The Ruling on Congratulating for Festivals Other Than 'Id al-Fitr and 'Id al-Adha

Question:
The questioner asks: What is the ruling on congratulating for festivals other than 'Id al-Fitr and 'Id al-Adha?

Answer:
There is no clear evidence for congratulating, even for 'Id al-Fitr and 'Id al-Adha. Imam Ahmad said, "I do not initiate it, but if someone initiates it with me, I respond." There is no clear evidence for it. As for congratulating for other occasions, this is not permissible, because it is an innovation.
Especially if the festival is an innovation, such as the Mawlid or other innovated festivals. There are no festivals in Islam except two: 'Id al-Fitr, after performing the pillar of fasting, and 'Id al-Adha, after performing the pillar of Hajj. Other than that, there are no festivals in Islam; they are innovations, and it is not permissible to congratulate for them, because this is an affirmation of them.

The presenter:
Yes.