Fatwa ID:05073

Answered by: Maulana Nabil Khan

Question

Asalamualaikum! Currently, we own a daycare, and for the past few years, we haven’t gotten close to profit, but rather increased in loss throughout. We have noticed that our family as a whole hasn’t improved at all since we started, and our successes have only decreased since its opening. Our concern is that as a part of accreditation and licensing requirements, we have to incorporate Christmas, Halloween, and other celebrations to include multiculturalism as part of our center. Would this be permissible, and if not, would the income produced be haram? Also to add on, how would we increase the Barakat of the daycare, as we fear jealousy and the evil eye may be the cause of some of our issues?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The hadith says, “whoever resembles a group He is amongst then.” (Sunan Abi Dawud) On the basis of this hadith as well as others, the vast majority of scholars consider it impermissible to celebrate Christmas, Halloween, and any other non-Islamic celebration.

For this reason, it would not be permitted to celebrate these events with the children at your daycare. It is similar to public schools that celebrate Valentine’s day for the children, but it is not allowed for Muslim children to engage. There is no harm in removing such celebrations since even Mormons and other sects do as well. There is no need to compromise on this principle. Definitely holding fast to the way of Allah will result in more Barakah.

Allah says in the Quran, “If they had believed and been righteous we would open upon them the blessings of the sky and the earth.” Surah Al-A’raf verse 96.

Reference:

Surah Al-A’raf # 96

Sunan Abi Dawud #4031

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Nabil Khan

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham