Question:
Assalaamu alaikum.. I want to find out if it would be permissible for me to sell Christmas/Diwali/Halloween /Easter/valentines themed decorated cookies? I’m aware it would be wrong to do designs that are directly rooted in shirk such as writing “shubh diwali” or “merry Christmas” or the “om” sign but would it be permissible to do other seasonal designs? Such as pumpkin for Halloween or henna design for Diwali or a christmas tree or snowflake for christmas, Easter egg, hearts for valentines etc. JazakAllah khair.
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As Muslims we are sensitive to our belief of pure Tawḥīd (Oneness of Allah Taʿālā). This requires us to also completely disassociate ourselves from all practices related to Christianity and other religions.
Allah Ta’ala says إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ
Definitely, the only religion acceptable to Allah is Islam. (Al-Imran19).
In order to preserve our Imaan and value, we are even prohibited to imitate the disbelievers.
The Prophet ﷺ has said: “Whosoever emulates a nation is amongst them” (Sunan Abi Dawud)
In view of the above, it is not permissible for a Muslim to harmonize in the religious festivals and ceremonies of non-Muslims.
Such items that are specifically connected to un-Islamic and baseless beliefs and practices, it would not be permissible to sell them, as such items are a symbol of their falsehood and are not used for any other purpose except for their worship and rituals. Examples of these items are crucification crosses, statues, idols, Diwali/Christmas cards etc.
This rule also applies to items which are generally used, but the symbols of shirk and kufr are displayed on them (i.e printed, painted, engraved, embroidered or attached in any way).
Such prohibition is clearly stated in Hadith:
أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لم يكن يترك في بيته شيئا فيه تصاليب إلا نقضه
“The Holy Prophet ﷺ would not leave anything in his house on which there was a cross but he would alter it.”(Bukhari)
The reason from this prohibition is because by trading in such items, one is directly assisting and promoting evil and shirk, which is forbidden as it goes against the spirit of Tawheed. Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Holy Quran:
وتعاونوا على البر والتقوى ولا تعاونوا على الإثم والعدوان واتقوا الله إن الله شديد العقاب
And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah, indeed, Allah is severe in penalty. (Surah Al Maaidah, verse 2)
If however the items can normally be used for multiple purposes, it would be permissible to sell it (i.e. it is used for their rituals as well as other things which are permissible).
Designs such as a pumpkin for Halloween, heart for Valentines, Christmas tree for Christmas will also fall under the same prohibition as mentioned above. These items are understood and well-known symbols of the respective occasions.
It is permissible to take advantage of such seasons to increase sales in a permissible manner. One may offer specialized items, discounts, offers etc, providing it is Halal and free of the above mentioned points.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best.
Mufti Arshad Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
