Hello friends, how are you all? I hope you are doing well. Today’s topic is Holi. As you all know, Holi is a festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in India and by Hindus around the world. Today is 14/03/2025, and it is the day of Holi. Many of our Muslim brothers and sisters also take part in this festival.
In today’s blog, we will discuss the question: “Can Muslims Celebrate Holi”What is the Islamic perspective on celebrating Holi?”I request you all to stay with me until the end, as I will provide you with valuable information, InshaAllah.
My dear Muslim brothers and sisters, the Prophet (SAW) said that whoever imitates a people will be resurrected with them on the Day of Judgment. This means that if we, as Muslims, adopt the festivals of any other community—whether it is Holi or any other celebration that Islam does not permit—then by participating in it, our fate will be the same as theirs. May Allah protect us. I would just say that celebrating Holi is wrong in Islam, and Islam does not allow it.
Now, I want to provide references from the Quran and Hadith for the claim I have made because until we prove something 100%, it remains weak. Therefore, we will substantiate our statement by giving evidence from the Quran and Hadith. The references from both the Quran and Hadith are available before you. Kindly read them carefully.
Quranic References:
- Surah Al-Furqan (25:72)
“And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by futility, they pass by it with dignity.”
(وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا)
Interpretation: Many scholars interpret “falsehood” (زور) as idolatrous festivals and celebrations that contradict Islamic beliefs. - Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:3)
“This day, I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.”
(ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمَ دِينٗا)
Interpretation: This verse establishes that Islam is a complete way of life, and there is no need to adopt practices from other religions.
Hadith References:
- Sunan Abu Dawood (4031) – Authentic (Sahih)
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
(مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ)
Interpretation: This Hadith warns against adopting the customs and traditions of non-Muslims, including their religious festivals. - Sunan An-Nasa’i (1556)
Ibn Umar (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said:
“Every nation has its own festivals, and this (Eid) is ours.”
Interpretation: Islam has prescribed its own celebrations (Eid al-Fitr & Eid al-Adha), and Muslims should not participate in non-Islamic religious festivals. - Sahih al-Bukhari (1865)
It is narrated that when the Prophet (SAW) arrived in Madinah, he found people celebrating two festivals. He asked about them, and they said, “These are our traditional days of fun.” The Prophet (SAW) replied:
“Allah has replaced them with two better days: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.”
Interpretation: This Hadith establishes that Muslims should follow the festivals given by Islam rather than celebrating non-Islamic ones.
This is a question that has become a point of concern for many people. Why is that? In India, people of many religions live together—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians—all coexisting with love and harmony. Whenever a festival comes, people invite those from other religions as well (for gatherings or feasts). Out of love and respect, it often becomes necessary to attend because if one doesn’t go, the host might feel offended, etc.
This is absolutely correct. If people do not share each other’s happiness and sorrow on such joyful occasions, it creates rifts of hatred and resentment, which is very wrong. Islam does not allow this either. Islam teaches love, compassion, and maintaining strong relationships with everyone. It encourages living together in harmony. So, in such situations, I will try to help you understand what we should do.
First, we will look at this matter in the light of Islam to see what the Quran, Hadith, and our scholars teach about it.
1.Hadith References:
- Sunan Abi Dawood (4031) – Hadith on Imitation
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: Whoever imitates a people is one of them.
(This hadith is often cited when discussing participation in non-Muslim festivals, especially if it involves imitating their religious rituals.) - Sahih al-Bukhari (2588)
Indeed, the most beloved religion in the sight of Allah is the religion of the upright and tolerant (easygoing in practice).
(This hadith shows Islam’s balanced approach to interacting with people of other faiths.) - Sunan An-Nasa’i (1578)
The Prophet (ﷺ) arrived in Madinah and found that the people were celebrating two festivals. He said: ‘What are these two days?’ They said: ‘We used to celebrate these festivals in the pre-Islamic era.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Indeed, Allah has replaced them with two better days: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.’
