Question
What’s the ruling on going on a normal meal with non Muslims?
Also, what’s the ruling on going on a meal which is called a Christmas do? No intention to celebrate Christmas just intending to eat, socialise and then leave.
Work colleagues tend to arrange this yearly around Christmas time.
Answer
It is not permitted to eat with non-Muslims, and it is necessary to avoid this because dining with them involves socializing and mingling, and this can cause an inclination towards them. Inclining towards disbelievers is a danger to Iman (faith). Thus, it is commanded to avoid this.
In the Holy Quran, the exalted Allah has advised: “وَ إِمَّا یُنۡسِیَنَّکَ الشَّیۡطٰنُ فَلَا تَقۡعُدۡ بَعۡدَ الذِّکۡرٰی مَعَ الۡقَوۡمِ الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ” (And if Satan causes you to forget, then do not sit, after the reminder, with the unjust people.
(Al-Quran, Al-An’am: 68)
And in another place it is said: “وَ لَا تَرۡکَنُوۡۤا اِلَی الَّذِیۡنَ ظَلَمُوۡا فَتَمَسَّکُمُ النَّارُ” (And do not incline towards the oppressors, lest you be touched by the fire.
(Al-Quran, Hud: 113)
In the blessed Hadith, it is said: “لا تؤاکلوھم ولا تشاربوھم” (Do not eat with them, and do not drink with them.)
(kanz ul ummal, Hadith 32468)
Similarly, participating in a Christmas meal is even more severe, whether there is an intention to celebrate Christmas or not.
In another blessed Hadith, it is stated: “من کثر سواد قوم فھو منہم” (Whoever increases the numerical strength of a group is considered one of them.)
(kanz ul ummal, Hadith 24735)
Answered by: Mubashar Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated by: Arslan Attari