Happy 2BA Muslim
Islamophilic
:salam2:
Greetings and salutations are customary practices. They are governed by the traditions, norms, and customs of people in society. This is as true for Ramadan and `îd greetings as it is for the general congratulations and condolences that apply to everyday events.
This matter, and others like it, are governed by a broad principle in Islamic Law. This is the principle stating that all customs – verbal and non-verbal – are lawful and permitted as long as they do not contradict anything specifically prohibited by Islamic Law or bring about consequences that are contrary to Islamic teachings.
Any custom or tradition that does not violate Islamic teachings is permitted. Such customs are not disliked or discouraged by Islam in any way.
Certain permissible customs or traditions actually bring about consequences for society that are positive, consequences that Allah loves.
In any event, we find the custom of salutations and congratulations in the Prophet’s example, which shows us that congratulating people on auspicious occasions is itself a Sunnah act.
For example, when the boycott was lifted from the three people who had stayed behind without an excuse and Allah revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) that He had accepted their repentance, the Prophet (peace be upon him) congratulated Ka`b b. Malik about it, saying “Be joyful. Allah has accepted your repentance.”
In every instance where a Muslim experiences a blessing in his religious affairs, whether that blessing is personal or general, it is an occasion suited to salutations of joy. It is best to phrase the salutation or congratulation in a way that attributes the blessing to Allah. For instance, one can say: “Congratulations on what Allah has given you!”
The vast majority of Islamic jurists agree that there is nothing wrong or objectionable with the likes of `îd greetings. This is the most well-known statement of Ahmad b. Hanbal. When asked about `îd greetings, he said: “There is nothing wrong with one person saying to another on the day of `îd: ‘May Allah accept it from us and from you’.”
Some of these scholars go further and say that offering such greetings is a recommended practice in Islamic Law.
Ibn `Aqîl mentions some hadîth that provide direct evidence for such greetings.
For instance, he mentions that Muhammad b. Ziyâd relates fro, Abû Umâmah al-Bâhilî and others from among the Prophet’s Companions that when they returned from the `îd prayer, they would say to each other: “May Allah accept it from us and from you.” Ahmad regarded its chain of transmission to be a good one.
`Alî b. Thâbit tells us that he asked Mâlik b. Anas thirty-five years before about this matter, and Mâlik replied: “This has always been the practice in Madînah.”
Ultimately, we do not need a specific hadîth to show us the general permissibility of our greeting each other with salutations and supplications on auspicious and blessed occasions. We should have no doubt that the arrival of Ramadan is one of the greatest of Allah’s blessings upon us, and that it is an appropriate occasion for Muslims to exchange salutations.
Ramadân mubârak! – May we all have a blessed Ramadan!
:salam2:
Greetings and salutations are customary practices. They are governed by the traditions, norms, and customs of people in society. This is as true for Ramadan and `îd greetings as it is for the general congratulations and condolences that apply to everyday events.
This matter, and others like it, are governed by a broad principle in Islamic Law. This is the principle stating that all customs – verbal and non-verbal – are lawful and permitted as long as they do not contradict anything specifically prohibited by Islamic Law or bring about consequences that are contrary to Islamic teachings.
Any custom or tradition that does not violate Islamic teachings is permitted. Such customs are not disliked or discouraged by Islam in any way.
Certain permissible customs or traditions actually bring about consequences for society that are positive, consequences that Allah loves.
In any event, we find the custom of salutations and congratulations in the Prophet’s example, which shows us that congratulating people on auspicious occasions is itself a Sunnah act.
For example, when the boycott was lifted from the three people who had stayed behind without an excuse and Allah revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) that He had accepted their repentance, the Prophet (peace be upon him) congratulated Ka`b b. Malik about it, saying “Be joyful. Allah has accepted your repentance.”
In every instance where a Muslim experiences a blessing in his religious affairs, whether that blessing is personal or general, it is an occasion suited to salutations of joy. It is best to phrase the salutation or congratulation in a way that attributes the blessing to Allah. For instance, one can say: “Congratulations on what Allah has given you!”
The vast majority of Islamic jurists agree that there is nothing wrong or objectionable with the likes of `îd greetings. This is the most well-known statement of Ahmad b. Hanbal. When asked about `îd greetings, he said: “There is nothing wrong with one person saying to another on the day of `îd: ‘May Allah accept it from us and from you’.”
Some of these scholars go further and say that offering such greetings is a recommended practice in Islamic Law.
Ibn `Aqîl mentions some hadîth that provide direct evidence for such greetings.
For instance, he mentions that Muhammad b. Ziyâd relates fro, Abû Umâmah al-Bâhilî and others from among the Prophet’s Companions that when they returned from the `îd prayer, they would say to each other: “May Allah accept it from us and from you.” Ahmad regarded its chain of transmission to be a good one.
`Alî b. Thâbit tells us that he asked Mâlik b. Anas thirty-five years before about this matter, and Mâlik replied: “This has always been the practice in Madînah.”
Ultimately, we do not need a specific hadîth to show us the general permissibility of our greeting each other with salutations and supplications on auspicious and blessed occasions. We should have no doubt that the arrival of Ramadan is one of the greatest of Allah’s blessings upon us, and that it is an appropriate occasion for Muslims to exchange salutations.
Ramadân mubârak! – May we all have a blessed Ramadan!
:salam2:
Jazakallahu Khayran for the reminder.
