Should he respond to non-Muslims when they wish him a Happy New Year?.

Is it permissible for me to say to non-Muslims “And the same to you” when they wish me a Happy New Year or say Best Wishes?. Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible to greet or congratulate the kuffaar on the occasion of Christmas, New Year or any of their other holidays, and it is not permissible to respond to them when they greet us on those occasions, because they are not festivals that are prescribed in our religion, and returning their greeting is an affirmation and approval of them. The Muslim should be proud of his religion and its rulings, and he should be keen to call others and convey to them the religion of Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about the ruling on greeting the kuffaar on the occasion of Christmas and how we should respond when they greet us on this occasion. Is it permissible to go to the parties that they hold onthis occasion? Is a person sinning if he does any of the things mentioned without intending to, and he only does it to be nice, or because of or shyness or embarrassment or other reasons? Is it permissible to imitate them in that? He replied: Greeting the kuffaar on the occasion of Christmas or any of their other religious holidays is haraam according to scholarly consensus, as was stated by Ibn al-Qayyim in his book Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah,where he says: "Congratulating the kuffaar on the rituals that belong only to themis haraam by consensus, as is congratulating them on their festivals and fasts by saying ‘A happy festival to you’ or ‘May you enjoy your festival,’ and so on. If theone who says this has been saved from kufr, it is still forbidden. It is likecongratulating someonefor prostrating to the cross, or even worse than that. It is as great a sin as congratulating someone for drinking wine, or murdering someone, or having illicit sexual relations, and so on. Many of thosewho have no respect for their religion fall into this error; they do not realize the offensivenessof their actions. Whoever congratulates aperson for his disobedience or bid’ah or kufr exposes himself to the wrath and anger of Allaah." End quote. Congratulating the kuffaar on their religious festivals is haraam to the extent described by Ibn al-Qayyim because it implies that one accepts or approves of their rituals of kufr, even if one would not accept those things for oneself. But the Muslim should not accept the rituals of kufr or congratulate anyone else for them, because Allaah does not accept any of that at all, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): "If you disbelieve, then verily, Allaah is not in need of you, He likes notdisbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you. . [al-Zumar 39:7] ". . . This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion . . [al-Maa’idah 5:3] So congratulating them is forbidden, whether they are one’s colleagues at work or otherwise. If they greet us on the occasion of their festivals, we should not respond, because these are not our festivals, andbecause they are not festivals which are acceptable to Allaah. These festivals are innovations in their religions, and even those which may have been prescribed formerly have been abrogated by the religion of Islaam, with which Allaah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to the whole of mankind. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "Whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85] It is haraam for a Muslim to accept invitations on such occasions, because this is worse than congratulating them as it implies taking part in their celebrations. Similarly, Muslims are forbidden to imitate the kuffaar by having parties on such occasions, or exchanging gifts, or giving out sweets or food, or taking time off work, etc., because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:"Whoever imitates a people is one of them." Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah said in his book Iqtidaa’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem Mukhaalifat Ashaab al-Jaheem: "Imitating them in some of their festivals implies that oneis pleased with their false beliefs and practices, and gives them the hope that they may have the opportunity to humiliateand mislead the weak End quote from Majmoo’Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/44. And Allaah knows best.

Advice to a sister who is going to get married.

Please advise me. I am a girl who is going to get married, and I want some advice. How should I start my new life in a way that will please Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, and so that Allah will bless this marriage?. Praise be to Allaah. We ask Allah to make you steadfast and to cause your marriage to go ahead in a manner that He loves and is pleased with. Our advice to you is to fear Allah in secret and openly, and strive to please Him, may He be exalted, avoid that which incurs His wrath, turn to Him, put your trust in Him, seek His help, and seek His pleasure by pleasing your husband. Imam Ahmad (18524) narrated from al-Husayn ibn Mihsan that a paternal aunt of his came to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) concerning some need of hers, and when her need was met, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Do you have a husband?” She said: Yes. He said: “How are you with him?” She said:I do not fall short in serving him and pleasing him, except that which is beyond me. He said: “Watch howyou are with him, for he is your paradise and your hell.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘, 1509 So start your life with your husband by hastening to obey him, and responding to his requests and needs so long as that does not involve any disobedience towards Allah, may He be exalted. Let cooperation in obeying Allah be one of the aims of your marriage. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “May Allah have mercy on a man who gets up atnight and prays, and he wakes up his wife, and ifshe refuses (to get up) he sprinkles water in herface. And may Allah havemercy on a woman who gets up at night and prays, and she wakes up her husband, and if he refuses (to get up) she sprinkles water in his face.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1308; classed assaheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood Pay attention to the way you dress and adorn yourself; always appear in front of him inthe best way he likes to see you, and you should not stop smiling when you are in his sight. Let cleanliness be your concern; do not let him see the house except in a tidy and clean state, and do not let him smell anything but pleasant fragrances. You should also pay attention to what kinds of food he likes. The man usually comes homefrom work exhausted and he likes to find joy and happiness in his home that will compensate him for his tiredness and exhaustion. That can only be achieved with good management on the part of a righteous woman, who welcomes him warmly and show that she is happy to see him. If he gets angry someday, then hasten to please him, even if you think that you were not in the wrong. Thus you will deserve to be one ofthe women of Paradise. See what he likes and doit, and see what he dislikes and avoid it, so long as that is in accordance with the laws and religion of Allah. Do not argue and debatewith him too much, because that is blameworthy and that does not lead to anything good. If you see him committing a sin, then object to it in a kind andgentle manner, with wise words and reminding him of Allah. If he annoys or harms you, bear it with patience and do not hasten to complain to any of your family members or relatives, because disclosing the secrets of the household and talking about problems to others are things that will upset thehusband and provoke conflict. Pay attention to his parents and sisters, for this comes under the heading of kindness thatbrings a woman closer to her husband. We will conclude with a reminder of the words of the Prophet (blessingsand peace of Allah be upon him): “If a woman prays her five (daily prayers), fasts her month(Ramadan), guards her chastity and obeys her husband, it will be said to her: Enter Paradise through whichever of the gates of Paradise you wish.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad, 1664, from‘Abd ar-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with her); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘, 660. We ask Allah to bless youboth and bring you together in goodness.

