IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
THE THIRD KHUTBAH OF JUMADA AL-AKHIRAH, DATED 18/6/1446H (20TH DECEMBER 2024)
TOPIC: THE RULING ON THE CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS AND THE PROHIBITION OF IMITATING NON-MUSLIMS
THE FIRST SERMON
Praise be to Allah, who guided us to Islam, and blessed us with faith. He made disbelieving and disobedience hateful to us. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, alone with no partners, for whom is the dominion and praise, and He is capable of everything. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the bearer of glad tidings and the warner, the luminous lamp. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, companions, and those who follow his guidance until the Day of Resurrection.
Afterwards:
O people, fear Allah by obeying His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. Love Him by doing what pleases Him. Know that Allah, the Almighty, has bestowed upon you a complete and comprehensive Shari’ah that covers all the needs of both your religion and your worldly affairs. Our Lord, the Almighty, has made happiness in both this world and the Hereafter conditional upon following it and adhering to its guidance. He says: (فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدايَ فَلا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ} (سورة البقرة 38) { فَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشقَىٰ)
{So whoever follows My guidance will not go astray and will not be miserable.} (Surah Taha 123)
This Shari’ah is the straight path, the path of those upon whom Allah has bestowed His grace: the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. Whoever deviates from it follows the path of those who have incurred Allah’s wrath and those who have gone astray, such as the Jews, Christians, and polytheists.
Brothers in Islam:
There are clear texts from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (PBUH) that strictly prohibit imitating non-Muslims in any of their practices, whether related to worship, dealings, ethics, or customs that contradict the Islamic Shari’ah, including clothing and appearance that are specific to them. Allah the Almighty says:
(ثُمَّ جَعَلنَٰكَ عَلَىٰ شَرِيعَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلأَمرِ فَٱتَّبِعهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِع أَهوَاءَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعلَمُونَ)
{Then We have made you [O Muhammad] follow a legislation [Shari’ah] of the matter, so follow it, and do not follow the desires of those who do not know.} (Surah Al-Jathiya 18)
And He says:
(وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ أَهوَاءَ قَومٍ قَد ضَلُّواْ مِن قَبلُ وَأَضَلُّواْ كَثِيرًا وَضَلُّواْ عَن سَوَاءِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ)
{And do not follow the inclinations of those who have gone astray from among the people of the Book, and have led many others astray, and have strayed from the soundness of the way.} (Surah Al-Ma’idah 77)
There are also noble hadiths that prohibit imitating non-Muslims, such as the narration by Ibn Abbas, who reports that the Prophet (PBUH) said on the Day of Ashura:
“Oppose the Jews and fast the ninth and tenth [of Muharram].” (Ahmad and Abu Dawood)
And from Ibn Umar, who narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Oppose the polytheists: trim the mustache and leave the beard.” (Bukhari)
The Prophet (PBUH) was always keen on opposing them, so much so that the Jews remarked:
“This man (Muhammad) does not leave anything of our practices except that he opposes us in it.”
(Muslim and Ahmad)
The report narrated by Ibn Umar says: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Hadith, narrated by Abu Dawood and Ahmad).
O Muslims, festivals are a religious matter, not a worldly custom, and they are among the most prominent rites of nations, as Allah, the Exalted, says:
{ لِّكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلنَا مَنسَكًا هُم نَاسِكُوهُ فَلَا يُنَٰزِعُنَّكَ فِي ٱلأَمرِ وَٱدعُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ إِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ هُدٍى مُّستَقِيمٍ} (سورة الحج 67)
{For every nation We have appointed a rite which they observe, so do not let them dispute with you over the matter. And invite to your Lord. Indeed, you are upon a straight guidance.} (Surah Al-Hajj 67)
Ibn Abbas said: “It refers to the festival.” Others said: “It refers to the sacrifice they perform, and the blood they spill.” (Refer to: Jami’ al-Bayan by Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, 18/679).
This is also supported by the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: “Indeed, every nation has its own festival, and this is our festival.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
The disbelievers during the pre-Islamic period used to play during two days each year, engaging in actions that displeased Allah. When Islam came, Allah replaced those two days with days in which His glorification, praise, and oneness are declared, widely displayed to upset the polytheists.
