The Evils Of Interest Based Loans & Mortgages

Question:

Is it allowed for me to take out a loan (Mortgage) from a bank that deals with interest to buy a house? Benefit us may Allaah reward you with good.
Answer:

Even if you were in dire need of eating a piece of bread to save yourself from death still don't borrow anything from the bank whatsoever, let alone buying a house or a car. When one is in a adverse situation forced by circumstance (severe hunger) Allaah has made lawful for you al-Maitah (dead animals), and the flesh of swine, and that which has been killed by a violent blow or by a headlong fall; yet ar-Ribaa (interest) has not been allowed for you, interest is very dangerous, very dangerous. So don't deal with interest and be patient; since Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:

And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)

So dealing with interest is a grave sin, a dangerous matter and the one who makes it allowable has disbelieved. Therefore if you are in need of a house then be patient until Allaah provides it for you, seek refuge in Allaah and utilise the necessary means until Allaah paves the way for you to obtain a house. Either that or you die being free from waging war against Allaah. Since the Muraabi (the one who deals with interest) is warring with Allaah - and Allaahs refuge is sought - as Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:

And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allaah and His Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums). (Surah al-Baqarah 2:279)

He (Allaah) declares war upon the people of ar-Ribaa (interest) and "the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) cursed the usurper of interest, the one who pays it, the one who records it and the two witnesses to it."

[Reported by Muslim in his Sahih (11/36 no.1598 - Nawawi) from the Hadith of Jaabir radiallaahu 'anhu]

What do you want after the curse?! Will the house benefit you when you are in front of the Hellfire?! So the believer should fear Allaah and should have patience upon his destitution and his need; for indeed Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:

And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones. (Surah al-Baqarah 2:155)

Be patient and Allaah will give you this mighty reward instead of exposing yourself to His curse, His anger, His wrath and His punishment. Bear this severity in the world for it is nothing in comparison to the anger of Allaah and His punishment.

We ask Allaah that He protects us by His grace and favour from everything that incurs His anger and wrath. Indeed our Lord is All-Hearing of our supplications. And may the blessings of Allaah and peace be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family and upon his companions.


Shaykh Rabee` bin Haadee
Ad-durar an-Nadheed min Muhaadharaatil-'Aqeedah wat- Tawheed : Tafseer Kalimati-Tawheed, Questions & Answers, page 118-119.

As Long as one is Living Sustenance is Guarantee

Concern yourself with that which you were ordered to take care of, and do not be concerned with something that was not guaranteed for you.


Sustenance and the matter of death are two matters whereof there is no doubt.

As long as one is living sustenance is guaranteed. And if Allah, according to His wisdom, closed the way to some means, He will, according to His mercy, open another means for you, which will be more useful. Let us consider the state of the embryo. It receives its nourishment, which is blood from one means which is the naval, and when it comes out of its motherýs womb and this only means is closed, another two means are opened to it, which are better and sweeter than the first!

The second means is pure and nourishing milk.

When he finished his suckling period and these two means are closed because of weaning, Allah opens four more perfect means; two kinds of foods and two kinds of drinks.

The two foods are from animals and plants and the two drinks are from water and milk, as well as whatever he likes from among other pleasures.

When he passes away, his four means are closed but Allah, the Exalted will open to him, if he was pious, eight doors of Paradise in order to enter Paradise from anyone of them, according to his wish.

So we notice that whenever Allah, the Exalted prevents His believing servant from something during this worldly life, He will bestow upon him something which is better and more useful to him. It should be noted that this is only granted to the believers. Allah preserves His servant from low and mean misfortunes and is not pleased when such fortunes comes to him, as He gives him a better and more valuable one.

The servant does not always recognize the generosity of Allah, His wisdom and kindness, nor does he always know the significant difference between what he was granted and what he was protected from. He is fond of matters being decided immediately even if they are mean, and refuses the latter ones even if they are better. If the servant could just treat Allah justly he would have known that the pleasures of this world that Allah has protected him from are better for him than those things which Allah may have granted him from these pleasures.

Allah prevented him from some of them in order to bestow upon him something that is better. He, the Almighty may have allowed him to be afflicted in order to protect him, tested to absolve him from sins, put him to death to resurrect him, and took him out of this world so as to stand in front of Him and follow the path that will bring him to Allah.


From Al-Fuwaid, A Collection of wise sayings, Ibn Al-Qayyim p.88

(from the English Translation of the book)

This LISTis awesome! Everyone can use it.

