What is the ruling on dealing with the Christians, eating their food, and their sharing in our festivals?
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The questioner : My master, your Eminence the Shaykh, may Allah prolong your life. I am a citizen of Syria, Daraa Governorate, Izraa City. I have a question and a request. My question is: What is the ruling in our country, in the city of Izraa, which is divided into two sections, a Christian section and a Muslim section? There is a group of Muslims who deal with the Christians, sharing in their joys and sorrows, eating from their food, and drinking from their drinks, and they do the same for them. And there is a group that refuses. What is the ruling of Islam in this matter?
The Shaykh : Yes. First, may Allah bless you. I and those like me are not addressed with the phrase "What is the ruling of Islam?" because we are not infallible. It should be said, for example, "What is the ruling of Islam in your view?" or "What do you say about such-and-such?" This is the first point. Second, regarding participation with these people: if the celebrations are religious, it is forbidden for us to participate in their celebrations, such as Christmas or others, because our participation in these celebrations entails approval of the disbelief they are upon. This is dangerous for a person. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "If this is not disbelief, it is more severe than approving the drinking of intoxicants and other such things". So the matter is very serious. However, if they are ordinary celebrations or general national celebrations, even if they are an innovation, they do not reach this level. And if they have not fought us in religion and have not expelled us from our homes, Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Mumtahanah 60:8] So He, the Exalted, has given us a dispensation to deal with them with kindness and benevolence, or with justice. "That you be kind to them" is benevolence, and "and be just to them" is justice. Accordingly, He forbids us from harming them as long as they have not fought us in religion and have not expelled us from our homes.
As for their sharing in our festivals, our festivals are lawful. There is no harm in their sharing in them because they are lawful and pleasing to Allah the Exalted. Therefore, they congratulate us on our festivals, but we do not congratulate them on their festivals. Did you understand?
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Very well.
The questioner : The request, my master.
The Shaykh : Yes. First, may Allah bless you. I and those like me are not addressed with the phrase "What is the ruling of Islam?" because we are not infallible. It should be said, for example, "What is the ruling of Islam in your view?" or "What do you say about such-and-such?" This is the first point. Second, regarding participation with these people: if the celebrations are religious, it is forbidden for us to participate in their celebrations, such as Christmas or others, because our participation in these celebrations entails approval of the disbelief they are upon. This is dangerous for a person. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "If this is not disbelief, it is more severe than approving the drinking of intoxicants and other such things". So the matter is very serious. However, if they are ordinary celebrations or general national celebrations, even if they are an innovation, they do not reach this level. And if they have not fought us in religion and have not expelled us from our homes, Allah the Exalted said:
Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them
لا ينهاكم الله عن الذين لم يقاتلوكم في الدين ولم يخرجوكم من دياركم أن تبروهم وتقسطوا إليهمAs for their sharing in our festivals, our festivals are lawful. There is no harm in their sharing in them because they are lawful and pleasing to Allah the Exalted. Therefore, they congratulate us on our festivals, but we do not congratulate them on their festivals. Did you understand?
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Very well.
The questioner : The request, my master.