Diwali

Question: The Hindus are soon to celebrate their religious celebration of Diwali. As Muslims, as minorities, how should we react to their day of celebration? Are the following permissible?

1. Sending a plate of biscuits or sweetmeats to my neighbour?
2. Wishing them a happy Diwali?
3. Phoning them and wishing them well, and/or placing such posters on my shop’s window?
4. Taking out a ‘Diwali Sale’ or ‘Diwali Special’ in my shop?
5. Bursting crackers to show that we (Muslims) co-exist with members of different faiths in our neighbourhood?

Please offer answers to the above. Shukran!

Answer: The word ‘minorities’ used to portray the Muslim population is a deceptive word. It indirectly implies that since we are a minority in our country, hence we can and must cater to compromise various aspects of our Religion. This term is now often used by scholars who are politically inclined and who are modern-thinking. Liberal-scholars, government-scholars and modern-scholars use this word to push down their agenda of doing away with the 1400-year-old Golden and Pristine Shari’ah. They intend to push for a ‘new Shari’ah’. Thus, their use of the word ‘minorities’ at their conferences, meetings, circles, radio stations and other media sources is to de-sensitize the Ummah and to open the door for their evil agenda.

Hence, in the name of ‘minorities’, we are expected to bow down to the legislation of un-Islamic laws, Mosque Open Days, interfaith, meeting and greeting Popes, Pundits, Gurus, Rabbis, Priests, Bishops, etc., attend their funerals, go to church, by hook and crook legalise ‘Shari’ah’ compliant banking/finance, etc. Thus, one should not fall for this trap of Shaitaan. Remember, Islam began as a ‘minority’!

The answer to ALL your questions asked is simply ‘NO’. In the Hadith Shareef, Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has warned us that we will be raised on the Day of Qiyaamah with whom we loved (and imitated in this world).