This LISTis awesome! Everyone can use it.

Apples

Protects your heart

prevents constipation

Blocks diarrhea

Improves lung capacity

Cushions joints

Apricots

Combats cancer

Controls blood pressure

Saves your eyesight

Shields against Alzheimer's

Slows aging process

Artichokes

Aids digestion

Lowers cholesterol

Protects your heart

Stabilizes blood sugar

Guards against liver disease

Avocados

Battles diabetes

Lowers cholesterol

Helps stops strokes

Controls blood pressure

Smoothes skin

Bananas

Protects your heart

Quiets a cough

Strengthens bones

Controls blood pressure

Blocks diarrhea

Beans

Prevents constipation

Helps hemorrhoids

Lowers cholesterol

Combats cancer

Stabilizes blood sugar

Beets

Controls blood pressure

Combats cancer

Strengthens bones

Protects your heart

Aids weight loss

Blueberries

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Stabilizes blood sugar

Boosts memory

Prevents constipation

Broccoli

Strengthens bones

Saves eyesight

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Controls blood pressure

Cabbage

Combats cancer

Prevents constipation

Promotes weight loss

Protects your heart

Helps hemorrhoids

Cantaloupe

Saves eyesight

Controls blood pressure

Lowers cholesterol

Combats cancer

Supports immune system

Carrots

Saves eyesight

Protects your heart

Prevents constipation

Combats cancer

Promotes weight loss

Cauliflower

Protects against Prostate Cancer

Combats Breast Cancer

Strengthens bones

Banishes bruises

Guards against heart disease

Cherries

Protects your heart

Combats Cancer

Ends insomnia

Slows aging process

Shields against Alzheimer's

Chestnuts

Promotes weight loss

Protects your heart

Lowers cholesterol

Combats Cancer

Controls blood pressure

Chili peppers

Aids digestion

Soothes sore throat

Clears sinuses

Combats Cancer

Boosts immune system

Figs

Promotes weight loss

Helps stops strokes

Lowers cholesterol

Combats Cancer

Controls blood pressure

Fish

Protects your heart

Boosts memory

Protects your heart

Combats Cancer

Supports immune system

Flax

Aids digestion

Battles diabetes

Protects your heart

Improves mental health

Boosts immune system

Garlic

Lowers cholesterol

Controls blood pressure

Combats cancer

kills bacteria

Fights fungus

Grapefruit

Protects against heart attacks

Promotes Weight loss

Helps stops strokes

Combats Prostate Cancer

Lowers cholesterol

Grapes

saves eyesight

Conquers kidney stones

Combats cancer

Enhances blood flow

Protects your heart

Green tea

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Helps stops strokes

Promotes Weight loss

Kills bacteria

Honey

Heals wounds

Aids digestion

Guards against ulcers

Increases energy

Fights allergies

Lemons

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Controls blood pressure

Smoothes skin

Stops scurvy

Limes

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Controls blood pressure

Smoothes skin

Stops scurvy

Mangoes

Combats cancer

Boosts memory

Regulates thyroid

aids digestion

Shields against Alzheimer's

Mushrooms

Controls blood pressure

Lowers cholesterol

Kills bacteria

Combats cancer

Strengthens bones

Oats

Lowers cholesterol

Combats cancer

Battles diabetes

prevents constipation

Smoothes skin

Olive oil

Protects your heart

Promotes Weight loss

Combats cancer

Battles diabetes

Smoothes skin

Onions

Reduce risk of heart attack

Combats cancer

Kills bacteria

Lowers cholesterol

Fights fungus

Oranges

Supports immune systems

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

Straightens respiration




Peaches

prevents constipation

Combats cancer

Helps stops strokes

aids digestion

Helps hemorrhoids

Peanuts

Protects against heart disease

Promotes Weight loss

Combats Prostate Cancer

Lowers cholesterol

Aggravates
Diverticulitis

Pineapple

Strengthens bones

Relieves colds

Aids digestion

Dissolves warts

Blocks diarrhea

Prunes

Slows aging process

prevents constipation

boosts memory

Lowers cholesterol

Protects against heart disease

Rice

Protects your heart

Battles diabetes

Conquers kidney stones

Combats cancer

Helps stops strokes

Strawberries

Combats cancer

Protects your heart

boosts memory

Calms stress




Sweet potatoes

Saves your eyesight

Lifts mood

Combats cancer

Strengthens bones




Tomatoes

Protects prostate

Combats cancer

Lowers cholesterol

Protects your heart




Walnuts

Lowers cholesterol

Combats cancer

boosts memory

Lifts mood

Protects against heart disease

Water

Promotes Weight loss

Combats cancer

Conquers kidney stones

Smoothes skin




Watermelon

Protects prostate

Promotes Weight loss

Lowers cholesterol

Helps stops strokes

Controls blood pressure

Wheat germ

Combats Colon Cancer

prevents constipation

Lowers cholesterol

Helps stops strokes

improves digestion

Wheat bran

Combats Colon Cancer

prevents constipation

Lowers cholesterol

Helps stops strokes

improves digestion

Yogurt

Guards against ulcers

Strengthens bones

Lowers cholesterol

Supports immune systems

Aids digestion

"Narcotics are more destructive to societies than nuclear weapons!"

His Eminence the Muftee, may Allaah preserve him:
Reported by Lutfee Abdul-Lateef for the "al-Madeenah" newspaper in Riyaadh

The eminent Shaykh Abdul-Azeez bin Abdullaah Aal as-Shaykh, Grand Muftee of Saudi Arabia, President of the Panel of Major Scholars, and President of the Permanent Committee of Verdicts, Allaah preserve him, declared that:

"Narcotics in their various forms, from heroine, cocaine, to hashish, are more harmful and destructive to human societies than nuclear weapons!"

Said his eminences, Allaah preserve him: "If the nuclear weapon threatens mankind, then surely narcotics are a destructive force that demolishes human societies. They corrupt people, remove their intellects, cause the spilling of blood, cause a horrendous array of diseases, cause memory loss to those who indulge in them, cause great harm to families, they rob a person of motivation, ruin a person's Islaam, and they are the source of many crimes and evil consequences; hence their being labeled as the 'Mother of All Filth'."

The Grand Muftee, Allaah preserve him, insisted upon the turning in of drug dealers, the pursuit of them, and lowering upon them the strictest of deterrents. (He also urged) that no muslim be lenient or merciful to them because they are corrupt criminals.

His eminences the Shaykh Abdul-Azeez Aal as-Shaykh, Allaah preserve him, said:

"Neither is the defense nor the mediation on the part of one proved to be engrossed or involved in the trafficking of narcotics allowed. This is because they are a depraved criminal mob that fall into the generality of Allaah's, the Blessed and the Sublime's statement,

'The only reward for those who make war upon Allaah and His Messenger and cause corruption in the earth is that they are executed, crucified, their hands are cut on the opposite side of their body that their foot is cut, or that they are exiled from the land.'"

His Eminence added that: "The enemies of al-Islaam attempt wreck the Muslim countries with the use of narcotics, and their colonization of the Muslim lands is now through this murderous blight whose access and distribution they allow for the subversion of the Muslim world."

He, Allaah preserve him, continued: "All Muslims are obliged to maintain a tough unyielding stance in combating narcotics and its traffickers, as protectors of the Muslim lands and their peoples from this disastrous problem." He went on to say, "Al-Islaam has forbidden narcotics because of their extreme harms and grave nature. Furthermore, trade in narcotics has been prohibited, and the moneys made from the narcotics trade is forbidden and counted as dirty and impure."

Finally, he stated, "It is not permitted for the Muslim who believes in Allaah and the Last Day to participate in the distribution, sale, trade, or the trafficking of narcotics. Neither is it permissible to conspire with the traffickers, defend the conspirators in drug cases, to advocate for them, or to grant them leniency."

Newspaper "al-Madeenah"

"Narcotics are more destructive to societies than nuclear weapons!"

His Eminence the Muftee, may Allaah preserve him:
Reported by Lutfee Abdul-Lateef for the "al-Madeenah" newspaper in Riyaadh

The eminent Shaykh Abdul-Azeez bin Abdullaah Aal as-Shaykh, Grand Muftee of Saudi Arabia, President of the Panel of Major Scholars, and President of the Permanent Committee of Verdicts, Allaah preserve him, declared that:

"Narcotics in their various forms, from heroine, cocaine, to hashish, are more harmful and destructive to human societies than nuclear weapons!"

Said his eminences, Allaah preserve him: "If the nuclear weapon threatens mankind, then surely narcotics are a destructive force that demolishes human societies. They corrupt people, remove their intellects, cause the spilling of blood, cause a horrendous array of diseases, cause memory loss to those who indulge in them, cause great harm to families, they rob a person of motivation, ruin a person's Islaam, and they are the source of many crimes and evil consequences; hence their being labeled as the 'Mother of All Filth'."

