Muslims’ Participation in Puja Festivals Is Haram: Mosque Khatib

Participating in the religious festivals of other faiths is forbidden for Muslims, but they must ensure the safety of such celebrations and must not obstruct them. Religious festivals of other faiths involve shirk (associating partners with Allah SWT) and other major sins that destroy a Muslim’s faith. Allah (SWT) has declared shirk the gravest sin.

Against this backdrop, Muslims should not attend the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations observed by followers of the Sanatan Hindu faith, said Mufti Maulana Mahbubur Rahman, khatib of Masjid-e-Gausul Azam in Dhaka’s Mohakhali, in a pre-sermon address before Friday prayers.

He said many Muslims visit Puja venues under the pretext of watching the celebrations without realising that acts considered shirk are being performed there. Instead of feeling distressed by what they regard as an affront to Allah’s (SWT) oneness, some Muslims take pleasure in watching the rituals. He described this as a major sin and said Muslims have a religious duty to stay away from such activities.

The khatib stressed that Islam is a peaceful, just and humane way of life. He said ensuring the safety of the lives, property, dignity and places of worship of non-Muslim citizens living in an Islamic society is a religious and moral duty for Muslims.

Referring to a warning attributed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Sunan Abu Dawud, he said, “Whoever harms a non-Muslim under a covenant (Mu’ahid) or deprives him of his rights, I myself will be his opponent on the Day of Judgment.”

He added that no one should obstruct Hindus or other non-Muslim communities from celebrating their religious festivals. Muslims must ensure their safety and protect their property and places of worship. Islam does not support excesses, oppression or unjust treatment of people of other faiths, he said.

However, the khatib distinguished between protecting the security of other religious communities and participating in their religious rituals. He said Islam provides Muslims with a distinct and complete way of life based on tawhid, or the oneness of Allah (SWT). Muslims, he added, must not compromise their faith and beliefs by directly participating in the religious festivals of other faiths.

He cited another hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud, saying, “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Hadith No. 4031). He said that, in light of this hadith, participation in the religious rituals, symbols and festivals of other faiths is prohibited for Muslims.

Explaining his position on Durga Puja and other festivals involving idol worship, Mahbubur Rahman said such practices involve associating partners with Allah (SWT), which Islam identifies as shirk. He cited verse 13 of Surah Luqman, in which Luqman advises his son: “O my son! Do not associate anything with Allah(SWT) . Indeed, associating others with Allah (SWT) is a great injustice.”

He also referred to verse 88 of Surah Al-An’am, which states that if the prophets had associated others with Allah(SWT), their deeds would have become worthless. He said shirk is an extremely serious offence and that, according to Islamic teaching, those who die without repenting of it cannot receive forgiveness for it.

Addressing the worshippers, the khatib expressed concern that many Muslim men and women visit Puja venues out of curiosity, saying they only want to see the celebrations. He argued that attending and enjoying activities associated with shirk constitutes a major sin from the Islamic perspective.

He said a true believer should have a deep love for Allah’s (SWT) oneness and a strong sense of religious commitment. Witnessing practices regarded as shirk, he added, should cause distress to a believer rather than enjoyment. He described Muslims’ participation in such celebrations as deeply troubling and harmful to their faith.

Referring to the Quranic description of believers, he said Muslims should avoid wrongful and false activities with dignity and sensitivity. In conclusion, Mahbubur Rahman said protecting faith and religious beliefs is a Muslim’s foremost responsibility, while safeguarding the civil rights and security of non-Muslim citizens is a humanitarian and social duty.

However, he maintained that participating in their religious festivals conflicts with Islamic beliefs. He prayed for Allah (SWT) to protect Muslims from shirk, disbelief and major sins, safeguard their faith and keep them steadfast on the straight path.