Christmas Cards

assalam,can you please give me the fatwa about giving christmas cards to non muslims just to keep good relations with neighbors, with the dalaail and hawaalah.

jazakallah and may Allah accept your efforts.

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Allah has stated in the Holy Quran “worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor who beg, the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer, and those (slaves) whom your right hands posses. Verily, Allah does not like such as proud and boastful.” (Surah An-Nisa, V36)

The Prophet  said: The best friend in the sight of Allah is he who is the well-wisher of his companions, and the best neighbour is one who behaves best towards his neighbours. (Tirmidhi. 120)

The status of the neighbour and the importance of having a good relationship is apparent from the above. However it is not permissible for a Muslim to participate in a non-Muslim event e.g. giving Christmas cards, attending Christmas parties and plays etc. The reason behind this is that, by taking part in their religious functions and activities, one will be indirectly approving their beliefs and/or religion. The Prophet  forbade Muslims to even offer salah at the time of sunrise, midday and sunset, for there was an element of resembling the sun worshippers.

The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever imitates a nation will be amongst them.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, no. 4031). Therefore, Muslims should abstain from imitating and resembling the non-Muslims and therefore, to give Christmas cards to non-Muslims will not be permissible.

Allah knows best

S Rahman

Darul Ifta Birmingham