about non-Shari'ah festivals in this age (Tree Day): Is it considered an innovation? (Unclear)
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The questioner : What is happening now in some countries regarding festivals that are not means of drawing near to Allah. Some scholars say these are innovations. They say, "This is not an innovation; we do not draw near to Allah with it, but rather it is an occasion." Is it considered an innovation?
The Shaykh : Some scholars say that it is not an innovation, meaning Tree Day, such-and-such day, and such-and-such day. They say the intention is to remind people. However, if the occasion is the inauguration of an emir over an emirate, or a president over a presidency, or a king over a kingdom, then it is done for the sake of glorification. It is done for the sake of glorification, so it is not permissible. This is because festivals cannot be established except for Shari'ah occasions. It is not permissible to establish them except for Shari'ah occasions. Non-Shari'ah occasions are not prescribed. But regarding what is mentioned about Tree Day and its like, they say that we do not take it as a festival, and therefore we do not single it out for reward; rather, it is a reminder. And it was the beginning of a practice. But in my view, if people were to abstain from it, that would be better.
The Shaykh : Some scholars say that it is not an innovation, meaning Tree Day, such-and-such day, and such-and-such day. They say the intention is to remind people. However, if the occasion is the inauguration of an emir over an emirate, or a president over a presidency, or a king over a kingdom, then it is done for the sake of glorification. It is done for the sake of glorification, so it is not permissible. This is because festivals cannot be established except for Shari'ah occasions. It is not permissible to establish them except for Shari'ah occasions. Non-Shari'ah occasions are not prescribed. But regarding what is mentioned about Tree Day and its like, they say that we do not take it as a festival, and therefore we do not single it out for reward; rather, it is a reminder. And it was the beginning of a practice. But in my view, if people were to abstain from it, that would be better.