Summary and English translation of Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah’s fatwa on Muslims congratulating non-Muslims on their holidays:

This issue is without a doubt a very important and sensitive one, especially for Muslims living in the West.

Many questions have been posed to the [European] Council [for Fatwa and Research] from brothers and sisters living in those lands. They coexist with non-Muslims and have established many ties with them as part of life such as being house neighbors, working together in jobs, and studying in school together.

Sometimes a Muslim can feel the favors of the non-Muslim upon them, as in the teacher who assists Muslim students with sincerity, the doctor who treats Muslim patients also with sincerity, etc. As the saying goes, the human being is imprisoned by good treatment, and the poet said:

Do good to people and you will possess their hearts For doing good has always enslaved the human being

What is the position of Muslims in relation to non-Muslims who are peaceful with them, do not sow enmity against them, do not fight them in their religion, and have not driven them out of their homes nor have supported ones who try to do so?

The Quran has established a basis for the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims in two verses from the Book of God the Exalted, which were revealed in relation to polytheists:
“God does not forbid you to deal kindly and justly with anyone who has not fought you for your faith or driven you out of your homes: God loves the just. But God forbids you to take as allies those who have fought against you for your faith, driven you out of your homes, and helped others to drive you out: any of you who take them as allies will truly be wrongdoers.” [60:8-9]

So the two verses distinguished between those who are peaceful with Muslims and those who are not.

As for the first ones (those who are peaceful), the verse has legislated having kindness and just treatment with them. [But the Arabic words used in the verse imply more than this] because the word “qist” means justice, and the word “birr” means doing good with an extra measure of it, which is higher than justice. [The concept of] justice means you take what is rightfully yours, whereas “birr” means you concede some of your rights. In other words, justice, i.e., "qist", is to give a person their due right without any diminishment, but kind treatment, i.e., "birr", [mentioned in the verse] means you give a person more than their due right as an act of virtue.

As for the others mentioned in the second verse, they are those who have declared enmity with Muslims and fought them, and driven them out of their homes without the right to do so except for having declared:

Our Lord is God! This is what Quraysh and the polytheists in Mecca did with the Messenger (s) and his companions.

[Also, note here] that the Quran used the word for kind treatment, i.e., “birr”, for the relationship with those who are peaceful, which is the same word used for the greatest obligation upon the human being after fulfilling the right of God the Exalted; the right of “birr” towards parents.

Moreover, the permissibility of congratulating non-Muslims on their holidays is more confirmed in the case that they also congratulate Muslims on Islamic
holidays. We have been commanded to return good with good, and to respond to a greeting with one that is better than it, or at least the same as it. The Exalted said:
“But [even in battle] when you [believers] are offered a greeting, respond with a better one, or at least return it.” [4:86]

So it is not befitting for a Muslim to be less generous or have a lower status of good character than others. A Muslim is supposed to be the one who is most kind and having the noblest character as it has been transmitted in the Hadith:

“The most complete in faith among the believers are those ones with the noblest character.”

As well as the other statement of the Messenger (s): “I was only sent to complete noble character traits.”

The Prophet (s) had a noble character and a generous in relationship with the polytheists of Quraysh despite their harm towards him and gathering against him and his companions.

[Lastly] the usual words used to congratulate during these occasions do not entail acceptance or adopting of non-Muslim creed. They are simply words of courtesy that are customary during these occasions. There is also no deterrent from accepting gifts from them and rewarding them with gifts in return, because the Prophet (s) accepted gifts from non-Muslims, with the condition that these gifts are not that which would be impermissible for a Muslim, such as alcohol or swine meat.

[It should be mentioned] that we are not for Muslims celebrating the religious holidays of polytheists or People of the Book. We see some heedless Muslims celebrating Christmas the same way they celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Ad’ha, or even more. This is not permissible because we have our religious holidays and they have their religious holidays. But we do not see harm in congratulating people on their religious holidays for those who have social relationships with them.

Abdallah bin Mahfudh ibn Bayyah (born 1935) was born in Mauritania. He teaches at King Abdul Aziz University in Saudi Arabia.

