Question:
Assalamu alaikum Syekh Gibril,
May Allah Bless your good works and grant you good health.
I have a question to ask regarding the fatwa that was given in Indonesia. Some scholars there forbid Muslims to wish their Christians neighbours and friends ‘ Merry Christmas’.
According to them, it is against our aqidah as Christmas is actually a celebration that originated from the Romans who were pagans.
I would like to know your thoughts on this matter if it is permissible/not permissible to wish them as such.
Syukran. May Allah Bless you.
Answer:
Alaykum Salam,
As for the 1981 and 2012 Indonesian fatwas that “for Muslims to wish a happy Christmas is akin to confirming the misguided teachings of Christianity”: such a claim is evidently incorrect.
In fact, Christmas wishes are merely a verbal courtesy practised at the social and local politics level, and contains little religious meaning even for Christians let alone Muslims, who are strict Monotheists.
Additionally, a nominal form of respect or customary acknowledgment of mutual festivals in mixed-religion countries goes a long way to strengthen peace and healthy inter-community relations. Sunni Muftis of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Egypt and other countries for centuries have even visited churches on such occasions, for the sake of peace and to quell national division and fitna.
Hajj Gibril Haddad