(This hadith indicates that Islam introduced its own festivals and discouraged participation in religious celebrations from pre-Islamic traditions.)
2. Scholarly Opinions:
- Many scholars differentiate between social participation (e.g., attending as a neighbor or friend for goodwill) and religious involvement (e.g., engaging in rituals or prayers of another faith).
- Some scholars, like Ibn Taymiyyah, were strict in prohibiting any form of participation, while others, like Mufti Taqi Usmani, allow limited social participation as long as it does not involve religious imitation.
Dear friends, I have presented a hadith and references from some scholars, explaining that if we need to participate in others’ happy or sad moments, we can do so, but we cannot adopt their rituals.
Let me explain this more simply. For example, I am a Muslim, and my Hindu neighbor is celebrating a festival. He invites me, and it becomes necessary for me to attend to avoid any issues. So, I go there, meet everyone nicely, spend some time with them, and then leave.
However, if he asks me to participate in their religious activities, I will politely explain to him, My dear brother, I am a Muslim, and my religion does not allow me to do this. If I do, I will be going against my faith. I can explain this to him in a respectful way, and he will surely understand and not be offended. This way, he remains happy, and I remain happy.
So, friends, this is how we can fulfill the rights of our neighbors.
My dear friends, in the end, I will present to you a Hadith, which is the very first Hadith:
إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ
Its translation is:
Actions are judged by intentions.
From this Hadith, it becomes clear that we should first correct our intentions in everything we do. When our intention is right, decisions will be made accordingly, and it will also become easier for us to carry out our actions.
In any case, I hope you have understood everything easily because I have explained each point with simple examples.
FAQs
- Is it haram for Muslims to celebrate Holi? Participating in religious rituals or practices that contradict Islamic teachings is not permissible. However, engaging in cultural aspects without religious connotations may be acceptable.
- Can Muslims play with colors during Holi? Playing with colors is generally seen as a cultural activity. If it’s done in a respectful and non-religious context, it might be permissible. However, some scholars advise caution to avoid imitating other religions.
- What if my friends invite me to a Holi celebration? You can attend if the event is cultural and doesn’t involve religious rituals. Use the opportunity to build friendships and show respect for their traditions.
- How can I explain my boundaries to non-Muslim friends? Be honest and respectful. Explain that while you appreciate the invitation, there are certain aspects of the celebration that conflict with your religious beliefs.
Conclusion
Holi permissible for Muslims or not is a principal, rather than a merely practical query, since it touches on the Islamic prescriptions of how far one is allowed to go while being respectful to others of different faiths and yet do not transgress its limits. social and cultural interactions. Is celebrating In a multicultural society like ours, Muslims frequently encounter situations where they must navigate their faith alongside identity while developing goodwill and understanding with others. you can join through socializing, eating, if the approach is intact from Islam and pure with good intention. The challenge is to keep one’s faith and we’ve mentioned, Islam has specific guidance on that. Although partaking in any religious practices, worships, rituals, etc. that are against of Islamic guidance is forbidden in Islam but cultural and social aspects of the feast, if there are, As with their neighbors and friends without losing their faith. need not to lose our religious identity and for avoidance of anything contrary to Islam. This way, Muslims will be able to develop strong relationships of respect learners us kindness, compassion and respect for people of all faiths. At the time, he also underscored the The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that with Islam we can act in accordance with our religion and live in love and togetherness. in the cultural aspects of the celebration to foster peace and respect for one another our country. May we try to practice the teachings of Islam, so As Muslims, we are prohibited from celebrating the religious aspects of Holi, but if our intentions are clear and we remain within limits, we can participate
A Post Written with Dedication and Research
My friends, I have written this post for you with hard work and dedication. I have done a lot of research for it, and it took me four days to complete. I only seek your love, support, and encouragement. If I have made any mistakes in writing, please mention them in the comments for my improvement. I pray to Allah that He blesses me and all of you with the knowledge of Islam. Ameen.
