indeed, he would have required him to fulfil it, for once a vow designates a particular spot, carrying it out there becomes obligatory.

8 – Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn also said: When the Lawgiver has already cut off every avenue that leads to the festivals of the idol-worshippers, lest a Muslim be contaminated by any part of them, then the fear of his being tainted by the ways of the People of the Book is even greater, and the prohibition is all the more emphatic.

He further remarked: It is well known that, had the Prophet ﷺ not expressly forbidden and prevented those celebrations, the people would never have abandoned them, for the motive to hold festivals is ever-present in human nature, which delights in what takes place on feast days—especially false festivals filled with games and pleasures. Were it not for a strong deterrent, those festivals would never have faded away.

9 – Therefore, Muslims who find themselves living alongside unbelievers—whether from the People of the Book or others—must beware of sharing in their well-known celebrations: they must not exchange greetings with them on those occasions, present them with gifts, sell them anything they will use in their festivals—such as foodstuffs or flowers—or transport them to their venues by car or any other means. Such participation amounts to assisting them and expressing approval of their idolatrous feasts, and Islam sternly forbids that. Whoever does so has squandered his religion and sold it for a paltry price from the fleeting goods of this world. Woe to them for what their hands have earned.

10 – Shaykh Ḥāmid al-Faqī said: The celebrations that the people of our time call “mawlids”—or “anniversaries” held for those they revere as saints, and for events they claim were significant in their lives, such as a birth, an accession to power, the installation of a ruler, and the like—are nothing but a revival of pre-Islamic customs and a suppression of the laws of Islam. Most people are unaware of this because the darkness of pagan ignorance has taken firm hold of their hearts, yet their ignorance is no excuse; rather, it is the very crime that breeds all other crimes of disbelief, sin, and rebellion.

11 – The hadith also proves that if a person vows to disobey Allah—by committing a forbidden act, neglecting an obligation such as severing family ties, or by pledging what rightfully belongs to someone else—such a vow is null and void; it does not take effect and