In the Name of Allaah, the Ever-Merciful…
The National Day, or “al-Yowm al-Watanee”, widely celebrated in the various Muslim countries as a national holiday, is a bid’ah (blameworthy innovation) in Islam and an impermissible act of imitating the non-Muslims.
As collected in the two Saheehs of al-Bukhaaree and Muslim, the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said:
من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو رد
“Whoever introduces something into this affair of ours (Islaam) that which is not part of it shall have it rejected.”
And he said:
من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم
“Whoever imitates a people is from them.”
The scholars have always spoken openly about this. One clear example would be Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz and Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq ‘Afeefee and their open fatwaa, published in the Permanent Committee’s Collection of Fatwaas (3/86-89), about the observance of this day in their own country.
Since Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq ‘Afeefee (may Allaah have Mercy on him) passed away in the year 1415, we know this fatwaa was issued at least 18 years ago. Furthermore, it remains in circulation through printings and reprintings of the collection of fatwaas.
Important Benefit: The real scholars of Islam do not take advantage of the mistakes or sins of the rulers to call to rebellion against them, directly or indirectly, as is the case with many political activists who may be incorrectly referred to as scholars by the common people, TV stations, newspapers, etc. The scholars actively speak against open violations of the Sharee’ah, while reminding the Muslim masses to remain supportive of their leaders and obedient to them in all permissible affairs.
If the senior scholars, like Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have Mercy on him), were really “scholars for dollars” as many ignorant people claim, then how could they issue such a fatwaa? And where is the censure of this fatwaa from the other “scholars for dollars” who would endorse everything done by the rulers, as some claim?!
This is just another example that shows that these words of blame cast upon our great scholars have no basis at all, and in fact they are just part of a larger plot to turn the Muslims away from their most knowldgeable scholars, and mislead them into the hands of propped up political activists who will only harm them.
And all praises are due to Allaah, the One who grants success and understanding in the Religion to whomever He pleases. May He raise the rank of his Messenger and grant him peace.
Written by: Moosaa Richardson
Edited: 10/1/2012
Very beneficial, Ahlul sunnah as salafiyeen are indeed the moderate group balanced and correct barakallh feek
Some people who have not read the wording of the question and answer (both dated at least 18 years ago) have assumed that the scholars were talking about the “national days” of other countries. Some have said the Saudi National Day did not exist back then (!), so they were obviously not referring to it. Before we go to far with the assumptions, its the Saudi National Day, as mentioned in the question clearly. The internet is FULL of people commenting on academic issues based on whimsical assumptions without reading the material. Knowledge is before speech and action.
Some people even said the Arabic fatwaa was removed from the Lajnah’s website!! (because they could not find it on google I guess). The link to the official English translation is above in the article, and here’s the link to the Arabic original from the Lajnah’s website:
http://www.alifta.org/Fatawa/FatawaDetails.aspx?View=Page&PageID=810&PageNo=1&BookID=3
Knowledge is before speech and action, brothers and sisters. This issue for some reasons is really disturbing some people who have gone very far into the “Saudi scholars are government agents” conspiracies. May Allah guide them.
The below link has more quotes from the Salafee Ulema’ which refutes the following myths:-
“Salafee Ulema’ are government scholars?”
“Salafee Ulema’ are afraid of the rulers”
“Salafee Ulema’ are under pressure from the goverments”
http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=16&Topic=7205
Assalaamu alaikum.
A beneficial post and good to see clear fataawa from Ahlus-Sunnah.
I have a question not directly related to the topic but it is linked…
During the national day, flags of Saudi Arabia could be seen everywhere and the pictures of the flag were being used in all sorts of products such as t-shirts, stationary, hats etc…
You can sometimes see these items thrown on the ground or being stepped upon.
The flag (as we know) contains the tremendous statement of tawheed which includes the name of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala).
Have any of the Ulema spoken about the way people treat these flags and products which have this statement inscribed on them?
wa alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. The harms of this day are many, including and not limited to: disgracing the Name of Allaah and the testimony of faith by having them on things that are not respected or revered (as you have mentioned), face painting and disgracing oneself, screaming and chanting in public, wasted time and money on purchasing and using all kinds of pointless memorabilia, like fireworks, banners, clothing, etc., reckless driving (more than normal) including people standing on top of moving cars, division among the Muslim (as other Arabs in Saudi cities do not have the same attachment to the country), fighting, abusive language, excessive littering, etc. I don’t know of something from the scholars covering these issues in detail specifically for the National Day, but perhaps some of our visitors may, and of course they are welcome to direct us to what they have come across.
May Allah reward you for this beneficial article. What about national anthems? Is it permissible to partake in singing national anthems in schools and ceremonies, as long as the anthem contains no shirk? If you have some info on this issue, it would be appreciated.
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum. Your question was answered here: https://www.bakkah.net/en/the-saudi-national-day-is-bidah-blameworthy-innovation-and-an-imitation-of-the-non-muslims.htm#comment-5397
Bismillaah alhamdulillaah
i would really want some answer to the question above, what is the ruling for singing national anthems? i advice Those around me to not do so. I also adviced My siblings to never sing the national anthems, because i hate to hear any national anthems, its so nationalistics. But for the elder it may be hard to advice them. I only advice them because they become Pride of their country etc. Nationalistics. I don’t want them to become blind and i don’t want them to only think about their homeland. Also i am wondering whats the ruling on saying i am proud turkish etc. ? Is this allowed.
It is not permissible to sing national anthems, nor is it allowed to stand for them or for flags, whether the country is Islamic or not. The Permanent Committee of Scholars in Saudi Arabia (1/235) issued a verdict:
“It is not permissible to stand in respect for any flag or national anthem. Rather, it is a kind of evil innovation that was not found in the time of the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), nor in the time of his rightly-guided Caliphs (may Allaah be pleased with them). It is something that negates the completeness of the obligatory towheed and sincere reverence that only Allaah deserves. Furthermore, it can lead to shirk (polytheism). There is also the element of resembling the disbelievers and blindly following them in their filthy customs and sharing their extremism for their leaders and their official ceremonies. The Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) forbade resembling and imitating them.”
AN INFORMATIVE AND BEAUTIFUL ARTICLE BY BR.MOOSA ON
EVERYTHING ABOUT NATIONAL DAYS,NATIONAL ANTHEMS.HE
HAS ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS CLEARLY, AND THAT,
THESE ARE NOT ISLAMIC. PRACTICES.. .MAY ALLAH REWARD
AND PRESERVE HIM FOR HIS SERVICES TO ISLAM.
You touched on the subject of face painting.
Is it only disallowed on these national day celebrations due to the nationalistic aspect? or is face painting not allowed on say eid celebrations where perhaps we refrain from flags and animals etc?
Also can it be compared to using make up?
Jazak Allaah Khair
What about the common practice of schools in the US, where students stand every morning and recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag, the words of which are: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.” What is the ruling on a Muslim school child reciting this? Does this pledge constitute kufr?
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum. Moosaa answered your question here: https://www.bakkah.net/en/the-saudi-national-day-is-bidah-blameworthy-innovation-and-an-imitation-of-the-non-muslims.htm#comment-5397
Assalamu alaykum
I understand that this day is impermissible to celebrate but what I do not understand is how one can call it bidah because those that celebrate it do not do so in the name of Islam and they do not believe that they will be rewarded for celebrating. Can you clarify akhi Moosaa?
Baarakallahu Feek
Wa ‘Alaikumus Salaam. Following the Sunnah is to not only do what the prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did. But it’s also what he DIDN’T do.
At his time, he definitely had the ability to celebrate “Madeenah day.” Or he could have made a yearly day about his migration from Mecca to Madeenah. But his way (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was to not do so. Rather, the Sunnah was to not do that. So it’s a Bid’ah because: The sunnah was to NOT celebrate national days.
May Allah reward and preserve him
for his continuing services to our
Deen. I have known him since
I met him first when he was a
student of Sh.Rabee (hafidhahullah)
Every year I went for Umrah,I would
never miss meeting my Shaikh and
Br.Moosa would be there.
Had the joy of breaking fast with them. Memories I treasure .
Essalam alayka dear brother, I think I have found a typo, in the 1st paragraphe it is written “impermissable”, I think it is “impermissible”.
(English is not my mother tongue, sorry if I’m wrong)
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. May Allaah reward you! [fixed]
Assalamu’alaykum was raHmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu..
Ustaadh, are the prayer beads a matter of permissible ijtihaad in the religion and have the scholars differed over its ruling? Are they being an innovation dependent upon the intention behind using them? One person told me that he uses them for aiding in remembering the number of times he has uttered a specific supplication and that he doesn’t believe that there is some added virtue in using them.
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. The scholars have mentioned a number of issues related to them:
1) They physically resemble the rosary beads of Catholics.
2) They are used in a way that is similar to how Catholics use their rosary beads.
3) They were not used by the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) or his Companions.
4) The Sunnah is easy and sufficient, counting upon one’s right hand.
5) The beads are commonly taken as an open sign of piety by irreligious or disobedient people.
For these and other reasons, they should be avoided, and Allaah knows best.
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Moosaa,
I’ve learnt that exposing the sins of Muslim rulers is itself a sin. Does this also include news-reporting, such as “The Muslim ruler approved an interest-based bank” for the purpose of spreading news but not intending to verbally attack them?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Muslims consider the benefits and harms of what they do. What would be the possible benefit of spreading such news?
A lot of people in my area preach openly against the Muslim rulers. I tell them that the scholars said this is not permissible and is also backbiting. They may say back “Does that mean spreading news is bad also?”. And I don’t know how to answer that question. Though the only “benefit” they would say is to “raise awareness in case someone will rise up and fix this.”
But the answer to this is to advise the ruler in private using scholars or letters. I just remembered that. Thank you.
Assalamu alaikum,
Is it permissible for a man to test the Qur’aanic recitation of a female who is not a mahram to her and reached the age of puberty, for example in schools?
Is the voice of a female awrah?
Please clarify. Jazakallah Khairan.
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله
If the government declares “National Day” or “‘Eidul-Mawlid” to be a public holiday (in which offices, schools, etc. are supposed to be closed), should we still go to work if we have the option? In my country, I have heard that it’s against the law for an office, etc. to declare that day to be a working day when the govt. has announced a public holiday. Should we abide by such a law or would that be obeying the govt. in haraam?
جزاكم الله خيرا وأحسن إليكم