The Grand Muftee, Allaah preserve him, insisted upon the turning in of drug dealers, the pursuit of them, and lowering upon them the strictest of deterrents. (He also urged) that no muslim be lenient or merciful to them because they are corrupt criminals.

His eminences the Shaykh Abdul-Azeez Aal as-Shaykh, Allaah preserve him, said:

"Neither is the defense nor the mediation on the part of one proved to be engrossed or involved in the trafficking of narcotics allowed. This is because they are a depraved criminal mob that fall into the generality of Allaah's, the Blessed and the Sublime's statement,

'The only reward for those who make war upon Allaah and His Messenger and cause corruption in the earth is that they are executed, crucified, their hands are cut on the opposite side of their body that their foot is cut, or that they are exiled from the land.'"

His Eminence added that: "The enemies of al-Islaam attempt wreck the Muslim countries with the use of narcotics, and their colonization of the Muslim lands is now through this murderous blight whose access and distribution they allow for the subversion of the Muslim world."

He, Allaah preserve him, continued: "All Muslims are obliged to maintain a tough unyielding stance in combating narcotics and its traffickers, as protectors of the Muslim lands and their peoples from this disastrous problem." He went on to say, "Al-Islaam has forbidden narcotics because of their extreme harms and grave nature. Furthermore, trade in narcotics has been prohibited, and the moneys made from the narcotics trade is forbidden and counted as dirty and impure."

Finally, he stated, "It is not permitted for the Muslim who believes in Allaah and the Last Day to participate in the distribution, sale, trade, or the trafficking of narcotics. Neither is it permissible to conspire with the traffickers, defend the conspirators in drug cases, to advocate for them, or to grant them leniency."

Newspaper "al-Madeenah"

The Purposes of the Believer's Trial

From the Book: Fatawa Islamiyah Islamic Verdicts Volume 1
From the Noble Scholars: Shaykh 'Abdul-'Aziz bin 'Abdullah bin Baz
Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih Al-Uthaimin

Along with: The Permanent Committee and the decisions of the Fiqh Council
Collected by: Muhammad bin 'Abdul-'Aziz al-Musnad
Pgs. 177-180

Question:

Why does Allah burden the believers, who perform many acts of worship, with illnesses and trials, while the disobedient ones enjoy the good things in life?

Answer:

This question comes from two angles: The first is one of dissaproval and the second is one of seeking advice. As for the disapproval expressed, it is indicative of the questioner's ignorance, for Allah's Wisdom is too great for the human mind to encompass; He, the Almighty, the All-Powerful says:

And they ask you (O Muhammad [sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam])
concerning the Ruh (the spirit); say: "The Ruh (the spirit)
is one of the things, the knowledge of which is only with my
Lord. And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a
little." [1]

So this spirit, which is in our bodies, and which is the essence of life, we do not know what it is, and scientists, philosophers and theologians have tried in vain to define it and to describe it. Therefore, if we do not understand anything about this spirit, which is the closest creation to us, except what has been described to us in the Qur'an and Sunnah, how can you expect to understand the wisdom behind this (i.e. the trial of the believers)? Allah, the Mighty, the Majestic is Wiser, Greater, More Powerful and More Able; thus it is incumbent upon us to accept His Decree with a complete acceptance, both those which He allows to happen without necessitating His approval, and those which happen with His liking and approval. This is because we are unable to appreciate the design and purpose behind the Wisdom of Him, the Almighty, the Majestic. What is incumbent regarding this aspect of the question, is to say: "Allah knows better, He is Wiser, more Able and Greater."

As for the second angle, which is the question of guidance, we say, in answer to this question: The believer is tested; and the trial is from Allah, which tests him through harm has two purposes. It is a test of the man's faith - is it firm, or shaky? The true believer accepts and understands the Decree of Allah and His Will and he hopes to be rewarded for it, and so the matter becomes easy for him. It is said that a believing woman was afflicted by an injury to her finger, but she did not feel any pain, nor did she show any signs of distress. She was asked about it and she said: "Verily, the sweetness of its reward made me forget the bitterness of its pain." So the believer hopes for a reward from Allah, the Most High and he submits with complete conviction. This is one purpose; as for the second, verily, Allah praises those who patiently persevere with great approval and He informs them that He is with them
*[1] and He grants them their recompense without measure or account. Patience is a high rank, which none can reach except those who are put to trial in matters over which they demonstrate patient perseverance. If he does so, he achieves this high rank in which is this great reward. Thus, the trial of Allah upon the believers by what harms them enables them to achieve the rank of the patient ones. This is why the Messenger (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) - who was the best of mankind in faith and the most pious of them and the most God-fearing - suffered from illness enough for two men, and it was extremely hard upon him when the agony of death came to him. And all of this was so that he might perfect his level of patience; and verily, he (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was the most patient of the patient ones. From this, you can see the wisdom behind Allah testing the believers with such calamities. As for Him giving the disobedient ones, the sinners, the profligate and the disbelievers well-being and sustenance in abundance, this is a lure into destruction from Allah, the Most High for them. It is authentically reported from the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) that he said:

