Khilafah’s Policy Towards Religious Celebrations of Disbelievers

By: Shamsuddin Ramadan An Nawiy

Khilafah is a country that stood on faith and Islamic law. The Islamic Aqeedah is the foundational principle of the state, and Islamic law is the only law to regulate the affairs of the state and its people. The Islamic Khilafah will not adopt or preach ideas and laws that are contrary to Islam. Although the Khilafah must accommodate the diversity of religions and beliefs other than Islam, treat disbelievers with justice, and fulfill their rights and their needs with kindness, it does not however imply that the Islamic Khilafah will provide support for the spread of religion and belief than Islam, in the form of anything.

Therefore, the Khilafah is not only tasked with looking after the affairs of muslim community (ri’ayah suunil ummah), but also has the obligation to invite the disbelievers into Islam. The Khalifah and state officers who are Muslim, like other Muslims, were given the same responsibilities in terms of da’wa and are bound by Shari’a law. Therefore, the prohibition on providing assistance and engaging in disbeliever’s religious activities-like worship and celebrations of their religion, is not only for Muslims in general, but also applicable to the Khalifah and state officers .

As for the Khilafah policy against disbelievers’ religious celebrations, it can be detailed as follows:

First, the Khilafah prohibits Muslims to celebrate or get involved in the celebration of the disbelievers, whatever its form. The reason is that Islam forbids Muslims in engaging in unbelievers’ religious celebrations. Companions such as Ibn Abbas, Abdullah ibn Umar and his successors, such as Mujahid, Mohammad Ibn Sirin, and so on, stated that the believer is forbidden to celebrate the celebration of the idolaters. “[Imam Qurthubiy, Tafsir Qurthubiy, juz 13, p. 79; Imam Ibn Kathir, TafsirIbn Kathir, juz 3, p. 329-330]. Some jurists also held similar opinion regardingthe saying of Allah in Quran al-Furqan: 72. Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal said, “Muslims have been forbidden to celebrate the feast of the Jews and the Christians. Muslims are also forbidden to enter churches and places of their worship. “[IbnTamiyyah, Iqtidla ‘al-Shiraath al-Mustaqeem, hal.201].

Imam Bayhaqi said: “If the Muslims are forbidden to enter the church, let alone celebrate.” [Ibn Tamiyyah, Iqtidla ‘al-Shiraath al-Mustaqeem, hal.201] Imam al-Amidi and Qadli Abu Bakr al-khalal states, ” Muslims are forbidden to go out to witness the feast of pagans and polytheists. “[Ibn Tamiyyah, Iqtidla ‘al-Shiraath al-Mustaqeem, hal.201-202] Al-Qadliy Ya’la Abu al-Fara’ said,” the Muslims have been forbidden to celebrate the feast of pagans or idolaters “. [Ibn Tamiyyah, Iqtidla ‘al-Shiraath al-Mustaqeem, hal.181] Imam Malik said, “Muslims have been forbidden to celebrate the feast of unbelievers or infidels, or give something (gift), or to sell something to them, or riding their vehicle used to celebrate. While eating the food served to us is makruh (detested), whether it was delivered to us or wasinvited. “[Ibn Tamiyyah, Iqtidla ‘al-Shiraath al-Mustaqeem, hal.230-231].

In the glorious era of Islam, the Islamic government from the time of Prophet,  did not allow Muslims to celebrate the feast of the people of the Book and the polytheists. Prophet Muhammadonce said about the feast of the disbelievers, “Everyracehasits ownfeast day. Eidul-Fitr ist he feast of us. “[HR. Bukhari from ‘A’ishah]

When commenting on the feast of the Persians, the Messenger ofAllah said, “Allah has replaced two days with better than these two days (nairus and naharjan: the feast oft he Persians), ie Eid and Eid al-Adha.: [HR. Abu Dawud, Turmudzi, Nasaa’iy, and Ibn Majah]

These narrations indicate clearly that the Prophet had forbidden the Muslims to celebrate or get involved in the celebration of the feast of the disbelievers.

During the reign of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khathab, he banned Muslims to celebrate within fidels. Imam Baihaqiy narrated a history with authenticated chain (saheeh isnaad)from ‘Atha’ bin Dinar, that Umar once said, “Do not learn the languages of the people Ajam. Do not go to church of idolaters on their feast day. VerilyAllah’s wrath willcome upon themon that day.”. [HR. Imam Baihaqiy]

The reality above shows that since the the time of companions ra, Islam has forbidden the Muslims to get involved in the celebration of the feast of unbelievers, whatever its form. Getting involved here include deeds; congratulations, present in the streets to watch or look at the celebration of pagans, send greeting cards, and so forth. Festivals here include all festivals, the celebration of their saints, and all things associated with the celebration of the pagans, idolaters and people of the Book.

Second, the Khilafah provides penalties for Muslims who engage in religious celebrations of disbelievers. The content and form of sanction is left to the discretion of the judge because the violations in this matteris a case of discretionary punishment (ta’zir).

Third, the Khalifah would not prohibit or hinder the pagans celebrate their religious days. Because unbelievers are given the freedom to celebrate and worship in the Islamic state, within the limits set by Islamic law. Since the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the first four caliphs, the unbelievers were left to celebrate their religious festivals. They only prohibit Muslims to involve themselves in their celebration.

Fourth, the Khilafah will not provide assistance, or engage in religious celebrations of unbelievers. Because, a Khaliafah, is a Muslims just as the others, andis bound by Sharia law’s prohibitionto involve in the celebration of the festival of the unbelievers. Moreover, the Khalifah or Khilafah state officials will not give congratulatory remarks, or give a gift to the pagan celebration. Therefore, actions such as this are haraam.

This is the policy of the Islamic Khilafah against religious celebrations of unbelievers. Above policy is formulated in reference to the duties of a Khalifah to implement Islamic law in the country and spread the message of Islam to all corners of the world. This task necessitates the Khalifah to never have the slightest inclination to kufr and disobedience; including not issuing policy to support religious celebrations of unbelievers. Conversely, the Khalifah is obliged to give da’wa to unbelievers, both at home and abroad, to enter into the religion of Islam. However, in the context of people’s prosperity, the Khilafah will treat unbelievers equally. Their rights as citizens of the Islamic Khilafah was fulfilled and protected as best as possible. Wallahua’lam bish shawab.(mediaumat.com, 19/12). TDA