Holiday Greetings
Imam Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751 H)
(رحمه اللّه)
Congratulating non-Muslims on the occasion of their un-Islamic rituals which are specific to them is impermissible as unanimously agreed upon by the scholars (of Islam). An example of this is congratulating them on their holidays and fasting (or other acts of worship) saying, “have a blessed holiday or celebration”, “congratulations to you for this holiday”, or what resembles this (like merry Christmas, happy thanksgiving, happy Easter, happy new year, happy Valentines day, etc.). So if the one who congratulates them doesn’t fall into an act of disbelief (with their statement) then it is deemed impermissible (as opposed to being an act of disbelief) and equivalent to congratulating them for prostrating to the cross. In fact it is a greater sin and more hated by Allah than congratulating them for drinking alcohol, murder, or fornication etc. (from the sinful acts). There are many who have no concern (or knowledge) of Islam that do this and do not know the extent of evil that they have fallen into. Thus whoever congratulates a servant (of Allah be he Muslim or not) for their sins, innovations, or disbelief has exposed themselves to Allah’s anger and wrath.
Translated by John ‘Eesa’ Starling
Found in:
Al-Qawlul Mufeed, December 2009
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