((Verily, this world is a prison for the believer and a
Paradise for the disbeliever.)) **[1]

So they are given these good things as advance compensation for their good in the life of this world, but on the Day of Resurrection, they receive their just reward. Allah, the Most High says:

And on the Day when those who disbelieve (in the Oneness
of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) will be exposed to the Fire,
(it will be said): "You received your good things in the life
of the world, and you took your pleasure therein. Now this
Day shall you be recompensed with a torment of humiliation,
because you were arrogant in the land without a right, and
because you used to rebel and disobey (Allah)." [2]

In brief, this world is for the disbelievers, by which they are lured to destruction, after which, they go on from this life in which they were blessed, to the afterlife, where they find punishment - we seek refuge with Allah from that - and the punishment will be worse for them because they will find therein torment and suffering, in addition to which, they will suffer the loss of things dear to them in the life of this world, its blessings and its luxuries. This is a third purpose which we might add to the above mentioned two, concerning the harm and illness the believer endures, for he transfers to an abode of goodness from this world, so he will have gone from a painful situation to one of ease and comfort, and his happiness at the felicity given to him will be doubled, because he has found ease and comfort in place of the pains and calamities he previously suffered.

Ibn 'Uthaimin

FOOTNOTES:
[1] Al-Isra' 17:85.
*[1] That is, in His Seeing, His Hearing and His Knowledge.
**[1] Muslim no. 2956.
[2] Al-Ahqaf 46:20.

The Issue of Minarets upon the Mosques

Question:

Was there a minaret in the time of the Prophet sallallaahu ýalayhi wa sallam)?
Answer:

Our Shaykh mentioned from ash-Shaatibee (in al-Iýtisaam), and those that quote from them that the prophetic adhaan was called from the minaarah (minaret). Likewise, it was quoted similarly from Ibnul-Haaj, (in al-madkhal). However, he (Shaykh al-Albaanee - rahimahullaah) was not pleased with that statement, and he said (in al-Ajwibah an-Naafiýah page 33-35) under the title: Was there a minaret in the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu ýalayhi wa sallam)?

al-Albaanee commented, I did not come across that which clearly shows that the prophetic adhaan was on the minaret, except that which preceded in the hadeeth that it was above the entrance of the masjid. So from what is apparent, is that it (the adhaan) was called upon the roof, above the entrance. And what supports this claim from that which is well-known is that Bilaal, the one who would call the prophetic adhaan on the day of Jumu'ah, had something to climb upon in order to call the adhaan.


In the Saheeh of Imaam al-Bukhaaree, al-Qaasim Ibn Muhammad narrated from 'Aa'ishah that Bilaal would call the adhaan in the night, so the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ýalayhi wa sallam) said, "Eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktoob calls the adhaan, surely he does not call the adhaan until the time for fajr enters."[1] al-Qaasim said, ýThere wasnýt between their adhaans except that one was rising and the other was descendingý


Then our Shaykh said in the previous book,[2] "In summary, that which I hold in this topic is that it has not been established that the minaret was known to be part of the masjid at the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu ýalayhi wa sallam). In conclusion, the adhaan in that time was made from a raised place above the masjid, climbed upon, as mentioned previously. From that which is likely is that the climbing that was mentioned was only at the back of the masjid, and it is also likely that it was upon something that was (raised) above the back of the masjid. As comes in the hadeeth of Umm Zayd, in either two situations, that which we take to be correct, is that the minaret which is known today is not from the Sunnah in any way, however, that which is the intended meaning of it, a conveyance (call to prayer) is a legislated affair without doubt. If the conveyance (call to prayer) cannot take place except by it, then at this point, it is legislated, as is found in Usoolul-'Ilm:


If that which is waajib cannot take place without it, then it, itself, becomes obligatory, to the extent of whatýs needed.


