Celebrating World Teachers' Day
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Fatwa No. ( 21609 )
Q: Among the trials that Muslims face today is what has come to them from various religions with beliefs and customs that contradict the Shari'ah of Allah. This includes civil holidays and annual celebrations for various occasions. Concerned teachers have been distressed by the global celebration in which all the nations of the earth participate, known as World Teachers' Day. Muslims have differed on this, with some permitting it and others forbidding it, because it has become an annual celebration on a specific, unified day. During it, students, teachers, parents, and the school administration deliver speeches on the virtues of the teacher and distribute gifts from students to teachers. The celebration may include some food and drink, and some may exchange greetings by saying, "May you be well every year," and other things that are not customary or recognized in the Shari'ah. We hope
that you would be kind enough to clarify the ruling on this and the ruling on participating in it.
A: It is not permissible to establish or celebrate innovative holidays, nor to participate in them or congratulate their people on the occasion; for this is cooperation in sin and transgression. Allah has mentioned that among the characteristics of the slaves of the Most Merciful is that they[Al-Furqan 25:72] meaning: they do not attend the holidays of the disbelievers, as stated in the exegesis of this noble verse. Whether they are called holidays, days, or occasions, names do not change realities. The Muslims have only two noble holidays: 'Id al-Fitr and 'Id al-Adha. Therefore, it is obligatory to abandon these innovations and the holidays of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance, including World Teachers' Day. May Allah guide everyone to act in accordance with His Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and to abandon innovations and newly invented matters. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: Among the trials that Muslims face today is what has come to them from various religions with beliefs and customs that contradict the Shari'ah of Allah. This includes civil holidays and annual celebrations for various occasions. Concerned teachers have been distressed by the global celebration in which all the nations of the earth participate, known as World Teachers' Day. Muslims have differed on this, with some permitting it and others forbidding it, because it has become an annual celebration on a specific, unified day. During it, students, teachers, parents, and the school administration deliver speeches on the virtues of the teacher and distribute gifts from students to teachers. The celebration may include some food and drink, and some may exchange greetings by saying, "May you be well every year," and other things that are not customary or recognized in the Shari'ah. We hope
that you would be kind enough to clarify the ruling on this and the ruling on participating in it.
A: It is not permissible to establish or celebrate innovative holidays, nor to participate in them or congratulate their people on the occasion; for this is cooperation in sin and transgression. Allah has mentioned that among the characteristics of the slaves of the Most Merciful is that they
do not testify to falsehood
لاَ يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.