Islamic Ruling and Scholarly Opinions on Offering Congratulations for the New Hijri Year
✒ An overview of differing scholarly views on a common practice
The beginning of the Islamic New Year (Hijri) is a moment when many Muslims offer greetings and supplications to one another. However, Islamic scholars have differing views regarding the legitimacy and practice of offering such congratulations. Below is a summary of notable opinions from renowned scholars.
According to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn رحمه الله تعالى:
✔ If someone offers you congratulations, you should respond.
✔ However, it is better to avoid initiating the congratulatory greeting.
✔ A suitable response would be:
❝ اللَّهُ يُعِيدُهُ عَلَيْكُم بِالْخَيْرِ وَالْبَرَكَة ❞
("May Allah return it upon you with goodness and blessings.")
He also clarified that the Salaf (pious predecessors) did not practice congratulating each other upon the arrival of the new year. He noted that the designation of Muḥarram as the first month of the Islamic year began during the caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه.
According to Shaykh ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Khuḍayr:
✔ There is no harm in offering duʿāʾ and congratulations to fellow Muslims on such occasions.
✔ Especially when such greetings are exchanged as a means of expressing love, affection, and joy, they are seen in a positive light.
Imām Aḥmad رحمه الله تعالى stated:
✔ I will not initiate the greeting of congratulations.
✔ But if someone offers it to me, I will respond.
✔ Initiating congratulations is neither Sunnah, nor explicitly recommended, nor prohibited.
Scholars have offered varying opinions on offering congratulations for the New Hijri Year:
① Some consider it permissible, especially when done with good intentions and mutual affection.
② Others recommend caution, advising not to initiate the greeting as it has no basis in the practice of the early generations.
✔ In general, if someone congratulates you, it is permissible and appropriate to respond.
✔ However, it is better to avoid initiating the greeting unless it is done with sincerity and a spirit of love and goodwill.
✒ An overview of differing scholarly views on a common practice
◈ The Ruling on Congratulating Others for the New Hijri Year
The beginning of the Islamic New Year (Hijri) is a moment when many Muslims offer greetings and supplications to one another. However, Islamic scholars have differing views regarding the legitimacy and practice of offering such congratulations. Below is a summary of notable opinions from renowned scholars.
◈ Opinion of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn
According to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn رحمه الله تعالى:
✔ If someone offers you congratulations, you should respond.
✔ However, it is better to avoid initiating the congratulatory greeting.
✔ A suitable response would be:
❝ اللَّهُ يُعِيدُهُ عَلَيْكُم بِالْخَيْرِ وَالْبَرَكَة ❞
("May Allah return it upon you with goodness and blessings.")
He also clarified that the Salaf (pious predecessors) did not practice congratulating each other upon the arrival of the new year. He noted that the designation of Muḥarram as the first month of the Islamic year began during the caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه.
◈ Opinion of Shaykh ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Khuḍayr
According to Shaykh ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Khuḍayr:
✔ There is no harm in offering duʿāʾ and congratulations to fellow Muslims on such occasions.
✔ Especially when such greetings are exchanged as a means of expressing love, affection, and joy, they are seen in a positive light.
◈ Statement from Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal
Imām Aḥmad رحمه الله تعالى stated:
✔ I will not initiate the greeting of congratulations.
✔ But if someone offers it to me, I will respond.
✔ Initiating congratulations is neither Sunnah, nor explicitly recommended, nor prohibited.
❖ Summary
Scholars have offered varying opinions on offering congratulations for the New Hijri Year:
① Some consider it permissible, especially when done with good intentions and mutual affection.
② Others recommend caution, advising not to initiate the greeting as it has no basis in the practice of the early generations.
✔ In general, if someone congratulates you, it is permissible and appropriate to respond.
✔ However, it is better to avoid initiating the greeting unless it is done with sincerity and a spirit of love and goodwill.
