If you’re in the UK, you’ll know that we are heading towards the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. I’ve posted a few blogs before about Muslims celebrating and getting involved in non-Muslim occasions. But in case you haven’t read them, it essentially boils down to this – Muslims have been given Eid for celebration by Allah; there is no need for other celebrations and certainly it is haraam to imitate the non-Muslims.
So what’s the problem with the Queen’s Jubilee? To answer this, I suggest looking at the issue in another way – why celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee?
There is no system of monarchy in Islam, no kings or queens, no royal family. True, there have been many occasions in history where Prophets (may peace be upon them all) have had to deal with rulers but in Islam, good people are defined by good actions, not by lineage. Why should one particular family be held up on such a high status for generation after generation? The same family that has done little to help Muslims, the same family that has been the figurehead for a country that has destroyed Muslim countries and left a trail of disunity, fighting, civil unrest and fitna in its wake. The same family that has done nothing to help those suffering in Syria and in Palestine. The same family that actually is in a position and has the power to help, but has not done so. Why celebrate then, the Queen’s Jubilee? What’s the justification for this?
Next, what is it actually that is being celebrated by the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee? Sixty years of the reign of the monarch of Great Britain. Now can you point out the benefit that this monarch has brought to Muslims? Can you point out how the Queen, who has travelled across the whole world and seen amazing sights and met with people from all backgrounds and in all kinds of situations, has submitted to Allah? What do we owe to this Queen, that warrants us to celebrate her reign?
Is it fair that while we are in one of the worst recessions for decades, that one family in particular is still living a life of luxury that many of us cannot even dream of? The Royal Family is being kept in luxury by the taxes of those working so hard in the country but receiving little in return. The Royal Family sees itself as being of a higher class than the normal person who lives on benefits, or is unemployed, or studying hard to make a career for themselves. The Royal Family receives millions of pounds each year, to keep them in this rich lifestyle, whilst others struggle. Many organisations and companies are scrutinised to ensure that they do not allow inequality, yet what of the inequality displayed by the Royal Family and the Queen herself? Is there a coloured face in this Royal Family? Are there Muslims in this Royal Family? Is this really something worth celebrating?
As a sincere Muslim, wouldn’t you ponder over these things?
Next, why engage in activities that are really for those who aren’t Muslim? Why imitate the kufaar?
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” [Abu Dawud]
The following hadiths are examples of how Muslims should not imitate the actions of non-Muslims.
Al-Bayhaqi reported in his Sunan that Anas Bin Maalik رضي الله عنه said: “When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم came to Medina, the people had two holidays from the days of Jahiliyyah.” He صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: “When I came to you, you had two days which you used to celebrate in Jahiliyyah. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has replaced them for you with better days, the days of slaughter (Adhaa) and the day of fitr.”
This is not about Muslims being segregated from society but more the opposite. This is about Muslims standing up and being identified as Muslims – not as though they have some confused fusion of identities. Islam is clear and Muslims need to be also. By being identified as Muslims, what Muslims stand for, what Islam stands for, you will gain respect from other Muslims, gain understanding and respect from non-Muslims and start to create societies where Muslims can be seen to have their place.
What should Muslims do?
Muslims need to stop engaging in non-Muslim festivities, parties, the giving of presents, sending cards, giving greetings. This is not Islamic so don’t have one foot in Islam and one foot in something else. Instead, celebrate Islam – you have two Eids and can make the most of this. Be devout and upstanding Muslims that non-Muslims can respect for their Islamic values and morals and beliefs. If you don’t then what do you stand for?
Muslims need to come to terms with an Islamic identity and the fact that we are ordered by Allah not to imitate the kuffaar – the non-Muslims. If anything, the non-Muslims have much to gain by imitating Muslims and learning from Muslims. We should be the role models, not the other way round. How will non-Muslims learn the errors of their ways, if we imitate them? Also, if we imitate the non-Muslims in the things they do, then where do you draw the line? The fairest and most just way is to not engage in festivities that are not Islamic.
Explain to non-Muslims about Islamic values and how we celebrate on Eid. They are not aliens and will understand.
Muslims… you need to act like Muslims and BE Muslims, following Islam and showing everyone the beauty of Islam.
Other similar topics:
The Royal Wedding or Day of Judgement – Which event is more important to you?
Al-Mawlid: Celebrating the Prophet’s (pbuh) birthday – why is it a big NO?
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Lovely piece and nicely written. I believe it’s a good template regarding other non-,muslim celebrations as well.
whatever…, but there is one thing even a bigger greater sin and it is….Shirk! All people one earth are mankind, the descendent’s of Adam and Eve and there is no king or queen, except for the almighty.
Absolutely agree with you.
“we are ordered by Allah not to imitate the kuffaar”
Why do Muslims drive cars?
Why do Muslims eat Pizza, Chips?
Why do Muslims, like yourself use the Internet?
The list goes on…
Transportation is not imitation. Eating is not imitation. Using tools like the internet is not imitation. Celebrations is. If you are confused about this, please ask a scholar.
Actually it is: Definition:
“The action of using someone or something as a model: e.g.a child learns to speak by imitation”
The Muslims having learnt to cook, sell Western Foods.
The Muslims have learnt to drive, make cars for better lifestyles
The Muslims use the internet as a method to learn, to watch rather than pick up a book.
