Is It Sinful to Participate in Workplace Easter Tasks Like Greetings and Gifts?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
Is it sinful or disbelief to participate in workplace tasks like sending Easter greetings and gifts, even if done unwillingly?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Sharing in the religious activities of other religions is sinful and must be avoided. [‘Ala’ al-Din ‘Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-‘Ala’iyya]
These acts are not inherently disbelief, unless one believes in something contrary to an obligatory belief in Islam. [Tahawi, ‘Aqida al-Tahawiyya]
Easter/Passover has both Christian and Pagan roots. Passover correlates to their belief in the death of Jesus (peace be upon him), and Easter relates to worship of the god of fertility, Ester. Both of these beliefs are in direct conflict with the tenets of Islam.
That said, you should respectfully decline participation in any workplace customs that conflict with Islamic teachings.
Related:
- Can I Go to a Non-Muslim University That Celebrates Pagan Festivals?
- Is it Allowed to Celebrate Valentine’s Day, Nowruz, Mahrajan, and Yalda?
- Can We Participate in Any Non-Islamic Religious Celebration?
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.
There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.
Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.
