Muslims Q1. Is it permissible for a Muslimto wish his non-Muslim co-workers or neighbors on their festivals and social occasions? What is the Islamic ruling of celebrating Christmas and New Year? A1. Muslims should deal in the best manner possible with everyone around them as Allah has said, “And speak good to people”. (Qur'an,2: 83) “Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes – from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” (Qur'an, 60:8) Therefore, it is permissible to congratulate your non-Muslim neighbor or co-worker on a personal or social occasion. For example, on the birth of a child or on promotion at work, etc. It is not forbidden to accept their invitations to celebrate such personal occasions, as long as it is not associated with their religion and does not include any forbidden practices like serving of alcohol and free mingling of men and women. It is not allowed for Muslims to celebrate Christmas or any other religious festivals like New Year, Saint Patrick's Day, Holi, Diwali, etc. and they should not even attend such celebrations. Congratulating the non-Muslims on their religious festivals implies that one accepts or approves of their religious beliefs and rituals, even though they (Muslims) themselves might not accept it. Thus, it is not permissible to greet them or wish them on their religious occasions. Adhkar after prayers Q2. I have noted that some Muslims immediately start praying the Sunnah, after the Imam concludes the congregational prayer, in the same place without reciting any post-Salah supplication (Adhkar). Kindly explain the importance of Dhikr after Salah and what kind of Adhkar should one recite? A2. The Sunnah is that when one finishes his obligatory prayer, he/she should stay in his/her place and remember Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The angels supplicate in favor of one of you so long as he remains in the place where he has performed his prayer and does not break his ablution. They (the angels) say, ‘O Allah! Forgive him, O Allah! Have mercy on him.'' (Bukhari and Muslim) The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say (Astaghfirullah) I seek forgiveness from Allah, three times, then he would say: O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace. Blessed are You, Owner of Majesty and Honor (Allahumma anta assalam wa mink as salam tabarakta ya tha'l-jalal iwa'l-ikram). It is also recommended to saySubhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar (33 times each) and complete the hundredth by saying La ilahailla Allah wahdahu la sharika lahu lahul al-mulk wa lahul hamd wahuwa `ala kull shay'in qadir. Then, it is recommended to recite Ayat Al -Kursi (Qur'an, 1:255) because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, whoever recites Aayat Al-Kursi immediately after each prescribed prayer, there will be nothing standing between him and Paradise except death. (An-Nasai; Imam Al-Albani authenticated it in Sahih Al-Jami As-Sagheer) Apart from it one should also recite the last three Surahs of the Qur'an (three times each after Fajr and Maghrib prayers and only once after other prayers). I recommend that you get the book “Hisn Al-Muslim” or download it for free from the Internet (available in different languages) to refer for other authentic Sunnahs. Ruling on mercy killing Q3. I'm working in a hospital where they practice mercy killing, and sometime I receive instructions to give the patient akind of injection or medicine that will end his life? Am I committing a sin by doing this? A3. So-called mercy killing is forbidden in Islam because no one has mercy more than Allah on His creations, and killing any soul is a major sin, as Allah has said, “Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land — it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. (Qur'an, 5:32) You should not do it even if they terminate you from work for Allah will give you something better than that if you fear Him and stay away from whatever He forbids us to do. And Allah knows best. __