Anas said: When the Messenger of Allah arrived in Madinah, the people had two days on which they used to play. He asked, “What are these two days?” They replied: “We used to play on these days in the days of ignorance.” The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Indeed, Allah has replaced them with something better than them: the Day of Sacrifice and the Day of Fitr.” (Narrated by Al-Nasa’i. Also see: Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood by Al-Ayni, Book of the Time to Go to Eid, 4/477).
How can you, O Muslim, allow yourself to pollute your pure and clear belief in “There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” by participating in the celebrations of the Christians (Christmas), which are associated with the greatest disbelief? The mountains, heavens, and the earth almost burst asunder and collapse when they hear such words, as Allah, the Almighty, told us in His Noble Book:
{ وَقالُوا اتَّخَذَ الرَّحْمنُ وَلَداً (88) لَقَدْ جِئْتُمْ شَيْئاً إِدًّا (89) تَكادُ السَّماواتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنْشَقُّ الْأَرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ الْجِبالُ هَدًّا (90) أَنْ دَعَوْا لِلرَّحْمنِ وَلَداً (91) وَما يَنْبَغِي لِلرَّحْمنِ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَ وَلَداً (92) إِنْ كُلُّ مَنْ فِي السَّماواتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَاّ آتِي الرَّحْمنِ عَبْداً (93) لَقَدْ أَحْصاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا (94) وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ فَرْداً (95)}
{And they say, “The Most Merciful has taken a son.” You have certainly done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom, and the earth splits open, and the mountains fall in devastation, that they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful to take a son. There is none in the heavens and the earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant.} (Surah Maryam 88-93).
O Muslims, these mountains, heavens, and the earth react with such a tremendous reaction against those who attribute a son to Allah, the Exalted. How is it then that Muslims, whom Allah has guided to the correct faith and pure belief, can partake in the festivals and celebrations of the Christians and disbelievers, in their polytheism and disbelief, where they deify Jesus (peace be upon him) and his mother, the truthful one, and revere the cross, idols, and the Christmas tree?
Allah, the Exalted, says:
{ لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ قُلْ فَمَنْ يَمْلِكُ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئاً إِنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُهْلِكَ الْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَأُمَّهُ وَمَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعاً وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُما يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ}
{They have certainly disbelieved those who say, “Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary.” Say, “Then who could prevent Allah if He intended to destroy the Messiah, the son of Mary, or his mother, or everyone on the earth?” And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and everything between them. He creates what He wills, and Allah is over all things competent.} (Surah Al-Ma’idah 17).
Thus, it is not permissible for Muslims to share in or imitate the disbelievers in any aspect of their festivals, whether in food, clothing, bathing, lighting fires, holding feasts, giving gifts, selling items that assist in their festivals, allowing children or others to engage in their celebratory activities, displaying decorations, or attending their celebrations. Rather, their festival day should be just like any other day for Muslims, with no special significance.
Several of the early scholars have explained the verse: {And those who do not witness falsehood} (Surah Al-Furqan 72), stating that this refers to the festivals of the disbelievers (see: Tafseer Ibn Kathir, 6/130). Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As said: “Whoever imitates the practices of foreign nations, celebrates their Nowruz (Persian New Year) and their festivals, and resembles them until he dies in that state, will be resurrected with them on the Day of Judgment.” (See: “Al-Fatawa al-Kubra” by Ibn Taymiyyah, 2/488).
I say these words, and I ask Allah to forgive me and you and all the Muslims for our sins. So, ask for His forgiveness; indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
THE SECOND SERMON:
All praise is due to Allah, by His grace, those who are guided have been guided. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone with no partners, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, send blessings upon Your servant and Messenger Muhammad, and upon his family and companions, who hold firmly to his guidance, and grant them abundant peace.
Afterwards, O people, fear Allah as He should be feared. And hasten to His forgiveness and His pleasure. Allah says: {And race to forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous} (Surah Aal Imran 133).