He is a specialist in all four traditional Sunni schools, with an emphasis on the Maliki Madh'hab.
Bin Bayyah is involved in number of scholarly
councils including The Islamic Fiqh Council, a Saudi-
based Institute, he was also the Vice-President of
International Union of Muslim Scholars. from
which he resigned mid 2013. He is also a member of the Dublin-based European Council for Fatwa and Research, a council of Muslim clerics that aims at explaining Islamic law in a way that is sensitive to the realities of European Muslims.

He was ranked amongst the 500 most influential
Muslims from 2009 - 2013.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdallah_Bin_Bayyah

Sheikh Abdullah bin bayyah is a highly reverred scholar and i agree with most things but I disagree with him slightly here.

This line:

[Lastly] the usual words used to congratulate during these occasions do not entail acceptance or adopting of non-Muslim creed. They are simply words of courtesy that are customary during these occasions.

I believe it is best to greet with generic greetings rather than saying 'merry christmas' because the whole concept (given its origin/significance) should not be endorsed by the muslim at all.

Through the Quran, we see how Allah addresses people who ascribe sons or daughters to Him.

It does not mean, you should not be kind and generous etc but I think the words of courtesy matter and I know there are some scholars who hold this view as well.

And certainly Allah knows best.

^tbaba1234, well said! Well said!

tbaba and albaqir in agreement?!

Akindarchi:
tbaba and albaqir in agreement?!

Is it a taboo??

Nice post and very insightful. I do have a question though - what happens with if this is the case in Islamic countries, does the same apply?

slyfox5555:
Nice post and very insightful. I do have a question though - what happens with if this is the case in Islamic countries, does the same apply?

Here's a case study:
www.nairaland.com/2060516/merry-xmas-christian-brethren

AlBaqir:


Here's a case study:
www.nairaland.com/2060516/merry-xmas-christian-brethren

Thanks, very helpful

Wishing all our christian brethren a merry Christmas and happy new year in advance.

I disagre with this fatwa

You can read up Al Azhar Fatwa on Congratulating non-muslims on their festivals

https://m.facebook.com/fatwacenter.en/?refid=52&__tn__=C-R

Nonsense. #spits

It makes no sense congratulating infidels and enemies of Allah ~ Muslim logic.
A muslim can't drink water unless he first ask his cleric for permission. SMH.

Religion of peace

Nonsense!
These people likes chasing shadow!

OgologoDimkpa:
Nonsense indeed!
There is no comparison between Islam and Christianity.
Islam belongs to the stone age and retrogressive whereas Christianity is the Light of God and progressive

No true Muslim will compare Christianity to Islam. There is no basis for comparison. One worships one God while the other worships three gods with different doctrines and practices.

One promotes marriage between man and woman while the other marries two men on the altars.

What about eating the food?

Ibn Bayyah might have erred here. This 'Fatwa' is contrary to the opinion of majority of scholars. If u want to celebrate with them go ahead, some even go to their Churches... I think we've more important things than this discuss.

lilytender:


No true Muslim will compare Christianity to Islam. There is no basis for comparison. One worships one God while the other worships three gods with different doctrines and practices.

One promotes marriage between man and woman while the other marries two men on the altars.

Abi yours promotes marriage between a man and a child
You know peadophile is the order of the day in Islam. Ask Mohammed or Yerima

Greet them with bombs and by slicing their throats cause they are infidels they don't deserve to live.... Islam is light nd mohamaaaaed is his last prophet.... Islam must take over....stupid people

I can strongly say the mod that push this forward is not OK and sick


ohhh do u think this will make them accept u
by moving nonsense fatwa to the front page?


