If the teachers are Hindus, should the students congratulate them on their festivals?
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Fatwa number ( 19991 )
Q: All our teachers are Hindus, and we encounter many of their festivals and religious occasions. All the students greet and congratulate them on these occasions, and we feel awkward when we do not greet them. What should we do? Should we offer the greeting or not? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
A: It is not permissible for a Muslim to participate with disbelievers, such as Hindus and others, in their festivals and occasions, or to express joy and approval of them, or to offer greetings and congratulations to them on that occasion; because of the resemblance to the enemies of Allah in their forbidden acts that contradict the religion of Islam, and because of the cooperation in sin and aggression, bringing them joy, showing affection to them, increasing their numbers, and elevating their status. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Ma'idah 5:2] , and it is authentic from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Sunan Abi Dawud 4031Hasan Sahih (Al-Albani)
Narrated by Imam Ahmad in (his Musnad) and Abu Dawud in (his Sunan). And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: All our teachers are Hindus, and we encounter many of their festivals and religious occasions. All the students greet and congratulate them on these occasions, and we feel awkward when we do not greet them. What should we do? Should we offer the greeting or not? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
A: It is not permissible for a Muslim to participate with disbelievers, such as Hindus and others, in their festivals and occasions, or to express joy and approval of them, or to offer greetings and congratulations to them on that occasion; because of the resemblance to the enemies of Allah in their forbidden acts that contradict the religion of Islam, and because of the cooperation in sin and aggression, bringing them joy, showing affection to them, increasing their numbers, and elevating their status. Allah the Exalted said:
And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِHe who copies any people is one of them.
من تشبه بقوم فهو منهمNarrated by Imam Ahmad in (his Musnad) and Abu Dawud in (his Sunan). And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.