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

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [والذين لا يشهدون الزور – And those who do not witness falsehood..]. [Surah Al-Furqan. Aayah 72]

Abu Maalik and Ad-Dahhaak said that الزور – falsehood – means Shirk. Ad-Dahhaak reported from Ibn Abbaas it was an idol of the idol worshippers. Rabee Bin Anas said that it is the festivals of the polytheists. Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyyah said that it is music. Layth reported from Mujaahid who said, “They do not listen to music”. (1)

Shaikhul Islaaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated:

وأمَّا أعيادُ المشركين: فجَمَعتِ الشُّبهةَ والشَّهوةَ، وهي باطلٌ؛ إذ لا مَنفعةَ فيها في الدِّينِ، وما فيها مِن اللَّذَّةِ العاجِلةِ، فعاقبتُها إلى ألَمٍ، فصارتْ زُورًا، وحُضورُها: شُهودُها، وإذا كان اللهُ قدْ مدَحَ ترْكَ شُهودِها الَّذي هو مُجرَّدُ الحُضورِ برُؤيةٍ أو سَماعٍ؛ فكيفَ بالموافَقةِ بما يَزيدُ على ذلك، مِن العمَلِ الَّذي هو عمَلُ الزُّورِ، لا مُجرَّدُ شُهودِه؟!

As for the festivals of of the polytheists, they combine between Shubhah [an affair that resemble truth but is falsehood in reality] and Shahwah [vain or impermissible desires], and it is falsehood, so there is no benefit in it in relation to religion, and what is in it of immediate pleasure, its end result will be pain. Therefore, being present (where it is established) and witnessing it is tantamount to falsehood. And when it is case that Allaah praises (the one) who abandons witnessing it, which is merely being present, seeing or hearing, then how about being in agreement with what is more than that, such as the deeds that are tantamount to falsehood and not just witnessing it?” (2)

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] was asked: In the coming days, the unbelievers will celebrate their festivals, some of which are Christmas, New Year’s Day, and so on. I am in a government department, and with us are some Christians who have been given leave to attend and celebrate their festivals. I saw congratulations and good wishes from some people, a Muslim man, in the speeches that were addressed to them (in relation to this festival), just as greeting cards are distributed and printed throughout the country, sold in many public bookshops; so is there any advice on this and a statement of the Islamic ruling?

The answer: This is not permissible. Congratulating the unbelievers) by way of speech during their festivals, or by phone or printed cards, all of this is evil (a) and it is not permissible for a Muslim to (do so), neither in Muslim countries nor in non-Muslim countries. Neither does he congratulate them during their festivals nor participate in them, nor does he work with them to aid them in that, because this is tantamount to aiding (someone) upon falsehood; therefore, he neither joins them nor help them (in this affair), nor congratulate them on their false festivals (b). (3)

Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him] asked us a precise question few minutes ago as follows, “Saying ‘Happy Eid Milad’ permissible?!” We replied, “No one who claims to be a follower of the Sunnah would say ‘yes’ to this”. He said, “It (i.e. Christmas) is bidah even in their religion. So at the least it is like congratulating Sufis on Eid Milad An-Nabiy, except that Christmas represents clear open Kufr”. [End of quote] Read more here regarding the fact that Christmas is a bidah even in the religion of Christians: The Pagan Roots of Christmas and how a Muslim should behave during this Season: https://abukhadeejah.com/the-pagan-roots-of-christmas-and-how-a-muslim-should-behave-during-this-season/

Therefore, if what Arab News has attributed to Dr Mohammed Al-Issa is true, then there is no doubt that he is not left with any excuse other than to accept and confirm the fact that Christmas is a Bidah just as Eid Milad is a Bidah. Therefore, the reason above is not in need of consensus nor is there room for difference of opinion because it is very clear to everyone who desires guidance in this affair, even though Arab News carries on fishing in the murky waters and hiding behind personalities to obtain corrupt and unjustified concessions in the name of tolerance, moderation and reformation. https://salaficentre.com/2022/12/26/1-arab-news-hides-behind-personality-at-muslim-world-league-dr-mohammed-al-issa-to-distort-islam/

Finally, all praise and thanks be to Allaah, all the above does not negate peaceful coexistence with non-Muslims. Must read articles below.

