His Hindu Colleagues Greet Him on their Festival by Saying to Him 'Happy Diwali'

14-6-2020 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamualaikum. I am from India. I work in a School. My maximum colleauges are hindu. After their festival my colleague and boss wish me by saying 'Subho Bijoya' , 'Happy Diwali'. My question are
1. Can I wish them back by saying "Subho Bijoya" , "Happy Diwali"?
2. Is saying "subho bijoya' and 'happy diwali '( though I disbelieve and hate to say that) kufr ? And can it take me out of islam?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

It is impermissible to congratulate the non-Muslims on the occasion of their festivals and their religious rituals. Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him said in his book Ahkaam Ahlu Ath-Timmah: “With regard to congratulating (non-Muslims) for the rituals of disbelief that is specific to disbelief, then this is prohibited according to the agreement of all the scholars, such as congratulating them on their festivals and their fast by expressing good wishes to them saying: “Happy feast or enjoy your feast and the like.” [End of quote]

However, merely congratulating them on their festival, even if it is forbidden, it is not disbelief or apostasy.

For more benefit on greeting non-Muslims on their festivals, please refer to Fataawa 92630 and 89869.

Allah Knows best.

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