Q: Is it permissible to celebrate Thanksgiving?
A: There is no basis for this in Islam. However, Islam teaches us to be thankful and grateful to people who have been good to us according to their levels, not just on one occasion, rather on all occasions and at all times. Firstly to Allah Ta`ala, for the countless gifts that He blesses us with and then to people according to the kindness they have done to us.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Q: I do understand that its about making shukar. My question was not clear.
Living in America and celebrating it on the day doing what the non-Muslims do like cooking turkey and then having a table that looks like its Christmas. Celebrating thanksgiving and giving thanks on this day but our Islamic days such as Ashura is not given the same importance. Isn't this wrong?
A: Your mistake is that you want Islam to emulate and conform to ways that are alien to Islam. Non-Muslims have their own values and celebrations and they may seem to be attractive, but they have absolutely no truck with Islam and Islamic values and thinking.
Our practice, our life, our death, our beliefs and scruples must be in tune with the mubaarak ways of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). It must not at all be conforming to kuffaar standards and behaviour. Make taubah for this.
And by the way, we do not dedicate a day for thanksgiving. We will offer thanks to Allah Ta`ala many times in a single day; upon getting up, upon sneezing, after relieving oneself, upon being blessed with fulfilling our daily obligations five times a day, upon the favours of health, wife and children. The favours are so innumeeable that we are taught to say the words: "لا أحصي ثناء عليك"
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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