Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

dear Burhan Bhai

Kindly answer these queries.

Jazakallah
Is it permissible to give gifts to non- muslins during their festivals?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Is it permissible to present gifts to non-muslims?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

If the festival of the non-muslim is pagan or polytheist (shirk) in its nature, then it would not permissible for one who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day to celebrate these non-muslim festivals with them and/or wish them or give them gifts. For example, a believer should not celebrate Christmas (because the Christians have made Jesus (a.s.) the son of Allah and worship him), or Diwali (because the Hindus celebrate the victory of Ram over Ravana), etc. These are pagan and polytheist festivals and it does not behove a believer in Allah and the Last Day to celebrate them.

But if the occasion is of a personal nature like some non-muslim got married, or had a child, or passed an exam, etc., then there is no harm in wishing and congratulating them, and giving them gifts, etc.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan