Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, head of the Muslim World League (file photo)
DUBAI: Sheikh Dr Mohammed Al-Issa, the head of the Muslim World League, said that there is no statement or commentary in Sharia law that prohibits Muslims from extending greetings to non-Muslims or Christians.
He attributed the ruling of exchanging festival greetings with the non-Muslims to senior scholars in the Islamic world and underlined the absurdity of objecting to a practice which has no prohibition in the Sharia.
Al-Issa said it could not be assumed if a Muslim greets a non-Muslim on special days or festivals that he acknowledges the other's faith.
Al-Issa's clarifications came in reply to a question and in the context of some Islamic scholars opining that Muslims should keep away from conveying Christmas greetings, as the celebration was not in line with Islam's teachings about Jesus.
He also went on to say wishing non-Muslims on their festivals is in the best interest of Islam to uphold its reputation.
“The purpose of these greetings is to promote coexistence and harmony in a world that is in dire need of that,” he said.
Al-Issa also pointed out that Islam permits eating the food of “The People of the Book” in a reference to Christians and Jews.
Al-Issa is the head of the Makkah-based nongovernmental organization Muslim World League, which among other things, aims to clarify the message of Islam on matters of public interest that crop up from time to time.