Do Muslims celebrate Diwali and is it allowed in Islam?

In a Nutshell: Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is a joyous celebration not typically observed by Muslims in a religious context. However, Muslims in India, with a long history of co-existence with Hindus, may participate in some cultural aspects of Diwali, reflecting the rich tapestry of the region. Table of Contents Introduction Background and Context Evidences Do Muslims Celebrate Diwali? FAQs on Muslims and Diwali Conclusion Introduction Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a prominent festival in Hinduism that signifies the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Celebrated across the globe by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, Diwali is a vibrant display of lights, fireworks, traditional foods and festivities. Evidences Islam emphasises respect for the beliefs and practices of Ahl al-Kitab (People of the Book), which according to some scholars includes Hindus. The Quran states: Say, 'O People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), come to a word common between us and you: that we worship none but Allah (God) and that we associate nothing with Him and that none of us shall take others as lords (besides Allah).' But if they turn away, then say, 'Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Allah].'Quran 3:64) 'Cooperate in al‑Birr and at‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment' (Quran 5:2) The Prophet (saw) is reported to have said: Whoever imitates a people is one of them. (Abu Dawud) Whoever harms a dhimmi (protected non-Muslim citizen) will not smell the fragrance of Paradise. (Sunan Ibn Majah 3043) He is not one of us who imitates other than us. Do not imitate the Jews or the Christians. (Tirmidhi) Whoever imitates a people, he is one of them. (Tabarani, Abu Dawud) Al-Bayhaqi reported in his Sunan that Anas Bin Maalik رضي الله عنه said: “When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم came to Medina, the people had two holidays from the days of Jahiliyyah.” He صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: “When I came to you, you had two days which you used to celebrate in Jahiliyyah. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has replaced them for you with better days, the days of slaughter (Adhaa) and the day of fitr.” On the authority of Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Aas who said: "The Messenger of Allah saw me wearing two saffron garments and he said: 'Indeed these are from the dress of the Kuffaar so do not wear them.'" (Muslim 1/144; Nisa'i 2/298; Haakim 4/190; Ahmad 2/172, 164, 193, 207, and 211) The jurist Abu Hafs al-Kabeer (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) wrote: “A person who worships Allah Ta’aala for fifty years and gives an egg to a disbeliever to commemorate the Kuffaar festival will become a kaafir and lose all his righteous deeds.” Participating in a celebration without respecting and honoring the event will not result in becoming a kaafir. Do Muslims Celebrate Diwali? Islam and Hinduism are two distinct religions with unique beliefs and observances. While Muslims do not hold the same theological significance for Diwali as Hindus do, some Muslims engage in aspects of the festival avoiding anything that contradicts Islam. Most scholars however forbid the practice of participation in such festivals resulting in most Muslims distancing themselves from such celebrations. For Muslims in diverse regions such as India, participation in Diwali may involve exchanging greetings with Hindu neighbors, enjoying the festive decorations and even sharing traditional sweets. Historically, notable examples such as the Mughal emperors occasionally participating in Diwali celebrations reflect a broader context of cultural exchange and political expediency in that era. It's important to understand that these examples are not universal prescriptions for contemporary Muslim practice, but rather historical instances that highlight the complexities of interfaith interaction in different social and political contexts. Conclusion The question of Muslim participation in Diwali is a nuanced one, with considerations for religious beliefs, cultural practices and social contexts. Islam teaches respect and understanding towards people of other faiths however Muslims do not celebrate the religious aspects of Diwali, nor are they permitted to engage in its cultural elements as a way of building positive community relations and demonstrating respect.