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:

brother assalamu alaikum,
i have few non-muslim friends for whom i send new year cards .recently i heard from someone saying that it is not acceptable by allah to send cards for them.is it so?is it considered as a sin?i would be grateful if you would answer me as soon as possible.

(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:

New year cards

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 be 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.

Besides, the Islamic New Year is the first of Moharram; and that too, is not dedicated as a day of celebration! Thus, it does not behove a believer, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, to celebrate a holiday of the pagan or western culture; especially when we have our own rich and proud culture of Islam. To celebrate a day of another culture, is in fact to accept their culture… and although it may not sound like a big deal, it may just be a start for the person to start accepting foreign cultures and in time it might have an effect on his own culture.

It is indeed true that the Gregorian New Year has no religious significance; and seems harmless … but for a believer, it should not constitute a day of celebration ….as it has nothing to do with Islam and its teachings and guidance.

The believers should fear Allah, and stay away from copying or imitating a pagan culture, rites or rituals and should take no part in it whatsoever.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4020 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: He who copies any people, is one of them.

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