Safeguarding our Imaan during the kufr festive season

Cii Radio| Ayesha Ismail| 13 December 2017| 24 Rabi ul Awal 1439

Our beloved Nabi-e-Kareem Sallallahu alaihi wasallam warned us: “You will indeed follow the ways of those before you, hand span by hand span, and an arm’s length after another. Even if they enter into a lizard’s hole, you will follow them.” We (the Sahaabah) asked, “Is it the Jews and the Christians?” Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam replied, “Who else!?” (Bukhari)

“A person will be with the one whom he loved (on the Day of Resurrection).” (Hadith)

Ibn al-Qayyim Rahmatullahi alaih’s verdicts: Congratulating the Kuffaar on the rituals that belong (like Christmas, New Year, Easter) to them is prohibited by consensus, as is congratulating them on their festivals by saying ‘A happy festival to you’ or ‘May you enjoy your festival,’ and so on…”

“It is not permissible for the Muslims to attend the festivals of the disbelievers, according to the consensus of the scholars whose words carry weight.

Ibn Taymiyyah said “Imitating them in some of their festivals implies that one is pleased with their false beliefs and practices, and gives them the hope that they may have the opportunity to mislead the weak.”

Despite Ibn Taymiyyah having some wrong Aqaa’id (beliefs) which do not conform to the teachings of the Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah, nevertheless, we reproduced his verdict in this matter as what he has said here is correct.

Also, bearing in mind, there are many of his followers, hence, they can at least benefit in this correct verdict of his, Insha Allah.

Saying “Merry Christmas”, “Happy Christmas”, “Merry Xmas”, “Happy New Year” and/or wishing well and/or congratulating the Kuffar, be it to one’s domestic worker, the helper in the shop, or one’s big customer, all falls under the above warnings.

In this day and age, safeguarding our Imaan is imperative, yet it is so difficult to do so at the same time. Driving down the main road in town or the highway, or just walking into a shop to purchase daily needs, becomes almost impossible without glancing and gazing at decorative, fancy and glittering billboards and placards with “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” boldly engraved on them.

Lights, slogans, glitter and fancy ornaments, Christmas Trees and similar other Kufr trademarks occupy the entrances, exits, cashiers and other ‘can’t miss’ places in shops.

Therefore, safeguarding our Imaan, especially during the month in which Kufr activities increases, in our country, our environments, our communities, our neighbouring shops and other day-to-day places, is the need of this month.

While the Kuffaar will celebrate their Kufr, which angers Allah Ta’ala and causes a direct link to His Dreadful Wrath to be unleashed upon us at any moment, let us, on the other hand, please Allah Ta’ala by increasing Istighfaar, thereby earning the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and extinguishing His Divine Wrath.

“Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). [Hud 11:3]

Declare (O Muhammad Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) unto My Slaves, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful. [Al-Hijr 15:49]

Congratulating, wishing well and participating in the Kufr celebrations of Christmas and New Year, especially bursting fireworks, are all Haraam and akin to Kufr. Stay far away from the enemies of Allah Ta’ala during their festivals like Christmas and New Year.

Abstain from decorating our shops with such slogans and placards.

Do not wish our domestic worker and other workers well, and a Merry Christmas when they leave for holiday prior to the 25th December.

Written by: Custodians of the Haq