Then main point is THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH SECULAR CELEBRATIONS!
Sorry but unfortunately your argument is flawed in that you are not using any Islamic references to put your point forward. You have an opinion but it’s not an Islamic one nor a scholarly one, and if there is a Islamic ruling, which there is (look up Al-Waraa wa’l Baraa and the hadiths and explanations behind imitating the disbelievers), then this takes precedent over your opinion. Also, nothing in Islam conflicts with any other part of Islam. So you cannot claim there is nothing wrong with secular celebrations when there is the following hadiths (I am sure you wouldn’t place yourself as knowing better than the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)):
Al-Bayhaqi reported in his Sunan that Anas Bin Maalik رضي الله عنه said: “When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم came to Medina, the people had two holidays from the days of Jahiliyyah.” He صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: “When I came to you, you had two days which you used to celebrate in Jahiliyyah. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has replaced them for you with better days, the days of slaughter (Adhaa) and the day of fitr.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The worst of matters are those which are newly-invented, and every innovation is a going-astray.” Narrated by Muslim, 867; al-Nasaa’i, 1578. Al-Nasaa’i’s report adds the words: “And every going astray will be in the Fire.”
Explaining the seriousness of celebrating festivals other than the Islamic Eids, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stated that some peoples or groups in his ummah would follow the People of the Book in some of their rituals and traditions, as is narrated in the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “They will follow the ways of those who came before them, handspan by handspan, cubit by cubit, until even if they entered a lizard’s hole they will follow them.” We said: “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said: “Who else?” Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim…
Jazak’Allah khayr for your comments but this is not a point of debate so I will not continue to entertain a debate on this clear issue. Asalaam alaikum and May Allah Guide us all.
One thing that is clear is the Brits gave thousands of Muslims visa’s to immigrat and live in England. Many people left their Muslim countries on purpose looking for a better life. And many people are continuously trying to leave those countries.
Agreed. BUT the visa requirements have been made tougher and these Muslims come to face racism by the locals. And, the Queen has no say in these affairs – so we are still left with what has the Queen done for Muslims, or even what has the Queen done for her people and why is she living in luxury whilst many lose their homes and jobs and live in poor conditions? And if you look into the history of many of the Muslim countries, you will find that countries like the UK have been instrumental in the instability of those Muslim countries (although I would add that those dictatorships still carry the responsibility of the crimes they have committed against innocents).
as salaam alaikum, its sad that some muslim always focus on the negative and not the positive of what some one with more money and power than them does.
When Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 very few ordinary working class children went to school. They were usually so poor that the parents had to send their children to work to earn some much needed money.
By the end of Queen Victoria’s reign a huge network of schools covered Britain and the law required all children to attend school. This changed peoples lives in important ways, not only in the UK but also in the commonwealth.
However you maybe also be one of those brothers who think girls should not receive education, alhmdulilah we can read now and we can read the Quran for ourselves and see that in the Quran we have rights as women.
these occasions provide opportunities for muslim to give dowa to non muslims, I went to a street party and sat down and shared food with my neighbours
“Let none of you despise giving to a neighbor,even if its a roasted sheep’s trotters” Malik AL Muwatta, vol 58, number 4.
“The best neighbour is the one who behaves best to his neighbors” Timidhi.
there was a sad absence of mulsim brothers but sisters were theri suppiorting theri children to jump up and down on the bouncy castle with their non mulsim neighbors while chatting to the other mums, are we so weak as muslim women that we, in our hijaab, will be carried away but our non muslim neighbors or are the weak ones the ones who stay inside their houses and mosks scorning those who give love and share food…….?????
REMEMBER WE CAN READ NOW AND WE READ THE QURAN AND LET ALLAH SPEAK TO US, ALHMDULILAH
Wa alaikum salaam.
Some assertions you made are not becoming of a Muslim – such as suggesting that I am one of those brothers who think girls should not receive an education – there is no need for a personal attack and certainly this is not my thinking. Also, you seem to have mistaken this article as being about Muslim women – it isn’t.
Secondly, we are talking about Queen Elizabeth, not Victoria. And some of what I have pointed out is actually also echoed by non-Muslims living in the UK (eg. the Queen living in luxury whilst they live in poverty). I note that you skipped these points.
Thirdly, these occasions are not used for Da’wah by the majority of Muslim who take part in them – they are used for entertainment. The street parties are primarily to celebrate the life and reign of a non-Muslim and this is hardly something that pleases Allah.
Fourthly, you do not have to be unkind to a neighbour by not taking part – you can politely decline, as you would decline any haraam food they might offer you and there is no suggestion by my article of not being kind to neighbours. But that doesn’t mean that we parttake in their misguidance.
Finally, the Islamic rulings on celebrations are clear. It’s not an opinion nor something that I have come up with. If you view it as negative then perhaps you need to review your position – are you more keen to please the Queen and our neighbours than you are to please Allah? If you are unhappy with the Islamic ruling then perhaps you need to complain to Allah, not those that give the message?
Jazakillah khayr for your comment. May Allah Guide us all.
So why do you come to England then, why do you have no respect for our ways?
The jubilee was a coming together of all in this nation.
That’s very sad.
I was born in England and didn’t come here. This is not about respect for ‘English’ ways – this is about the Queen and her ways. And many many ‘English’ or ‘British’ people also do not support the Royal Family.