nooooo

so far u are still a Muslim it can never be possible because


they believe that u can't be equally yoked with the unbeliever


and this is very wrong







"THEY WISH THAT YOU SHOULD COMPROMISE (IN RELIGION OUT OF COURTESY) WITH THEM, SO THEY (TOO) WOULD
COMPROMISE WITH YOU." - Al Quran
By
Imam Murtadha Muhammad Gusau
Saturday, December 16, 2017
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Just, the Bestower, and peace and blessings be upon our beloved and humble Prophet Muhammad
(Peace be upon him).
Brothers and Sisters! The word Hikmah (wisdom) has been misinterpreted for too long. It means to approach the people in the best
way possible, to act in the most appropriate way, taking that particular situation into account. It has never meant to give a false
image of Islam for personal or community welfare, or in the name of Darura. When Muslims are willing to compromise in all aspects
of their life, we lose the favour of Allah, emit an image of weakness to our enemies, and lose dignity in the sight of our Creator, Allah.
The most popular catch-cry of today’s generation is the word "compromise." The weak consider it as harmless, the ignorant hold it
as beneficial, and the miss-guided count it as essential.
This conclusion may seem extreme, but that’s the reality. In Islam, there is absolutely no room for compromise. There is no evidence
that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) ever did so, nor did his Companions, or does the Quran provide scope for it. This stance also
makes rational sense to those who sincerely dwell upon this topic.
A person suffering from a heart condition would be foolish if he chose to consume half of the medicine prescribed, and then took
sugar lollies as a substitute for the rest of the tablets. Who is he cheating? Not the doctor, who sought the best possible solution for
his condition, nor the pharmacist, who supplied the medicine. The patient is the one at loss.
Surely Allah, in His Wisdom and Mercy chose Islam as the medicine for the ills of humanity and the society we live, a cure for the
cancer of interest and woes of politics, the mistreatment of women and the division of society, the nature of man and his insatiable
desires.
Why do we Compromise?
There appears to be three main reasons why people will willingly compromise in Islam, and those same people will choose those
orders Allah has enforced us to follow, according to their own desires and substitute the rest with man-made systems or man-made
desires.
1 - "We are living in hard times, in a difficult society, and thus Allah permits us to compromise, because (now wait for it)...‘Islam is
easy, not hard.’"
A Hadith also quoted is that narrated by Aisha (RA), who said that when the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had the choice between
two actions, he chose the easiest course.
True, Islam is easy to follow, but not to the extent that we are permitted to change the rules set by Allah for our own convenience.
When asked for proof for the statement we can compromise, they claim that our condition today is similar to that during the Makkan
period of the Prophet’s mission. We should bear patiently like he did then, and act as he did in those circumstance.
The fallacy of this argument stands clear when we study the reasons why the Prophet (Peace be upon him) acted as he did back
then, and how later on in his life he (Peace be upon him) acted differently. We are now living in the Madinah era, the era where the
Quran was completed. The Makkan period could be seen as a temporary stage where the Companions were trained and prepared in
that special environment. But Islam was completed, finalized with the verse:
"This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your
religion." [Quran, 5:3]
Islam was then perfected, so by retracing our steps all the way back to the Makkan era is illogical.
A cup full of fresh milk will be spoilt if only a drop of blood was to fall in it. Allah has never asked us to go beyond our capacity to
please him, thus arguments such as "I must work in a Haram field because I have no choice, or because of Darura" is an invalid
argument.
If our women must mix with men in the workplace, Allah never asked them to go to such extents. If we must agree to remove our
Hijabs because we want to become women lawyers, and it is Darura to do so, don't expect automatic forgiveness, If we eat food,
which is declared Haram, don’t expect automatic forgiveness, because no excuse remains. We have transgressed the boundaries.
Where as most people use their own rationale to substantiate their weak claims, I have the Word of Allah:
"Such is Allah, your Lord in truth. So after the truth, what else can there be, save error." [Quran, 10:32]
"It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in
their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error." [Quran, 33:36]
Respected Brothers and Sisters! Do you consider our current situation to be much worse than that suffered by the Prophet (Peace be
upon him) and his Companions, or the other Prophets before him? Surely this is the same code enjoined upon the Prophet (Peace be
upon him) and upon us. Prophet Yusuf (AS) went through many tortures, but never compromised, but instead turned to his Creator:
"O my Lord! Prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me." [Quran, 12:33]
It was not in the nature of Prophet Yusuf (AS), nor in any of the Prophets, nor in any of the righteous servants of Allah, to
compromise in order to gain some worldly benefit. Yusuf preferred jail to falling for the lusts of women.
2 - Another false argument is the apologetic one: "We want to show people a religion, which is easy and doesn’t require much effort,
not to make people run away from Islam."
In truth, people have been running to Islam because, when shown in its real light, Islam provides the solutions people have been
seeking. They do not want a mixture of Islam with the Kufr they fled. Showing Islam in a "moderate" or "soft" light will only give the
wrong image of an already perfect religion.
3 - The third argument is that we must compromise in order to strengthen Islam. We must enter and join these institutions the way
they like us to do, join hands with the non-Muslims who are our partners in this life. This way, we can spread Islam, and live happily
ever after.
VERY WRONG!!! Again, there is no proof in the Shari'ah for this view, but rather to the contrary. Surah al-Kafirun is a prime example
of this:
"Say: "Disbelievers! I do not worship what you worship, nor do you worship what I worship. I shall never worship what you worship,
neither will you worship what I worship. You have your own religion and I have mine." [Quran, 109]
