The Ruling on Congratulating the Arrival of the New Year
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Is it permissible to congratulate people on the arrival of the new year?The Shaykh: Congratulating people on the arrival of the new year has no basis in the practice of the righteous predecessors, so you should not initiate it. However, if someone congratulates you, return the greeting, because this has become customary among people, even though it is becoming less common now, as people have gained knowledge, praise be to Allah, whereas previously they used to exchange messages.
The questioner: What is the formula that people exchange?The Shaykh: That they congratulate you on reaching the new year, and we ask Allah to overlook what has passed in the last year, and to help you with what is to come, or words to that effect.
The questioner: Is it said: "May every year find you in good health"?The Shaykh: No, "May every year find you in good health" is not said, neither for 'Id al-Adha nor for 'Id al-Fitr, nor for this.
The questioner: What is the formula that people exchange?The Shaykh: That they congratulate you on reaching the new year, and we ask Allah to overlook what has passed in the last year, and to help you with what is to come, or words to that effect.
The questioner: Is it said: "May every year find you in good health"?The Shaykh: No, "May every year find you in good health" is not said, neither for 'Id al-Adha nor for 'Id al-Fitr, nor for this.