The Ruling on celebrating Yalda Night and its History (Part One)
Preface
Islam is the most complete religion, applicable in all eras and places, and it has set a comprehensive program and law for all aspects of the lives of Muslims. It addresses all believers, saying: “الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا” [1] Translation: “Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have approved Islam as your religion.”
Today we clearly see that the front of falsehood throughout the world is striving to strip the Muslim of his identity and alienate him from his principles and intellectual foundations. The enemies of Islam want, through this, to distance the Muslim individual from pure Islam and its values and traditions, and to transform him under various labels such as “progressive nations,” “cultured,” and “civilized” into someone who, in terms of culture, social customs, and ethics, follows them, so that they may govern him more easily, trample his thoughts and beliefs, and exploit him. In pursuit of these wicked goals, some Muslims; knowingly or unknowingly have become their voice.
For this reason, and due to the negligence of the Muslims, many non-Islamic customs, practices, moral behaviors, and festivals have gradually and deliberately through the planning of the enemies of this divine religion penetrated the ceremonies, and even the thoughts and beliefs, of the Muslims, and are carried out by them exactly as they are, in a grand and impressive manner. It is truly regrettable to see that many unaware Muslims have abandoned their own Islamic traditions and values, and are pursuing the performance of innovations and non-Islamic customs. This disastrous pain has advanced to the point that even in acts of worship and in the most private habits and traditions, they follow the disbelievers.
Keywords: Festivals, model and example, innovation and superstitions, non-Islamic customs, Yalda Night.
Introduction:
Endless praise, thanks, and glorification belong to Allah the Most Gracious, who sent down for us a complete Sharia and a pure religion, and the purest blessings and salutations be upon the Seal of the Prophets, the perfect leader and guide, Muhammad Mustafa (PBUH), and upon his family and his companions. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon his family and all his companions.
The Sharia of Islam is the only complete Sharia and program that can answer all human needs, questions, and requirements; because Allah says: “الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا” [2] Translation: Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as religion.
And He says: “بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالزُّبُرِ، وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ” [3] Translation: With clear proofs and scriptures, and We have sent down to you the Reminder so that you may make clear to the people what has been sent down to them, and that they may reflect.
Hazrat Abu Dharr (RA) said: “وَلَقَد تَرَكْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم وما يُقَلِّب طائرٌ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ فِي السَّمَاءِ إِلّا ذَكَرْنَا مِنْهُ عِلْمًا” [4] Translation: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) left us while no bird flew in the sky without teaching us some knowledge about it.)
Also, Allah Almighty in the Qur’an introduced the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) as the best example and model, and commands Muslims to follow his character in worship and habits (customs): “لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ[5] ” Translation: Indeed, in the (lifestyle of the) Messenger of Allah (PBUH) there is a good example for you.
“Uswah” refers to a leader and guide, and it is also used for a quality by which a person becomes worthy of leadership.
Eids, (festivals) gatherings, ceremonies, celebrations, and occasions are also among the matters that our religion has explained and taught the Ummah about, so that they are not left confused or without guidance regarding such matters.
One of these matters, whose ruling and truth must be sought in the Shari’ah, is the reality and ruling of “Shab-e-Yalda,” because this matter has become a point of question and doubt for many Muslims.
Therefore, every Muslim is obliged in their customs and worship to follow the Messenger of Mercy (PBUH), so that Allah Almighty may show love to them and forgive their sins.
