The Hindu festival of Diwali marks the destruction of Mahisha by the goddess Durga, and the return of Sita and Rama after 14 years of exile to Ayodhya (an important pilgrimage site in India).
But what about Muslims who have Hindu friends? can they wish them or celebrate it with them?
Can Muslims Celebrate Diwali?
Muslims can’t celebrate Diwali as it is considered Shirk.
No, it is most definitely not. Allah has no partners. In Islam, the biggest sin is SHIRK, and Diwali is a celebration of SHIRK.
Reference:
- al-Maa’idah 5:2
- Aal ‘Imraan 3:85
- al-Maa’idah 5:51
- al-Mumtahanah 60:1
Can Muslims Wish Diwali?
Muslims are not allowed to wish Diwali as it is considered Haram.
The Prophet commands us to refrain from emulating the kuffaar and adopting their ways. As a result of participating in the celebration of the Kuffaar out of respect for such occasions, a person will be considered a kaafir.
The great jurist, Abu Hafs al-Kabeer (Rahmatullahi Alaihi), wrote: “A person who worships Allah Ta’aala for fifty years and gives an egg to a disbeliever to commemorate the Kuffaar festival will become a kaafir and lose all his righteous deeds.” Participating in a celebration without respecting and honoring the event will not result in becoming a kaafir.
In spite of this, this action would be considered makrooh-e-tahreem. According to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): He who imitates a people will be counted among them (when Allah Ta’ala looks upon him).
As a consequence, it is not permissible to wish “Happy Diwali” to non-Muslims due to the fact that one will be wishing them well in their kufr and shirk practices.
Reference:
- Fatwa by Mufti Zakaria Makada
- Sanan Ibn Dawood 4033
- Al Mukhtar 6/754
Got a question? Feel free to ask mufti and get quick answers.
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The places where sharia is not in force , and where Muslims live with non-Muslims, there is every need to keep the co-citizens in good humor. Though Muslims hate to be a Mushrik, yet to live in the society in peace, cordial relations are a must. There wishing them happiness on the occasions of their festivals without belief is NOT bad. The relations with the neighbors have been asked to be nice. Islam has given many rights to neighbors irrespective of faith. They have not be hurt even emotionally. Be on guard of your EEMAN but do not hurt the emotions of others.
Thank you for sharing your perspective, Ibrahim Khaleel. It’s important to consider the context in which Muslims live in societies with people of different faiths. Maintaining harmonious relationships and goodwill with our non-Muslim co-citizens is indeed crucial. While it is true that Muslims do not partake in the religious aspects of other faiths, it doesn’t necessarily mean we cannot acknowledge and wish them happiness on their festivals. Islam encourages us to be kind and considerate to our neighbors, regardless of their faith, and to avoid hurting their emotions.
By wishing our non-Muslim neighbors well on their special occasions, we can foster a sense of unity and respect within the community. It helps create an atmosphere of inclusivity, where people of different backgrounds can coexist peacefully. While we must always prioritize our own faith and beliefs, we should also be mindful of the emotional impact our actions may have on others.
In essence, being considerate of the feelings and emotions of others does not compromise our faith as Muslims. It is a way to exhibit the compassion and tolerance that Islam teaches us. As long as we maintain our own faith and avoid participating in activities that contradict Islamic principles, expressing goodwill and kindness towards our non-Muslim neighbors during their celebrations can contribute to a peaceful coexistence.