BENEFIT 201: Congratulating one another on the occasion of the new Hijri year

Sheikh Yūsuf Al-Jazaa’iri hafidahullāh said: Initiating congratulations for the new year is not known from the pious predecessors, nor do I know of anything from the Qur'an or Sunnah that indicates its legitimacy. Moreover, the early Muslims did not recognise the month of Muharram as the beginning of the new year except during the caliphate of 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). Some scholars, based on this, have permitted responding to such greetings without initiating them. So, if someone greets you with: كل عام وأنت بخير "Happy New Year" or something similar, there is no harm in replying, وأنت كذلك "And you as well." This was the view of the esteemed scholars Ibn Baz and Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on them both), who permitted saying: كل عام وأنتم بخير "Happy New Year" if it is intended as a supplication for goodness. However, it should be noted that if it is meant as a supplication, then the word "كلَّ" (every) should be Manṣoob (in the accusative case) to reflect the intended meaning of supplication, as pointed out by Sheikh Bakr Abu Zaid in his book "Prohibited terms." On the other hand, some scholars, like Sheikh Salih Al-Fawzan (may Allah preserve him), have considered such congratulations to be an innovation because there is no precedent for it, and because the designation of the Hijri new year was established during the time of 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab, when he and the companions agreed to start the Islamic calendar from the migration of the Prophet ﷺ, as it was the greatest event in Islam. The view that aligns with the principles of Shari'ah is to refrain from initiating and responding to such greetings; because designating specific days for extending congratulations and supplications, and repeating this every year, introduces an act of worship that turns it into a form of celebration, which the Hijri new year is not! Furthermore, since there was no obstacle preventing the early Muslims from doing so and they did not engage in this practice, unlike their greetings on the occasions of 'Eid, it becomes clear that it was not considered part of the religion. Allah Almighty says: ﴿ٱلۡیَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِینَكُمۡ﴾ "Today I have perfected for you your religion..." [Surah Al-Māʾidah: 3] And as Imam Malik said, "What was not considered religion then cannot be considered religion now." And Allah knows best. Source: https://t.me/youssefalgazairi/2998 @almanhajussalafi