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) declared his religion to be that of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham AS). The unbelievers thus
argued that there was no reason for them to leave their own beliefs and take up that of Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him), seeing
they were of the same religion. They sought to compromise with him, proposing that he should prostrate before their gods in
exchange for them prostrating before Allah, and he could demand whatever he wanted from them. This Surah was revealed in an
uncompromising tone, clearly dividing Tawhid (monotheism) from shirk (polytheism), establishing a true criterion, allowing for no
further wrangling.
This wasn’t the only situation. When the Prophet’s (Peace be upon him) uncles felt that he was getting too powerful, they tried to
bribe him with the gifts of this world. They offered him the leadership of Makkah, wealth if that was his purpose, the most charming
wife if that was what pleased him, yet he refused all these because he only desired that the truth prevailed. Under such harsh and
luring circumstances, he (Peace be upon him) commented that if the sun were to be given in his right hand, and the moon in his left,
never would he leave this cause until Allah will elevate it, or he would die striving for this cause. This was his prime opportunity; if it
were in his nature to compromise, he could have accepted the leadership, secretly hid his true convictions, and later spread Islam
after being confident and powerful enough. Rasulullah (Peace be upon him) was known as the Trustworthy and due to this fact he
(Peace be upon him) was thus able to kindle the fire of Arab nationalism and would thus have united them. They would have
responded gladly to his call, tired of their tribal warfare’s. Thereafter, he could free the Arab lands from the domination of the Romans
and the Persians. He could have easily established an Arab state in this way, instead of bearing thirteen years of pain and torture. He
could have made the people bow initially before his authority, then he could have used his position of authority to impose the belief in
the unity of Allah, and bow before the True God. This was not what Allah desired though, and that is not Islam. Islam seeks the
destruction of all forms of evil, through pure ways, through legal ways, not the manipulation of evil to reach a pure goal. This is not
possible, nor permissible.
Even in a life or death situation, we are told of the rewards if we persevere and bear patiently. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) chose to be burn
in the fire prepared by his own father, rather than to hide his religion, leave the area, and spread the Word of Allah.
If Allah (SWT) or the Prophet (Peace be upon him) have forbidden us to do something, we must believe with all our being that it is
forbidden for our benefit.
For example: Music - it is Haram (except the Duff on certain occasions, like in marriage, two Eids etc)...don’t try to change it around
to suit your desires, by saying those favourite words we hear over and over again as justification, "I know its Haram ......but..?" If the
Prophet (Peace be upon him) forbade it, that’s it, accept it, don’t try and "Islamisize" it. You can’t, unless of course you think you
know better? (Astaghfirullah, May Allah protect us from this).
Another example is the issue of Hijab we are facing today, here in Nigeria and globally: Many Muslims have even tried to "Islamisize"
this act of devotion, which has guidelines and conditions. This stance is very weak...often justified by this saying, "But, if we look
more fashionable, the non-Muslims won’t find it so hard to relate to us, or in the name of Darura." Wallahi Wrong!!, as Allah (SWT)
says in the Quran:
"Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you till you follow their religion. Say: "Verily, the Guidance of Allah, that is the
only Guidance. And if you were to follow their (Jews and Christians) desires after what you have received of knowledge (i.e. the
Quran), then you would have against Allah neither any "Wali" (Protector or Guardian) nor any helper." [Quran, 2:120]
No Excuse!
Alhamdulillah, we are provided with all the necessities of life. We have enough money to purchase Halal products and these are
available everywhere, so we need not compromise in terms of our food. We can freely wear the required clothing asked by Allah, so
we have no excuse not to. And Allah never requested us to compromise Islam to gain worldly benefits. We can choose our work, our
partners, our lifestyle, yet we consider ourselves fighting some imaginary "Jihad" of the nafs. Indeed, you never had an excuse, and
you certainly do not now, so cling to the path chosen by Allah; to all of it, for that is the only way we can dig ourselves from this
rotten though we have fallen in. We will inevitably fall if we prefer to attribute orders to Allah, which He never asked for.
"Say you (O Muhammad): ‘This is my way; I invite unto Allah with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me with sure knowledge.
And Glorified and Exalted be Allah. And I am not of the Mushrikun.’" [Quran, 12:108]
"And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not other paths, for they will separate you away from His path. This He
has ordained for you that you may become pious."
Lastly, Brothers and Sisters! This was very beneficial and a great reminder and nasiha for myself and those who want us to
compromise on the issue of our religion (especially the issue of Hijab, etc). Especially living in Nigeria where at times many Muslims
think you have to compromise and hide your religion and give in to what other people are doing. Wanting to give in to the pleasure of
this Dunya. The reminder that the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) was offered everything in this Dunya and refused it (It was great to
hear it in context with Muslims compromising their religion). How Bilal (RA) would not give in to the torture and remained firm in his
belief in Allah The Most High. Wallahi we need to remain strong and steadfast in our religion. How even Muslims and non-muslims
alike come up with these names for Muslims that are on the truth. All praise due to Allah. Islam is so beautiful, why should we feel
ashamed following the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). May Allah guide all the Muslims. Ameen.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our Noble Messenger,
Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.
Wassalamu Alaikum,
Your Brother:
Imam Murtadha Muhammad Gusau, from Okene, Kogi State, Nigeri:-) a. And can be reached via: +2348038289761 or
gusaumurtada@gmail.com

