Since yesterday, some of my dear Facebook friends have been messaging me to ask about the Shariah ruling on extending greetings and congratulations to non-Muslims on the occasions of their religious festivals. I have also noticed that this issue has generated considerable discussion on Facebook.
Let me clarify at the outset that I am not a mufti qualified to issue a fatwa on this matter. Nevertheless, in response to my friends’ requests, I am briefly sharing a few of my thoughts. Please do not regard my views as definitive or conclusive. Perhaps I will write about the subject in greater detail someday, *in sha’ Allah*.
In my view, the following considerations are relevant when addressing this issue.
**A.** Our country is home to various ethnic and religious communities, although their populations are smaller than that of the Muslim community.
**B.** People living in the same society or community, whether Muslims or non-Muslims, naturally exchange greetings and courtesies when they meet, share one another’s joys and sorrows, inquire about each other’s well-being, and show mutual concern. These are ordinary expressions of human courtesy and good manners. Various hadiths also address such aspects of human interaction.
**C.** If the purpose or meaning of extending greetings and congratulations is to acknowledge or endorse the religious beliefs or acts of worship of non-Muslims, and this is also conveyed by the words used, then such expressions are clearly prohibited (*haram*) and contrary to Islamic *‘aqidah* (creed). In effect, they would amount to acknowledging or endorsing their disbelief or *shirk* (associating partners with Allah). Muslim scholars are unanimous on this point.
**D.** If, however, greetings are extended solely as an expression of courtesy, goodwill, and civic harmony, without any intention of endorsing religious beliefs, scholars differ on the matter.
Some consider such greetings prohibited or reprehensible because they believe that they may indirectly imply approval of the religious customs and rituals concerned. Others have expressed similar caution out of concern that such practices might compromise Islamic belief.
On the other hand, some scholars consider such greetings permissible for the purpose of fulfilling official responsibilities or maintaining social relationships, particularly in multicultural societies, provided that the words used do not conflict with Islamic creed.
According to this view, such greetings are ordinary expressions of courtesy and formality that can foster good relations among people and promote Islam’s emphasis on tolerance and peaceful coexistence with followers of other religions. Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi (may Allah have mercy on him), along with many contemporary scholars, expressed views along these lines.
Anyone who personally considers such greetings prohibited or reprehensible is entitled to maintain that position. I myself do not endorse the widespread practice of extending such greetings without qualification. Nevertheless, I do not consider it appropriate to harshly condemn political leaders or public officials simply for extending such greetings in the course of their duties.
*Wallahu a‘lam bis-sawab* (Allah knows best what is correct).
**E.** The words and expressions used in greetings should convey only ordinary courtesy and goodwill. It is not appropriate to use expressions that might create a reasonable impression among the public that the religious beliefs or acts of worship of non-Muslims are being acknowledged or endorsed—even if the person extending the greetings has no such intention.
The hadith literature instructs Muslims to avoid words and actions that may give rise to undesirable suspicions or expose them to unfounded accusations.
Therefore, considerable care should be exercised in choosing the wording. Instead of referring directly to religious beliefs or rituals, one may use neutral expressions of ordinary courtesy, such as: “I wish you peace and security.”
**F.** Since political leaders are responsible for maintaining good relations with all citizens, including non-Muslims, and safeguarding their rights, including their religious rights, they may, when they consider it appropriate or necessary, extend general greetings in neutral language.
However, they must ensure that their words do not imply, even indirectly, endorsement of the religious beliefs or festivals concerned.
**G.** It is also worth noting that many non-Muslim religious and political leaders extend greetings to Muslims on various religious festivals and social occasions as an expression of civic harmony.
In such circumstances, responding to their greetings out of human courtesy and good manners may also be regarded as a moral responsibility for Muslims. Nevertheless, great care must be taken to ensure that our expressions contain no implication of *shirk* or any suggestion of endorsement of beliefs that conflict with Islamic monotheism.
**H. Some neutral expressions of greetings without religious endorsement**
1. “I wish you peace, happiness, and well-being on this special occasion.”
2. “May you and your family enjoy good health and happy moments together.”
3. “May this occasion bring a message of goodwill and harmony to your lives.”
4. “We wish peace, harmony, and progress for all citizens of our nation.”
5. “May your festival be joyful and contribute to greater goodwill and harmony in society.”
**Suitable expressions for political leaders**
1. “We wish happiness and prosperity for all citizens of Bangladesh. May this occasion strengthen the bonds of fraternity, peace, and harmony among us.”
2. “We hope to move forward together on the path of peace and well-being.”
3. “May this joyful occasion strengthen the bonds of unity and harmony in our society.”
It is worth noting that these expressions do not acknowledge the religious beliefs or acts of worship of non-Muslims as true. Rather, they express goodwill, social harmony, and concern for human well-being. From the perspective presented here, such greetings are permissible in Islamic law.
**I.1. Informal greetings for personal and general use**
The following expressions may be used in personal conversations, social media messages, or speeches at local events:
1. “I wish you happiness, peace, and well-being in your lives.”
2. “May this occasion bring joyful moments for you and your family.”
3. “May your festival serve as a symbol of love, goodwill, and harmony.”
4. “May the bonds of fraternity and mutual respect grow stronger in our society.”
**I.2. Official greetings for state and political leaders**
The following expressions may be suitable for official statements, press releases, or speeches by political leaders:
1. “We wish happiness, peace, and progress for all citizens of Bangladesh. May this occasion further strengthen the bonds of goodwill and harmony within our nation.”
2. “We hope this joyful occasion will help lead our country towards greater unity, peace, and prosperity.”
3. “May this special day symbolize mutual respect, goodwill, and fraternity in our national life.”
4. “We are committed to working together to build a peaceful, just, and welfare-oriented society.”
The informal messages emphasize personal and social relationships, while the official messages focus on national unity, social harmony, and national progress. The expressions contain nothing that inherently conflicts with Islamic creed, while also allowing public officials to fulfil their responsibilities appropriately.
**J.** The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) taught his followers how to supplicate for non-Muslims using neutral expressions.
He said:
إذا دعوتم لأحدٍ من اليهودِ والنصارى فقولوا أكثر اللهُ مالَك وولدَك
“When you supplicate for a Jew or a Christian, say: ‘May Allah increase your wealth and your children.’”
It is also reported from Ibrahim al-Nakha‘i (may Allah have mercy on him) that a Jewish man once came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and requested that he pray to Allah on his behalf.
The Prophet said:
أَكْثَرَ اللَّهُ مَالَك وَوَلَدَك وَأَصَحَّ جِسْمَك وَأَطَالَ عُمْرَك.
“May Allah increase your wealth and your children, grant you good health, and prolong your life!”
*(Thank you also to those who express differing opinions.)*