However, my opinion is that the presence of microphones or (other) conveyance tools of today frees us from the (need for) minarets, especially since it (the minaret) is expensive (and burdensome). Its construction under these circumstances, considering it is an innovation, and having that which frees us from needing it, is not legislated. Because whatýs found in it of extravagance and wasting money, and that which shows with irrefutable proofs, that it has become something of no benefit. Verily, the muýadhineen (callers of the adhaan), never ascend it and are not in need of it because of the amplifiers.

Footnotes: [1] Al-Bukhaaree (4/110) [2] al-Ajwibah an-Naafi'ah page 33-35

Shaykh Naasir ud-Deen al-Albaanee

Responding to Merry Christmas:

The following is a summary translation of a post taken from sahab.net

Responding to Merry Christmas by Sheik Uthamin

Question: What is the ruling on congratulating the disbelievers on their Christmas celebration? And how do we respond to them if they greet us with it. And is it permissible to go to the places where they are having celebrations for that purpose. And does the person (Muslim) take a sin if he does the aforementioned without any intent? Rather he only does it being courteous, or due to shyness or due to being put in an awkward situation, or due to some other reasons. And is it permissible to resemble them in this?

Answer: Congratulating the disbelievers on their Christmas celebration or other than that from their religious holidays is not permissible according to the consensus. As was related by Ibn Al Qayim, may ALLAH have mercy upon him, in his book “The ruling on the people beneath the Muslim protection”, when he said: As for congratulating the disbelievers for their religious ceremonies that have kufr (disbelief) attached to it, then it is not permissible according to the consensus. For example congratulating them for their holidays or their fasts, so the person says, “May you have a bless holiday”, or he wishes them well for their holiday or something like that. So this, if the one who says it escapes from falling into kufr (disbelief), is(still) from the impermissible things. And it is on the same level as congratulating them for prostrating to the cross. Rather it is a greater sin with ALLAH. And it is a more severe abomination than to congratulate them for drinking alcohol and killing someone, committing illegal sexual intercourse and things of this nature. And many of the people who don’t have any deen(or respect for the deen) fall into this. And he doesn’t know the ugliness (evil) of what he has done. So whoever congratulates a person for committing sins, or innovations, or disbelief, then he has exposed himself to the hate, wrath (anger) of ALLAH. –End of the Sheik’s (Ibn Al Qayim) speech may ALLAH have mercy upon him--

(Sheik Uthamin continues)

So congratulating the disbelievers on the religious holidays is not permissible, as shown by the proof brought by Ibn Al Qayim. Because in it, (congratulating the kufar on their religious holidays) is an approval for what they are upon from their kufr ceremonies, and showing them that you are please with it. Even if the person is not pleased with the actual kufr itself, it is also not permissible for the Muslim to be pleased with kufr ceremonies, or to congratulate them for it. Because ALLAH the Exalted is not pleased with that, as ALLAH the Exalted says, “If you disbelieve, then verily, ALLAH is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you.” (chapter 39 verse 7) And the Exalted says, “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Chapter 5 verse 3) So congratulating them with this is haram whether this person is your co worker or not.
So if they greet us with their holiday greeting we don’t respond to them with it, because it’s not our holiday, and they are holidays that ALLAH is not pleased with, and because it is something that is either innovated in their religion, or it was legislated but has since been abrogated by the deen of Islam that which Muhammad peace and blessing be upon him, was sent with to all of the creation. And He (ALLAH) says about it (Islam) “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” (Chapter 3 verse 85)
And for the Muslim to accept their invitations to these occasions (holiday celebrations) is haram. (Impermissible) Because this is worst than congratulating them with it, because this would entail participating with them in this. Also it is haram for the Muslim to imitate the disbelievers by establishing celebrations for these occasions, or to exchanges gifts, or to distribute sweets, or trays of food, or to stop work or anything like this. Due to the statement of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, “Whoever imitates a people is from them”. Sheik of Islam Ibn Taymia said in his book, Follow the straight path and oppose the path to the fire,“Imitating them in some of their celebration causes happiness in their hearts for what they are upon from false hood. And it is possible that this might encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity to humiliate the weak minded”. –End of his (Sheik Ibn Taymia) speech. May ALLAH have mercy upon him.

And whoever does anything from this is a sinner. And it is the same whether he did it being courteous, or seeking friendship, or due to shyness, or any other reason, because this is from being deceitful in the deen of ALLAH. And this is from the reasons that reinforce the psyche of the disbelievers and to make them proud of their deen.