The Islamic Shariah on the Foundation of Muslim Relations With Non-Muslims Who Do Not Show Aggression and Hostility: http://www.shariah.ws/articles/szsumlh-the-foundation-of-muslim-relations-with-non-muslims-who-do-not-show-aggression-and-hostility.cfm

http://www.shariah.ws/articles/nmsdfkp-islam-and-the-muslims-are-free-and-innocent-of-the-kharijite-extremists.cfm

Living With non-Muslims in the West with fine conduct- By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him]: https://abukhadeejah.com/living-with-non-muslims-in-the-west-with-fine-conduct/

Informing The Authorities of Terrorist Plots – By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him]: https://masjidfurqan.co.uk/2014/07/03/informing-the-authorities-of-terrorist-plots-by-ustaadh-abu-khadeejah-may-allaah-preserve-him/

Al-Allaamah Salih Aal Ash-Shaikh: Shariah Calls for Protection of Life and Property: http://www.shariah.ws/articles/csuslgk-shaikh-salih-aal-ash-shaikh-shariah-calls-for-protection-of-life-and-property.cfm

Al-Allaamah Salih Al-Fawzan: The Islamic Shariah Provides Security for Muslims and Non-Muslims and Those Who Violate It Are Kharijites Who Are to Be Fought and Severely Punished

http://www.shariah.ws/articles/duviqgl-shaykh-salih-al-fawzan-the-islamic-shariah-provides-security–for-muslims-and-non-muslims-and-those-who-violate-it-are-kh257rijites-who-are-to-be-fought-and-severely-punished.cfm

The Prophet of Islam would not kill diplomats, ambassadors, emissaries or foreign delegations even if they were sent by the worst of his enemies

The Prophet of Islam would not kill diplomats, ambassadors, emissaries or foreign delegations even if they were sent by the worst of his enemies.

To be continued InShaaAllaah

Footnotes: (a & b)– Judged to be evil and false by the final infallible divine revelation. Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-Uthaymeen stated: “That is because either it is a celebration that they have innovated into their religion or it is one that is legislated in their religion but was abrogated with the advent of the religion of Islam which the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was sent with to the whole of mankind. It was regarding this that Allah said, “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter, he will be one of the losers.” (Āli ‘Imrān 3:85) Therefore, to accept an invitation from them at Christmas is forbidden because to participate with them (in a Christmas meal) is even more severe than congratulating them.” (Majmū’ Fatāwā 3/45-46, abridged). [Shared by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah (may Allaah preserve him)]

[Ref 1: Ref 1: Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer page 1024. 1st Edition 1424AH (2002). Publisher: Maktabah Al-Islami and Daar Ibn Hazm]

[Ref 2: Iqtidaa As-Siraat Al-Mustaqeem 1/483. paraphrased]

[Ref3:https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/21240/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%86%D9%89%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87%D9%85. paraphrased

السؤال: 

في الأيام القريبة القادمة يحتفل الكفَّار بأعيادهم التي منها: عيد الكريسمس، وعيد رأس السنة، وغيرها، وأنا في دائرةٍ حكوميةٍ، معنا بعض النَّصارى أعطوا إجازات لحضور وإقامة أعيادهم، ورأيتُ في الخطابات التي وُجِّهت لهم التَّهنئة والتَّبريك من بعض الناس، من رجلٍ مسلمٍ، كما أنَّ كروت التَّهاني تُوزَّع وتُطبع في البلاد، وتُباع في كثيرٍ من المكتبات العامَّة، فهل من نصيحةٍ حول هذا، وبيان

الحكم الشرعي؟ وفَّقكم الله، وسدَّد خُطاكم

الجواب:

هذا لا يجوز، تهنئة الكفَّار بأعيادهم مُشافهةً، أو من طريق الهاتف –التليفون- أو بأوراقٍ تُطبع، كل هذا منكر لا يجوز من المسلم، لا في بلاد الإسلام، ولا في غير بلاد الإسلام، لا يُهنِّئهم بأعيادهم، ولا يُشاركهم فيها، ولا يعمل معهم فيها ويُعينهم عليها؛ لأنَّ هذه إعانة على الباطل، فلا يشترك معهم، ولا يُعينهم، ولا يُهنّئهم بأعيادهم الباطلة.