Guidelines for Muslims Participating in the Religious Celebrations of Non-Muslims
Decision:
The 68th Muzakarah (Conference) of the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia held on 12th April 2005 has discussed the guidelines for Muslims participating in the religious celebrations of Non-Muslims. The Conference decided that:
In determining the celebrations of Non-Muslims that can be attended by Muslims, a number of criteria must be set as a guideline to avoid contradiction with the teachings of Islam. These criteria are as follows:
1. The ceremony must not be accompanied by rituals that contradict with the Islamic creed.
The phrase "contradict with the Islamic creed" means any single thing, act, speech or situation if performed will compromise the creed of a Muslim.
Examples:
i. Using religious symbols such as the Cross, lighting lamps, candles, Christmas trees and others.
ii. Singing songs of a religious nature.
iii. Putting on any symbol of a religious nature on one's forehead or other symbols on the body.
iv. Giving a speech or a sign that compliments the Non-Muslim's religion.
v. Bowing down or act in a way that indicates respect to the religious rituals of the Non-Muslim.
2. The ceremony must not be accompanied by acts that contradict with the religion.
The phrase "contradicts with the religion" means any single thing, act, speech or situation if performed will contradict with the teachings of Islam as practiced by Muslims.
Examples:
i. Wearing red clothing imitating Santa Claus or other kinds of clothing that represent a particular religion;
ii. Offering intoxicating drinks or food of a similar nature;
iii. Producing sounds such as the church or temple bells, putting up decorations on a Christmas tree or enact acts such as breaking up a coconut;
iv. Organizing events with elements of gambling, worship, incantation, superstition and others.
3. The ceremony must not be accompanied by "acts that contradict with the development of moral and culture of Muslims" in this country.
The phrase "contradict with the development of moral and culture of Muslims" means any single thing, act, speech or situation if performed will contradict with the values and norms of the Muslims living in this country who uphold the Islamic teachings based on the doctrine of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah.
Examples:
i. The uninhibited and free mixing of the sexes;
ii. Wearing skimpy clothing;
iii. Playing songs with lyrics that contain obscene and incantation elements.
iv. Organizing programmes such as beauty contest, cock fighting and others.
4. The ceremony must not be accompanied by acts that could "touch on the sensitivity of the Muslim society".
The phrase "touch on the sensitivity of the Muslim society" means any single thing, act, speech or situation if performed will hurt the feelings of Muslims with respect to their belief and practice.
Examples:
i. Speeches or songs that propagate religions other than Islam;
ii. Speeches that insult Muslims;
iii. Speeches that insult the religion of Islam;
iv. Shows intended to ridicule the religious belief of the Muslim society.
5. The organizer of the event and the public are required to obtain the viewpoint of the religious authority before organizing or attending a celebration or a ceremony of the Non-Muslims.
http://www.e-fatwa.gov.my/fatwa-kebangsaan/garis-panduan-orang-islam-turut-merayakan-hari-kebesaran-agama-orang-bukan-islam
The 68th Muzakarah (Conference) of the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia held on 12th April 2005 has discussed the guidelines for Muslims participating in the religious celebrations of Non-Muslims. The Conference decided that:
In determining the celebrations of Non-Muslims that can be attended by Muslims, a number of criteria must be set as a guideline to avoid contradiction with the teachings of Islam. These criteria are as follows:
1. The ceremony must not be accompanied by rituals that contradict with the Islamic creed.
The phrase "contradict with the Islamic creed" means any single thing, act, speech or situation if performed will compromise the creed of a Muslim.
Examples:
i. Using religious symbols such as the Cross, lighting lamps, candles, Christmas trees and others.
ii. Singing songs of a religious nature.
iii. Putting on any symbol of a religious nature on one's forehead or other symbols on the body.
iv. Giving a speech or a sign that compliments the Non-Muslim's religion.
v. Bowing down or act in a way that indicates respect to the religious rituals of the Non-Muslim.
2. The ceremony must not be accompanied by acts that contradict with the religion.
The phrase "contradicts with the religion" means any single thing, act, speech or situation if performed will contradict with the teachings of Islam as practiced by Muslims.
Examples:
i. Wearing red clothing imitating Santa Claus or other kinds of clothing that represent a particular religion;
ii. Offering intoxicating drinks or food of a similar nature;
iii. Producing sounds such as the church or temple bells, putting up decorations on a Christmas tree or enact acts such as breaking up a coconut;
iv. Organizing events with elements of gambling, worship, incantation, superstition and others.
3. The ceremony must not be accompanied by "acts that contradict with the development of moral and culture of Muslims" in this country.
The phrase "contradict with the development of moral and culture of Muslims" means any single thing, act, speech or situation if performed will contradict with the values and norms of the Muslims living in this country who uphold the Islamic teachings based on the doctrine of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah.
Examples:
i. The uninhibited and free mixing of the sexes;
ii. Wearing skimpy clothing;
iii. Playing songs with lyrics that contain obscene and incantation elements.
iv. Organizing programmes such as beauty contest, cock fighting and others.
4. The ceremony must not be accompanied by acts that could "touch on the sensitivity of the Muslim society".
The phrase "touch on the sensitivity of the Muslim society" means any single thing, act, speech or situation if performed will hurt the feelings of Muslims with respect to their belief and practice.
Examples:
i. Speeches or songs that propagate religions other than Islam;
ii. Speeches that insult Muslims;
iii. Speeches that insult the religion of Islam;
iv. Shows intended to ridicule the religious belief of the Muslim society.
5. The organizer of the event and the public are required to obtain the viewpoint of the religious authority before organizing or attending a celebration or a ceremony of the Non-Muslims.
http://www.e-fatwa.gov.my/fatwa-kebangsaan/garis-panduan-orang-islam-turut-merayakan-hari-kebesaran-agama-orang-bukan-islam
Comments
May Allah keep us steadfast upon His deen, ameen.