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Nevruz Celebrations – [Reminder to Muslims Who Participate In This Event]


In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Nevruz is a traditional spring festival. They say that it symbolizes brotherhood and peace. It is celebrated mainly in Iran, Afghanistan, India, Turkic republics such as Azerbaijan across the Caucasus region and Albania and Macedonia. It is a United Nations-recognized international cultural day, and it marks the start of a new year and is considered as a forerunner of spring. Its origins is debated. In Persian, it means “new day” and it is said to have its origins in Zoroastrianism, the religion of pre-Islamic, Persian empires. According to this religion, March 21 is considered the day of the earth’s creation and the first day of the new year. Others claim that Turks living in Central Asia were the first people to celebrate the coming of spring, the principal view of Nevruz according to Turkic tradition is the celebration of independence. It marks the day of departure from Ergenekon, where Turks were trapped for years before a blacksmith melted the rock and Asena, a grey wolf, led them to freedom.

What Is The Ruling On Celebrations Other Than The Ones Legislated In Islaam

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

This National Day (celebration is tantamount to) an imitation of Allaah’s enemies. It may have occurred due a good intention and based on a judgement made by some after striving to reach the correct verdict in an affair, but what is apparent to us is that it is not legislated and it is not from that which is befitting; rather imitation of Allaah’s enemies is found within it, even if worship is not intended by way of it. As for if worship was intended by way of it, then it would be an innovation in religion, but worship is not intended by way of it; rather what is intended is to congratulate, manifest what the country has established and done, therefore, this is considered to be similar to the other days initiated by the Jews and Christians [i.e. those amongst them who changed the religion after the departure of their Prophets] for remembrance or for other reasons. So, it is not befitting [or not permissible] to imitate them- neither in this affair nor in other than it [i.e. those affairs which the Islamic legislation has neither allowed nor legislated]. (1)

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] also said:

All of this is Munkar [i.e. considered evil in the Islamic legislation], whether for the person, his mother, his daughter or son. All this that has been newly invented – nowadays – is an imitation of the Christians or the Jews [i.e. those amongst them who changed the religion after the departure of their Prophets]. It has no basis nor a foundation [i.e. in the Islamic legislation]. Mother’s day, Father’s Day, Uncle’s Day, the day for a particular person (as celebration or congratulation), or the day for his daughter or son, then all of this is Munkaraat [considered evil in the Islamic legislation]. All of it is an innovation in religious affairs, an imitation of Allaah’s enemies and nothing from it is permissible. (2)

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

Everything that is taken as a day of day of celebration [Festival and Annual Celebrations], repeated every week and every year and is not legislated in Islaam, then it is a Bidah [i.e. religious innovation]. The evidence is because the One Who [i.e. Allaah] legislates everything [i.e. either in the Qur’aan and the authentic Prophetic Tradition] has legislated the “Aqeeqah” for the newly born baby and did not legislate anything after that. So, taking these celebrations [festivals] that are repeated every week or every year means that they [i.e. the people who do so] have likened them to Islamic festivals [days of celebrations, days set aside for religious observance] and this is forbidden- not permissible. There is nothing in Islam related to festivals [celebrations or days set aside for religious observance] except for the three: Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, and Eidul Usboo, which is Friday. (3)

Read here By Shaikh Abdul Waahid- Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him]:
Ibn Taymiyyah on Participating in the Festivals and Annual Celebrations of the Unbelievers
https://www.abukhadeejah.com/ibn-taymiyyah-on-participating-in-the-annual-celebrations-of-the-unbelievers/


 

[Ref 1: https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/2592/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9 .paraphrased]
[Ref 2: https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/26374/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AF. paraphrased]
[Ref 3: Sharh Kitaab at-Tawheed 1/382]

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