In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Media Campaign to Humiliate Muslims in their Religion

Once again Muslims are exposed to a media campaign aimed at undermining their religion and humiliating them on the one hand, and spoiling their relationship with the people who live with them from among the Non-Muslims in society on the other hand.

Media has raised the issue of Muslims participating with Christians in celebrating their festivals. Before clarifying the Shari'ah ruling on this issue and refuting such media campaign, we clearly say:

Firstly: While Islam calls for justice and kindness in dealing with the general public and abiding by the Islamic values and morals under all circumstances, however it definitely prohibits the Muslims from celebrating the festivals which are related to the beliefs (doctrines) and religions of Kuffar and there is no contradiction between the two matters.

Secondly: The Shari'ah rulings are not dependent on the whims and desires of Kuffar, neither are they subject to their media pressures nor to the vagaries of those who are In Charge of their institutions or interests or associations. What is forbidden by Muhammad (saw) is forbidden until the Day of Judgment and what is permitted by Muhammad (saw) is permitted until the Day of Judgment. And it is not permissible for anyone, whosoever he may be, to tamper with the Shari'ah rulings or twist the Shari'ah texts so as to satisfy any creature in this world or owing to fear from him.

O Muslims:

Non-Muslims from among the Christians celebrate these days for the reason that they regard it as birthday of Jesus, the son of Mary (May peace be upon them). Although the general Muslims know that celebrating the festivals of Kuffar is Haram and hence stay away from it, but what grieves the heart of a Muslim is the fact that he observes some Muslims taking part in such celebrations, either imitating them and applauding their traditions or due to their being unaware of the links between these festivals and customs and the deviant and distorted beliefs of Christians.

The Shari'ah has fixed for the Muslims their own days of festivals which are Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha, as narrated by Al Nisai on the authority of Anas (may Allah be please with him) who said: the Prophet (saw) arrived at Madinah and the people of Madinah had two days to play and celebrate therein, so he (saw) said:

«قدم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة ولهم يومان يلعبون فيهما فقال: أبدلكم الله تعالى بهما خيراً منهما، يوم الفطر والأضحى»

"Allah has replaced them with days which are better than them i.e. Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha" and by these two holidays, the festivals of Jahiliyah were nullified. These two holidays of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha are connected with the Muslims' creed which is the belief and declaration that there is only one Allah. He is worthy of being worshipped and His orders are to be followed and complied with.

On the other hand, the birthday festivals of Christians in general and Westerners in particular are the ones which emanate from their distorted and perverted doctrine regarding Jesus son of Mary (May peace be upon them) and the ancient pagan Roman traditions which became mingled with their already distorted belief about Jesus (May peace be upon him). A Muslim has no doubt that their belief is deviant from the right path and the followers of this belief are disobedient to Allah. Allah (swt) says:

(لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلاَثَةٍ) "Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity", Allah the Almighty said:

(لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ) "Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is the Messiah ['Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)." Moreover, the Christians on the occasion of their holiday decorate their houses, shops, schools and streets, and hold public and private ceremonies in churches etc. as well as exchange gifts, sing religious songs to mark this occasion.

O Muslims:

The Shari'ah has decisively forbidden the Muslims from imitating the Kuffar from among the Christians, Jews and others concerning their religious matters and ceremonies. Imam Bukhari narrated on the authority of Abu Said Al Khudri (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said:

«لَتَتَّبِعُنَّ سَنَنَ مَنْ قَبْلَكُمْ شِبْراً بِشِبْرٍ وَذِرَاعاً بِذِرَاعٍ حَتَّى لَوْ سَلَكُوا جُحْرَ ضَبٍّ لَسَلَكْتُمُوهُ. قُلْنَا: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، اليَهُودَ والنَّصَارَى؟ قَالَ: فَمَنْ؟ »

"You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch) so much so that even if they entered a hole of a mastigure, you would follow them." We said, "O Allah's Apostle! (Do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?" He said, "Whom else?" Thus the Prophet (saw) forbade from following the Jews and Christians and censured those who followed them and their ways in life, imitated them in their customs, traditions, rituals and ceremonies. And this is an unequivocal proof that it is Haram for Muslims to imitate them. The Shari'ah has confirmed this prohibition to the extent that it has described the one who imitates the Kuffar as one of them, as he (saw) said: «مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُم» "Whoever imitates a nation he is from amongst them" as narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawood.

The Muslims are, therefore, neither permitted to celebrate the festivals of Kuffar such as Christians, etc. nor are they allowed to participate in these festivals under any circumstances and whether they are being held in public or in private, in Churches, schools, or at any other place. This includes all types of rituals and manifestations related to such events/occasions in which the Muslim exhibits his celebration such as the exchange of gifts and greeting among Muslims as well as decoration of houses and shops.

O Allah! Firmly establish your Deen on the earth and strengthen Islam and Muslims.

Have we not conveyed the message? O Allah! Be our witness.