O Muslims: It has become customary every year to witness discussions surrounding the issue of congratulating non-Muslims on their festivals, especially Christmas. This has become one of the contentious topics that resurfaces each year. Here, we find two prominent groups among contemporary scholars regarding the legal ruling on this matter:
The first group: They base their argument on several texts to assert the prohibition of congratulating non-Muslims on their festivals. Some even claim that doing so constitutes disbelief. They also claim that this prohibition is the consensus of the four major Islamic schools of thought, and that no one from the earlier scholars has permitted it. They mention that Imam Ibn Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) stated the consensus on the prohibition of such greetings. He said: “As for congratulating them on their specific religious rituals, such as congratulating them on their holidays or their fasting, saying ‘Blessed Eid to you,’ or ‘Congratulations on this holiday,’ or the like, this is prohibited by consensus. Even if the speaker is not guilty of disbelief, it remains prohibited, and it is akin to congratulating them on their prostration to the cross. In fact, it is a greater sin in the sight of Allah and more detestable than congratulating them on drinking alcohol, killing a soul, or committing unlawful acts.” (See: “Ahkam Ahl al-Dhimmah” 1/441).
The Second Group: This group holds the view that it is permissible to congratulate non-Muslims on their festivals. They refer to general texts that advocate kindness to the People of the Book and good treatment of them. They argue that the permissibility of marrying them requires showing goodwill toward them and congratulating them. This group attempts to prove the existence of an old scholarly disagreement on this issue and supports their stance with the fatwas of contemporary scholars like Rashid Rida and those who followed him, such as Sheikh Mustafa al-Zarqa, Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, and others. They argue that faith and disbelief should not be involved in this issue, as it is a practical (juridical) matter rather than a theoretical (doctrinal or theological) one. Furthermore, it is seen as a matter of subsidiary rulings, not fundamental ones, and therefore does not necessitate takfir (declaring someone a disbeliever).
In the fatwas of the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta (Fatwa number 3670) and the fatwa of Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, it was stated that there is no legal objection to congratulating non-Muslims on their festivals and occasions. This does not constitute a departure from the religion; in fact, it is part of good manners. As Islam has permitted marriage to women of the People of the Book, allowing them to raise the children of their Muslim husbands while remaining in their faith, it is unlikely that the husband and their children would be considered to have fallen into sin or disbelief for congratulating her. What is prohibited in Islam is resembling or agreeing with actions and beliefs that Islam forbids or contradicts its established principles.
Brothers in Islam:
We can consider three possibilities for congratulating non-Muslims on their festivals:
- The first possibility: Congratulating them with approval of their beliefs. Islam forbids this, and even prohibits such approval.
- The second possibility: Congratulating them without approval, which happens when the congratulation is given for a permissible reason, such as necessity or need, or in the presence of a legitimate interest, such as the right of neighbors, kinship ties, or family relations, or for reasons related to special relationships like marriage, and so on.
- The third possibility: There is no intention at all, and the congratulation is considered a customary act that does not require an intention. In this case, it is regarded as part of good manners and kindness in dealing with others, and an expression of the tolerance of Islam, without implying agreement with their beliefs.
Thus, O esteemed listeners, this matter is left to the intentions of those who are responsible, after considering the three possible scenarios mentioned above.
Thus, the duty – O servants of Allah – is to be cautious and to warn against participating in the festivals of the disbelievers. Indeed, Allah has granted us alternatives to fill the void and occupy our time with what is much better and more beneficial. Among these alternatives are the summer training camps that are organized at this time by various Islamic organizations, societies, and institutions, such as the camps by the The Muslim Congress, the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, the Tadomunul Muslimeen Organization, the Ansarul-Deen Society Youth Wing, the Annual Conference of Dar al-Naim, the popular general gathering of the Tableegh Jamaat, and many others. In these camps, there is enough to satisfy the Muslim soul, so take advantage of these opportunities and allow your children to participate in these camps.
Dua: O Allah, benefit us with what You have taught us, teach us what benefits us, and increase us in knowledge. O Allah, we ask You for beneficial knowledge, pure sustenance, and accepted deeds. O Allah, honor Islam and Muslims, and humiliate polytheism and the polytheists. Grant victory to Your believing servants, the Mujahideen, the defenders in Gaza, Palestine, and everywhere else. O Allah, deal with the enemies of religion. O Allah, relieve the worries of the distressed, ease the troubles of the troubled. Settle the debts of those in debt, and heal our sick and the sick of the Muslims. O Allah, forgive the living and the dead among the Muslim men and women. O Allah, grant us safety in our homelands, reform our leaders and rulers, and make our country safe, secure, prosperous, and flourishing, and make all the Muslim lands so, by Your mercy, O the Most Merciful of the merciful.