The issue of congratulating Christians for their festivals is a question holds attention as jurists widely differed on it. This dispute is for two apparently opposing questions to this dispute.
The first question: Islam had urged Muslims to approach Christians in kindness so long as they are non-combatants, and the evidences for that are many, for example, Allah says: (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. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.), [Mumtahana: 8].
Islam marks the rules of approaching Christians that is justice in the first place, to give them their rights in full, and to act them righteously.
Islam permitted to Muslims to eat from the food of the People of the Book and marrying their women as well, Allah says: (This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you,) Al-Maedah, 5.
Marriage entails affection, love and cordiality, Allah says: (And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy), Ar-Rum, 21. it necessitates communication with the relatives of the wife who becomes in-laws which requires good terms and showing mercy toward each other.
This makes it illogic to Muslims to ignore the occasions and festivals of Christians, especially if they are neighbors or co-workers or closer like the in-laws or relatives on the maternal side .
The second question: - congratulating Christians for their festivals is a sign of approving their disbelief and void tenets and thus congratulation is a critical.
Accordingly, some jurists permitted congratulation under any circumstances based on the first question, while others prohibited it under any circumstances based on the second question.
A third view of jurists held a view in the middle which I believe to be proper.
It permitted congratulation on condition that it is free from violations to Shariah. It permitted presenting a gift if it is lawful that is not wine or nude photos on the pretext that he is a non-Muslim, since Muslims are prohibited to take part in giving gifts with things prohibited in Islam. If a Muslim went to them for congratulation at their homes, or in churches, it is not permissible for him to sit under things contradicting our beliefs as Muslims, like statues or crosses, or mixing with nude women, or other forms violating Islam.
I, Dr. Ragheb, believe that the ruling differs based on the kind of festivals that if it contradicts the Islamic creed, like Easter, then congratulation is not permissible. This is because it contradicts the Islamic creed and the text of the Quran as they claim that Jesus was crucified and resurrected from grave after three days, Allah says: (And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain), An-Nisaa, 157.
But, if festivals of non-Muslims are not of the kind violating the Muslim creed, then congratulation is permissible, since it fulfills the spirit of Islam without committing a legal offense.
Allah knows best.
Source: (Future of Christians in the Islamic state)
[1]- Book, "On Jurisprudence of Muslim Minorities" by Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, p.146-150.
[1]- Fatwas of European Council for fatwa, 27/8/2009 AD. Question: What is the ruling of congratulating non-Muslims for their festivals? Prof. Muhammad As-Sayed Ad-Dusuki (Professor of Shariah inQatarUniversity) permitted congratulation by way of neighborhood' right. Sheikh Mustafa Az-Zurqa (May Allah be merciful with him) is quoted: congratulating Muslims for their Christian acquaintances for Christmas is, on my viewpoint, permitted out of courtesy and good accompany.
[1]- Ibn Al-Qayyim: "Rulings of Ahlu-Dhimmah" 1/441, and Fatwas of Permanent Committee- First Group, Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fataawa, collected and ordered by Ahmed bin Abdul Razzaq Ad-Duwyish, a view of Ibn Taymiyah, and -Shaykh Ibn Baaz and Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen as contemporary.
[1]- A view adopted by Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, 30/12/2007 AD and the view of Prof. `Abdulsatar `Abdullah Said, professor of Tafseer inAl-AzharUniversity.