Signs of Qiyamah - , A List of the Major Signs

Auf bin Malik (R.A.) says: Icame to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi
Wasallam) while he was in his skin tent during the Tabuk expedition.
Hesaid to me, "Count six things before the adventof Qiyamah:
*. My death
*. The conquest of Jerusalem
*. Mass deaths amongst you people, just as when sheep die in large
numbers during an epidemic
*. Abundance of wealth to such an extent that if a person were to be
given a hundred Dinarshe will still not be satisfied
*. General anarchy and bloodshed, that no Arab household will bespared
from it
*. Then a life of peace as a result of a peace agreement between you
and the Banil Asfaar (Romans) which they will break and attack you
with a forceconsisting of eighty flags and under each flag will be an
army of twelve thousand men."
(Bukhari).

Signs of Qiyamah - , The Minor Signs of the Last Day

Qiyamah will come when...
Hadhrat Abu Musa Ash'ari (R.A.) narrates that Rasulallah (Sallallahu
Alayhii Wassallam) said,"Qiyamah will come...
*. When it will be regarded as a shame toact on Quranic injunctions.
*. When untrustworthy people will be regarded as trustworthy and the
trustworthy will be regarded as untrustworthy.
*. When it will be hot in winter.
*. When the length of days is stretched, i.e. a journey of a few days
is covered in a matter of hours.
*. When orators and lecturers lie openly.
*. When people dispute over petty issues.
*. When women with children come displeased on account of them bearing
offspring, and barren women remain happy on account of having no
responsibility of offspring.
*. When oppression, jealousy, and greed become the order of the day.
*. When people blatantly follow their passions and whims.
*. When lies prevail over the truth.
*. When violence, bloodshed and anarchy become common.
*. When immorality overtakes shamelessness and is perpetrated publicly.
*. When legislation matters pertaining to Deen is handed over tothe
worst elements of the Ummat, and if people accept them and are
satisfied with their findings, then such persons will not smell the
fragrance of Jannat.
*. When the offspring become a cause of grief and anger (for their parents).
The following is part of alengthy Hadith narrated by Hadhrat Abdullah
Ibn Mas'ood (R.A.) when he inquired from Rasulallah(Sallallahu Alayhi
Wassallam) about the Signs of Qiyamah.
*. Music and musical instruments will be found in every home.
*. People will indulge in homosexuality.
*. There will be an abundance of illegitimate children.
*. There will be an abundance of critics, tale-carriers, back- biters
and taunters in society.
*. People will establish ties with strangers andsever relations with
their near and dear ones.
*. Hypocrites will be in control of the affairs ofthe community and
evil, immoral people will be at the helm of business establishments.
*. The Masjid will be decorated, but the hearts of the people will be
devoid of guidance.
*. The courtyards of Masjids will be built beautifully and high
mimbars (pulpits) will be erected.
*. Gangsters and evil people will prevail.
*. Various wines will be consumed excessively.
Auf bin Malik (R.A.) says: Icame to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi
Wasallam) while he was in his skin tent during the Tabuk expedition.
Hesaid to me, "Count six things before the adventof Qiyamah:
1 My death
2 The conquest of Jerusalem
3 Mass deaths amongst you people, just as whensheep die in large
numbers during an epidemic
4 Abundance of wealth to such an extent that if a person were to be
given a hundred Dinars he will still not be satisfied
5 General anarchy and bloodshed, that no Arab household will be spared from it
6 Then a life of peace as a result of a peace agreement between youand
the Banil Asfaar
(Romans) which they will break and attack you with a force consisting
of eighty flagsand under each flag will be an army of twelve thousand
men." (Hadith: Sahih Bukhari).
IRAQ and SYRIA
Abu Nadhrah says: "We were sitting in the company of Jabir bin
Abdullah (R.A.) when he said: 'Soon the people ofIRAQ will neither
receive any food (grain) nor anymoney.'" We asked,"Why would such a
thinghappen?" He replied,"Because of the non-Arabs." (i.e they
willprevent food from goinginto Iraq, in the form of"sanctions" to
this day.) He then said: "Soon the people of Shaam (SYRIA) will
neither receive any money nor grain." We asked as to why this would
happen. He replied: "Because of the Romans (christians)."
CONCEITED PEOPLE:
Hadhrat Abbas (R.A) narrates that Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alayhi
Wassallam) has said,"Islam will spread far and wide, across the seas.
Horses will cross the land and seas in the cause of Jihaad. Then a
time will come wherein a group of people will emerge which recites the
Quraan. They will claim,
'We have recited the Quraan and is there anyone who understands the
Quraan better than us? There is NO ONE more proficient than us in the
study of the Quraan.'
Then Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) asked the Sahaba, "Do
you see any good in their claims?" The Sahaba replied,"No". Rasulallah
(Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) said, "But these conceited claimants
will be from my Ummah and will be the fuel of the Fire."