Most people have no valuation for the religion and as a result, they fall into such mistakes (Pt 3)

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Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-‘Uthaymeen [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said when asked about celebrating the festivals of the Kuffaar:

Congratulating the Kuffaar on Christmas or any other festivals they may have is Haraam with the agreement of the scholars (i.e. all schools of thought). This is what has been mentioned by Ibn al-Qayyim (May Allaah have Mercy on him) in his book Ahkaam ahl adh-Dhimmah. In which he said:

As for congratulating the Kuffaar when they are celebrating their festivals is Haraam with the agreement of scholars, such as one who joins in their celebrations and fasts when they fast. Those who congratulate them on their festivals by saying ‘happy festival‘ and the likes, then this person is sinful if he hasn’t fallen into Kufr.

Those who congratulate them on their festivals is one the same level of severity of those who prostrate to the cross, rather it is even worse in sin with Allaah. It is even a greater sin that drinking alcohol or murder or committing illegal sexual intercourse.

Most people have no valuation for the religion and as a result, they fall into such mistakes. They don’t even know the severity of their sin. So now we know that celebrating their festivals is a sin or an innovation or it could even be Kufr, all of which makes the person susceptible to the Wrath and Anger of Allaah. End quote.

As he has mentioned, celebrating their festivals is Haraam because it involves agreeing with their false beliefs of Kufr, and showing pleasure for their false beliefs, and if a person is happy with their beliefs then this is Kufr, in and of itself.

However, it is not permitted for the Muslim to be pleased with the symbols of Kufr and he is prohibited from this. This is because Allaah, the Most High, is not Pleased with it, as He, the Most High, says:

“If you disbelieve, then verily, Allah is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves” [az-Zumar 39:7]

And,

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”

[al-Maaidah 5:3]

So congratulating them is Haraam, whether it be a disbeliever someone may know or may work with.

If they were to join us in celebrating our festivals or congratulate us on them, then we would not accept this either, because they have nothing to do with our festivals. This is because Allaah, the Most High, is not Pleased with their festivals, either because they are innovated into their religions or it could be that it remains to be legislated practice. However, even if they celebrate a festival which correct according to their texts, then we say that their religion has been abrogated (and Allaah is not Pleased with them following this either). Allaah has Sent Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) with the religion of al-Islaam to all of creation, as He said:

“And whoever desires other than Islaam as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, is the Hereafter, will be among the losers.”[aal-‘Imraan 3:85]

From this aspect, the Muslim is not allowed to respond to their festivals by congratulating them, this is because the issue is greater than mere greetings, rather it includes being involved in their practices.

…

May Allaah give Honour to the Muslims and their religion, and Provide them with steadfastness on it, and help them and aid them against their enemies, surely He is Qawee (all-Powerful) ‘Azeez (all-Mighty).

[Majmoo’ al-Faatwaa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (2/44)]