Moronic teaching and idea.
The north claims to practice sharia but it leaves the rich and wealthy untouched.

They don't sell or consume alcohol but destroy it, yet have no qualms spending money from VAT. See their hypocricy ? People without scrupples. Smsh.

My candid believe is that we all met these religions on earth and definitely just like our forefathers gone, we will all leave them on earth. I am only Muslim or Christian or Idol worshiper etc depending who gave birth to me. I may or may not change my religion upon reaching adulthood. What makes someone special if any of the religion was not interwoven in your birth. There is heart, lungs, kidney, eyes teeth, ears etc. These we are born with. How l wish religion should have been made this way in our lives right from creation. We die with these organs and left religion still on earth. Before religion, people gave birth and before religion people die. Human beings existed prior to religion. We learn how to dress with the invention of clothes by human beings. One can continue on human inventions that religions have now taken as divine instructions. Possibly if airplane was invented before the advent of religions, we would have had divine interpretation on how to use it religiously. How l wish we live peacefully with each other and stop cheating ourselves with some people feeding fat cashing on our faith and beliefs.

Why are you Muds forcing people to claim being Muslims b4 commenting? The quoran says no compulsion in religion abi una doctrine is from shekau ni?
You muds are just a disgrace, look at the comments you are even getting from your online forceful converts!

AlBaqir:
Summary and English translation of Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah’s fatwa on Muslims congratulating non-Muslims on their holidays:

This issue is without a doubt a very important and sensitive one, especially for Muslims living in the West.

Many questions have been posed to the [European] Council [for Fatwa and Research] from brothers and sisters living in those lands. They coexist with non-Muslims and have established many ties with them as part of life such as being house neighbors, working together in jobs, and studying in school together.

