Our attitude and duties towards New Year's Eve

· The first day of the Christian yearshould be regarded as an ordinary
day. We should not show any sign of celebration.
· Everyone should check his familyand children lest they celebrate
itdue to the influence of a friend ora TV channel, or due to a sense
ofcuriosity or imitation. It was narrated on the authority of Ibn
'Umar both, that the Prophet, , said: "Each of you is a caretaker and
each of you is responsible for those under his care. The ruler is a
caretaker of people and is responsible for his subjects. The man is a
caretaker of his family and is responsible for his family members. The
woman is a caretaker of her husband's house and children and is
responsible for them. The servant is a caretaker of his master's
property and is responsible for it. Each of you is acaretaker and is
responsible for those under his care." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Al-Munaawi said, "It is incumbent upon each of you to dispense justice
if one is a ruler and not to be treacherous if he is ruled. Everyone
is a caretaker andis responsible for those under hiscare in the
Hereafter. The one who has anyone under his care has to be fair with
them, and do what is beneficial for them in terms of religious and
worldly matters as well as all relevant things. If he fulfills that,
he will receive a great reward. Otherwise, one of those who were under
his care may ask him for his rights in the Hereafter." [ Faydh
Al-Qadeer [
· Congratulations and gifts must not be exchanged with either Muslims
or non-Muslims who celebrate the night of the birthday of Christ .
Ibn Al-Qayyim said, "It is forbidden by unanimous agreement of
scholars to congratulate the disbelievers on their specific rites,
such as their feasts and fasting, by saying, for example, "Merry
Christmas!" or "Happy feast!" and the like. Even if the Muslim who
says that does not become a disbeliever for doing so, he has certainly
done something that is forbidden. Thisis equal to congratulating them
on prostrating to the cross. It is agreater sin in the sight of Allaah
The Almighty and more reprehensible than congratulating them on
drinking alcohol, committing adultery andthe like. Many people who do
not practice any religion do that, and they are unaware of the
ugliness of their actions.
The one who does that exposes himself to the Wrath of Allaah The
Almighty if he congratulates someone on a sin, religious innovation or
disbelief.
Righteous scholars used to avoid congratulating despots on coming to
power and those who were ignorant on assuming the office of a judge,
teacher or Mufti (a scholar who is qualified to issue religious
verdicts) to save themselves from the wrath of Allaah The Almighty and
for fear of losing their status in His sight. If the Muslim
congratulates themto avoid the evil he anticipates from them and says
nothing but good words and supplicates for their guidance and success,
thereis no harm in that. Guidance is sought from Allaah The Almighty."
[ Ahkaam Ahl Ath-Thimmah [
· It is not permissible to take a holiday from studies, official or
private work.
· It is not permissible to contact live programs over the satellite
channels and radio stations to request songs, or send greetings and
the like, unless one contacts these stations to disapprove of such
acts. It was narrated on the authority of Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri that he
heard the Messenger of Allaah, , saying: "Whoever among you sees evil,
let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; if he cannot, then
with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his
heart – and that is the weakest level of faith." [Muslim]
· Muslim merchants should fear Allaah The Almighty and not sell
anything that helps to depict andcontribute to the celebrations of
that rite. Ibn Al-Haajj said, "Itis unlawful for the Muslim to sell
the Christians meat, food, clothing or to lend them riding animals,
because in doing so he will be helping them with their disbelief,
something that should be disallowed by Muslim rulers." [ Fataawa Ibn
Hajar Al-Haytami [