‘ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ูŽ ุฑูŽูููŠู‚ูŒ ูŠูุญูุจูู‘ ุงู„ุฑูู‘ูู’ู‚ูŽ

Harshness is not found in anything except that it disgraces it. Verily, Allah is kind and He loves kindness.

Source: al-Adab al-Mufrad 462, Grade: Sahih=Correct

Based upon all this, modern scholars encourage Muslims to be kind to non-Muslims during their festivals and to express good wishes for them on the condition that we do not support any specific religious ritual or doctrine that is idolatrous.

Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah, the Egyptian institution that issues learned religious judgments (fatwa), concluded their investigation of this issue by stating the following:

ูˆู…ู…ุง ุฐูƒุฑ ู…ู† ุงู„ุขูŠุงุช ุงู„ูƒุฑูŠู…ุฉ ูˆุงู„ุฃุญุงุฏูŠุซ ุงู„ู†ุจูˆูŠุฉ ุงู„ุดุฑูŠูุฉ ูˆุขุฑุงุก ุงู„ูู‚ู‡ุงุก ู†ุฑู‰ ุฃู†ู‡ ู…ู† ุงู„ุฅุญุณุงู† ุฃู† ูŠุตู„ ุงู„ู…ุณู„ู… ุบูŠุฑ ุงู„ู…ุณู„ู… ุนู„ู‰ ูƒู„ ุญุงู„ ู…ู† ุนูŠุงุฏุฉ ูˆุชุนุฒูŠุฉ ูˆุชู‡ู†ุฆุฉ ูˆุฅู‡ุฏุงุก ูˆุถูŠุงูุฉ ูˆู‚ุจูˆู„ ู‡ุฏูŠุฉ ูˆู…ุง ุฅู„ู‰ ุฐู„ูƒ ูˆุฃู† ู‡ุฐุง ุงู„ุดุฃู† ุฃุญุฏ ุฃุดูƒุงู„ ุงู„ุฏุนูˆุฉ ุฅู„ู‰ ุฏูŠู† ุงู„ู„ู‡ ุจุญุณู† ุงู„ุฃุฎู„ุงู‚ ูˆู…ูƒุงุฑู… ุงู„ุฎุตุงู„ ูˆุงู„ู„ู‡ ุชุนุงู„ู‰ ุฃุนู„ู‰ ูˆุฃุนู„ู…

As for what we have mentioned of noble verses, prophetic traditions, and opinions of the jurists, our view is that it is a matter of benevolence (ihsan) that a Muslim maintain good relations with non-Muslims in every circumstance including festivals, condolences, congratulations, giving gifts, hospitality, and accepting gifts.

What is more, this is one of the ways to invite them to the religion of Allah by good character and noble manners. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

Source: Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah

In conclusion, Muslims are permitted to offer kind words and good wishes to non-Muslims during their festivals with the only restriction being that we should not endorse specific acts in their religion that contradict Islam. We are called to be witnesses to the truth of our religion, while at the same time being kind, compassionate, and having good relations with all other people.

Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.