Is it permissible in Islam to celebrate Canada Day ?

Question:

Is it permissible in Islam to celebrate Canada Day ? Or is it haram? My family and I have been going outside to see fireworks for years. But if it is haram I want to make sure we don't do this anymore. Also, will Allah forgive us for doing this if it is a sin? Answer: ِﺑ ْﺴ ِﻢ ا ِﷲ اﻟ ﱠﺮ ْﺣﻤ ِﻦ اﻟ ﱠﺮ ِﺣْﯿﻢ In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful In Islam, we are taught to be kind to our fellow human beings, thus Muslims who live in western countries, e.g. Canada or America, should abide by the laws of their respective countries as long as it does not entail sin. If someone is a Canadian or American, it does not obligate them to celebrate the national holidays of the country they live in. In addition, refraining from celebrating a national holiday does not necessitate hatred towards one’s country nor does it contradict kindness. Anas (r.a.) narrated in a Hadith: “The Prophet (s.a.w.) arrived in Madinah, and they had two days in which they would play. The Prophet (s.a.w.) inquired, ‘What are these two days?’ They replied, ‘We used to play during these two days at the time of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic era).’ The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, ‘Verily, Allah has substituted them for you with something better--the day of Adha and Fitr.’” (Abu Dawud: Hadith 1134). In another narration, the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Verily, for every nation, there is an Eid (holiday, festival), and this is our Eid.” (Bukhari: Hadith 952) It is deduced from the above-mentioned Hadiths that the Prophet (s.a.w.) did not approve of Muslims celebrating non-Islamic holidays and that the Muslims only have two days of celebration (Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha), hence they should suffice on them. On the basis thereof, it is impermissible to celebrate Canada Day on account of it being a non-Islamic holiday and entailing resemblance of non-Muslims. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Whoever resembles a nation, then he is from them.” (Abu Dawud: Hadith 4031) Even though Canada Day, and its likes, is not a religious holiday, it is, however, a salient feature of a nation, thus, it would be impermissible to celebrate regardless of it not having any connection with religion. (Iqtidaus Sirat Al-Mustaqeen Mukhalafatu Ashab Al-Jaheem: p. 271 [Al-Maktaba Al-Asriyya]; Fatawa Mahmudia: v. 29, p. 349 [Darul Isha’at]; Tuhfatul Ulema: v. 2, p. 122 [Darul Isha’at])

Allah (s.w.t.) is the most-kind, most-merciful, and most-forgiving. He accepts the repentance of His slaves (Surah Ash-Shura: verse 25), loves those who repent (Surah Al-Baqarah: verse 222), and forgives all sins (Surah Az-Zumar: verse 53), hence, never become despondent. Sincerely repent to Allah (s.w.t.) and He will surely forgive you.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham