Celebrating National Day and Independence Day are not legislated in Islam. They were brought about by the customs and practices of the disbelievers and it is a must to avoid them. Scholars such as Shaykh Ibn Baaz, Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen and Shaykh Saleh Al Fawzaan warned against these celebrations. Let’s look at what each of them have said with regards to Celebrating National Days.

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Shaykh Ibn Baaz (Rahimahullah) on Celebrating National Day

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (Rahimathullah), who was one of the former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia (1993- 1999) answered the following in response to a query concerning innovated holidays and festivals.

هذا اليوم الوطني هو من التشبه بأعداء الله، الأيام الوطنية هو من التشبه، وقد وقع عن حسن نية، واجتهاد، ولكنه فيما يظهر لنا لا يشرع، وليس مما ينبغي، بل هو فيه تشبه لأعداء الله، وإن لم تقصد العبادة، أما لو قصد العبادة؛ يكون بدعة، لكن إذا لم تقصد العبادة، وإنما قصد بذلك التهانئ، وإظهار ما أنشأته الدولة، وما بذلته الدولة، فهذا يكون معتبرًا من جنس الأيام الأخرى التي يحدثها اليهود، والنصارى، وأشباههم للذكرى، أو لأسباب أخرى، فلا ينبغي التشبه بهم، لا في هذا، ولا في غيره.

This National Day (celebration) is an imitation of Allah’s enemies. It may have occurred due to a good intention and based on a judgement made by some people after striving to reach the correct verdict in an affair; but what is apparent to us is that it is not legislated and it is not from that which is befitting; rather an imitation of Allah’s enemies is found within it, even if worship is not intended by way of it. If worship was intended by way of it, then it would be an innovation in religion, but worship is not intended by way of it; rather, what is intended is to congratulate and manifest what the country has established and done. Therefore, this is considered to be similar to the other days initiated by the Jews and Christians (i.e., those amongst them who changed the religion after the departure of their Prophets) for remembrance or for other reasons. Therefore, it is not befitting (permissible) to imitate them—neither in this affair nor in any other than it [i.e., those affairs which Islamic legislation has neither allowed nor legislated).

Taken from the official Website of Shaykh Ibn Baaz (Rahimahullah -May Allah have mercy upon him)

Replying to a Question Posed to Permanent Committee, lead by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (Rahimahullah – May Allah have mercy upon him), they answer the following

Firstly: `Eid (festival) means in Arabic gatherings that Ta’ud (comes again) on a habitual manner. It may come again in a year, a month, or a week. Therefore, the word ‘Eid means a day that comes again like `Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast) or Friday, the gathering on that day and the acts done as acts of worship or habits on that day.

Secondly, anything that is meant to worship Allah, seek to be closer to Him to get reward through doing so or anything meant to be similar to disbelievers and the like is a Bidah that is included in the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.” This Hadith was reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. Celebrating the Prophet’s Mawlid, Mother’s Day, and National Day fall into this category.

The first one includes an act of worship that was not legislated by Allah. Moreover, it contains similarity to the Christians and other disbelievers. The second and the third are prohibited as it is imitating disbelievers. Whatever is in the interest of the Ummah (nation) and arranging its affairs as the Week of the Traffic, arranging the times of studying, holding meetings with employees to arrange work and the like are not acts of worship, they are of the innovated habits that are not included in the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.” Then, there will be no blame for doing so.

May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.

Chairman: ‘Abdul-‘Aziz ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Baaz
Deputy Chairman: Abdur-Razzaq al-Afify

[Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta, Vol.: 3; pp. 86 - 89] - Fatwa No. 9403

It is important to note that While advising the Muslim population to continue supporting and obeying their leaders in all lawful matters, the scholars actively speak out against open violations of the Sharee’ah (Islamic Ruling). The real scholars of Islam do not take advantage of the mistakes of the rulers to call to rebellion against them. They advise them in private to the best of their ability. And it is a must for all of us to pray for the ruler for the betterment of the nation.

Shaykh Saaleh Al Uthaymeen (Rahimahullah) on National day Celebrations

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen, who was one of the prominent Scholars of Saudi Arabia [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

Everything that is taken as a day of day of celebration, repeated every week and every year and is not legislated in Islaam, then it is a Bidah (innovated practice). That is because the One [i.e. Allaah] Who legislates everything has legislated the Aqeeqah for the newly born baby and did not legislate anything after that. Therefore, adopting these celebrations that are repeated every week or every year means that they have likened them to Islamic festivals and this is not permissible. There is nothing in Islam related to festivals except for Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, and (a day set aside for a specific type of worship), which is Friday.

Shaykh Saleh Al Fawzan Al Fawzan (Hafidhahullah – May Allah Preserve him) on Celebrating National day

Shaykh Fawzan Hafidhahullah, who is currently one of the most Senior Islamic Scholars in Saudi Arabia and is a member of Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Issuing Fatwas, replies when a questioner asks regarding celebrating Mothers day, Fathers day and National days

There is no Eid for a Muslim, except but two. Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. Eid Al fitr after completion of Fasting (in Ramadaan) and Eid Al Adha after Standing in Arafah (i.e., Hajj). These are after fulfilling the pillar from the pillars of Islam. The rest of the Eid are Eids from Jaahiliyyah (Ignorance) irrespective of whatever name they call it with.

Listen to all the above 3 Scholars Talking about National Day Celebration