Sometimes a Muslim can feel the favors of the non-Muslim upon them, as in the teacher who assists Muslim students with sincerity, the doctor who treats Muslim patients also with sincerity, etc. As the saying goes, the human being is imprisoned by good treatment, and the poet said:

Do good to people and you will possess their hearts For doing good has always enslaved the human being

What is the position of Muslims in relation to non-Muslims who are peaceful with them, do not sow enmity against them, do not fight them in their religion, and have not driven them out of their homes nor have supported ones who try to do so?

The Quran has established a basis for the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims in two verses from the Book of God the Exalted, which were revealed in relation to polytheists:
“God does not forbid you to deal kindly and justly with anyone who has not fought you for your faith or driven you out of your homes: God loves the just. But God forbids you to take as allies those who have fought against you for your faith, driven you out of your homes, and helped others to drive you out: any of you who take them as allies will truly be wrongdoers.” [60:8-9]

So the two verses distinguished between those who are peaceful with Muslims and those who are not.

As for the first ones (those who are peaceful), the verse has legislated having kindness and just treatment with them. [But the Arabic words used in the verse imply more than this] because the word “qist” means justice, and the word “birr” means doing good with an extra measure of it, which is higher than justice. [The concept of] justice means you take what is rightfully yours, whereas “birr” means you concede some of your rights. In other words, justice, i.e., "qist", is to give a person their due right without any diminishment, but kind treatment, i.e., "birr", [mentioned in the verse] means you give a person more than their due right as an act of virtue.

As for the others mentioned in the second verse, they are those who have declared enmity with Muslims and fought them, and driven them out of their homes without the right to do so except for having declared:

Our Lord is God! This is what Quraysh and the polytheists in Mecca did with the Messenger (s) and his companions.

[Also, note here] that the Quran used the word for kind treatment, i.e., “birr”, for the relationship with those who are peaceful, which is the same word used for the greatest obligation upon the human being after fulfilling the right of God the Exalted; the right of “birr” towards parents.

Moreover, the permissibility of congratulating non-Muslims on their holidays is more confirmed in the case that they also congratulate Muslims on Islamic
holidays. We have been commanded to return good with good, and to respond to a greeting with one that is better than it, or at least the same as it. The Exalted said:
“But [even in battle] when you [believers] are offered a greeting, respond with a better one, or at least return it.” [4:86]

So it is not befitting for a Muslim to be less generous or have a lower status of good character than others. A Muslim is supposed to be the one who is most kind and having the noblest character as it has been transmitted in the Hadith:

“The most complete in faith among the believers are those ones with the noblest character.”

As well as the other statement of the Messenger (s): “I was only sent to complete noble character traits.”

The Prophet (s) had a noble character and a generous in relationship with the polytheists of Quraysh despite their harm towards him and gathering against him and his companions.

[Lastly] the usual words used to congratulate during these occasions do not entail acceptance or adopting of non-Muslim creed. They are simply words of courtesy that are customary during these occasions. There is also no deterrent from accepting gifts from them and rewarding them with gifts in return, because the Prophet (s) accepted gifts from non-Muslims, with the condition that these gifts are not that which would be impermissible for a Muslim, such as alcohol or swine meat.

[It should be mentioned] that we are not for Muslims celebrating the religious holidays of polytheists or People of the Book. We see some heedless Muslims celebrating Christmas the same way they celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Ad’ha, or even more. This is not permissible because we have our religious holidays and they have their religious holidays. But we do not see harm in congratulating people on their religious holidays for those who have social relationships with them.

but how about muslim state in nigeria collecting revenue from crude sales from christian south and muslim countries collecting aid from christain america tax payers and pork seller ....all this proclaimatioin by sheik his and that is to keep us in servitude to them and ideology...all human are creation of God we should learn to be humanly and stop all this 12 centuary concepts that lead no where but to create enmity, segregation,war bokoharm,islamic state ,racist and fascist

if it is on Christians or Muslims that'll go to heaven.. what about people who existed long before Christianity and Islam