How Muslims should behave during non-Muslim festivals

Allah Almighty says that He does not forbid you from being kind and just to those who do not fight against you in matters of religion and do not expel you from your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly (Surah Al-Mumtahina). This verse clearly lays down the guideline for how Muslims should interact with non-Muslims. Therefore, in normal circumstances, Muslims should maintain regular social relations with non-Muslims.

Once, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw a dead body. People said, “O Messenger of Allah, this is the body of a Jew.” He replied, “Is he not a human being?” (Bukhari, Muslim). This teaches us that every human, regardless of faith, deserves human dignity.

However, while practicing generosity, one should not become indifferent to the uniqueness and distinct identity of their own religion. Islam encourages being generous, but not careless or negligent about one’s own faith.

During Hindu religious festivals, some people in the name of “tolerance” may become indifferent, saying things like “religion is personal; festivals are for everyone.” Interestingly, such slogans are usually only voiced during Hindu festivals. They are not expressed during the Islamic festivals of Eid ul-Fitr or Eid ul-Adha, which shows that there is often a particular agenda behind these statements.

Islam does not require that non-Muslims participate in our religious celebrations, nor should we try to impose our faith on them. But why can Muslims not participate in Hindu pujas? The main rituals of such pujas involve shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is the gravest sin in Islam. Allah says, “Indeed, associating partners with Allah is a great injustice” (Surah Luqman), and elsewhere He says that He does not forgive associating partners with Him, though He may forgive other sins (Surah An-Nisa).

Hindus may perform their religious practices according to their beliefs, and Islam does not teach us to obstruct them. However, since participation would involve shirk, we cannot partake in such festivals. Islam does not approve of such “generosity.” Not all acts of generosity are commendable.

To illustrate: In a democratic country, multiple political parties exist, each following its own ideology. If, in the name of generosity, a member of one party participates in another party’s event and chants slogans against their own party’s principles, people would not call them generous; they would call them a hypocrite. If political parties can have such a strong sense of identity, then the awareness and distinctiveness of your religious beliefs must be even stronger.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself maintained a strong sense of religious identity. For example, during Ashura, he ensured that Muslim fasting remained distinct from Jewish fasting. He emphasized maintaining the distinctiveness of acts of worship, and if such care was taken even in worship, one can easily understand how serious it is to avoid imitating non-Muslims in acts that involve shirk.

Another point to note: Reports of attacks on temples or idol-breaking during puja are never permissible. Such acts are highly unjust, and those with true knowledge of religion would never commit them. Therefore, local responsible individuals must remain vigilant to prevent anyone from attacking temples and causing social unrest or damaging communal harmony.