Can a Muslim celebrate non-muslim festivals?

In this article, we will understand whether it’s okay to celebrate non-Muslim festivals or not and the Islamic ruling on the topic.

As Muslims, we are allowed to celebrate Islamic festivals like Eid al-Fitr (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast) and Eid al-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice). But when it comes to non-Muslim festivals, especially religious festivals, we are not allowed to celebrate them.

In the next section we will understand more about the ruling on this matter, so let’s get started.

Can you celebrate Thanksgiving as a Muslim?

Celebrating non-Muslim festivals like Thanksgiving is haram. When it comes to greeting them on their festivals there are different opinions.

1.     The first opinion says that it’s okay to congratulate them as long as the congratulation doesn’t violate the fundamentals of Islam. Because Exchanging congratulations with non-Muslims doesn’t mean that you’re acknowledging their beliefs, but it’s a friendly manner.

Allah says in the holy Quran, “God does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes – from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, God loves those who act justly” (Quran 60: 8).

It’s also okay to greet the non-Muslims back when they greet you, as Allah said in the Quran: “And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]” (Quran 4: 86).

2.     The second view says that celebrating non-Muslim festivals or congratulating non-Muslims on their celebrations is not allowed.

Allah says in the holy Quran:

وَدَّ كَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَوْ يَرُدُّونَكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ إِيمَـٰنِكُمْ كُفَّارًا حَسَدًۭا مِّنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِهِم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۖ فَٱعْفُوا۟ وَٱصْفَحُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ ١٠٩

“Many among the People of the Book wish they could turn you ˹believers˺ back to disbelief because of their envy after the truth has been made clear to them. Pardon and bear with them until Allah delivers His decision. Surely Allah is Most Capable of everything.”

Allah Says in the Quran: {… This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. …}

The reason behind this opinion is that celebrating non-Muslim festivals means that we accept their beliefs. And as Muslims, we know

Allah says in the holy Quran: “…Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness, and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression….” [Quran 5:2].

The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a nation is but one of them.”

Celebrating festivals like Christmas Day, Halloween, and Valentine’s Day is haram because it is considered as following falsehood. And Allah said in the holy Quran:

“And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity.” [Quran 25:72].

Many scholars say that “falsehood” in this verse refers to celebrating non-Muslim festivals.

Anas narrated: “The Prophet  (peace and blessing be upon him) came to Madinah while they had two days they celebrated. The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) asked, “What are these two days?”

They said, ‘These are two days we used to celebrate in our pre-Islamic era.

The Prophet  (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “Allah has replaced them with two better days: ‘Eed Al-Adh-Haa and ‘Eed Al- Fitr.”  

A person came to the Prophet  (peace and blessing be upon him) and said: “I have taken a vow to sacrifice a camel at Buwaanah.”  

The Prophet  (peace and blessing be upon him) asked: “Did the place contain any idol worshipped in Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic times)?”

The people said: “No.”

The prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) asked: “Was any pre-Islamic festival observed there?”

They replied: “No.”

The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “Fulfil your vow, for a vow to do an act of disobedience to Allah, must not be fulfilled, neither must one do something over which a human being has no control.”

 Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn al-‘Aas said: “Whoever celebrates the Persian New Year’s Day or their carnival and imitates them till his death he will be resurrected with them on the Day Judgment.”

 From the above hadiths, we can see that it’s not allowed for Muslims to celebrate non-Muslim festivals. And they are not allowed to congratulate them either, because it’s considered like we accept their beliefs.

 Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim said: “As for congratulating the unbelievers for their rituals, it is forbidden according to the agreement of all scholars like congratulating them for their feasts and fast by expressing good wishes: happy feast or enjoy your feast… etc. If the Muslim who says this does not become a disbeliever himself, he, at least, commits a sin as this is the same as congratulating him (a non-Muslim) for his belief in the Trinity, which is a greater sin and much more disliked by Almighty Allah than congratulating him for drinking alcohol or killing a soul or committing fornication or adultery…etc.”

All the guidance and answers you need are in the Holy Quran therefore you should Learn Quran whether online or with a private tutor.

 

What holidays are allowed in Islam?

The only holidays allowed for Muslims to celebrate are the Islamic holidays which include:

•       Eid al-Fitr (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast).
•       Eid al-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice).
•       Ashura.
•       Mawlid an-Nabi, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
•       Isra’ & Mi’raj.

 

Is celebrating Diwali Haram in Islam?

Yes, celebrating Diwali is haram. Because it is a Hindu Eid where they light lamps to celebrate their goddess, Lakshmi. Celebrating such eid with them is haram and prohibited. Therefore it is haram to celebrate Diwali or wish a friend a happy Diwali.

Can we wish Eid Mubarak to non-Muslims?

Allah said in the Holy Quran:

“And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]. Indeed, Allah is ever, over all things, an Accountant” [an-Nisa’ 4:86].

It’s normal to greet back, so if non-Muslims wish you Eid Mubarak then it’s okay to wish them Eid Mubarak too. It’s just like when a non-Muslim greet you with “As-salaamu ‘alaykum (peace be upon you),” and you greet back with “Wa ‘alaykum As-salaam (and also upon you)”.

 

Is it permissible to say Merry Christmas?

No, it’s not permissible to say Merry Christmas because it’s a religious greeting. If you want to greet your non-Muslim friends then you should say “greetings for the festive season”.

Is it acceptable to attend the funeral of a non-Muslim?

Yes, attending the funeral of a non-Muslim is allowed. Imam al Nawawi said in his book (al Majmu’) “it is not a disfavored act for a Muslim to attend the funeral of a non-Muslim relative”

Is it permissible to celebrate the Islamic New Year?

The only days and holidays Muslims are allowed to celebrate are the days that the holy prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) used to celebrate. And there’s no hadith stating that the prophet used to celebrate the New Islamic year therefore we shouldn’t celebrate it.

That’s it for today’s article, I hope you found it useful. If you have any questions or if you need help we are more than glad to help you.