it is not permissible to attend the festivals of the Jews and Christians. He cited as evidence Allah’s words:

“And those who do not bear witness to falsehood.”

He explained: “Sha‘ānīn and their festivals.”

‘Abd al-Malik ibn Habīb, one of Mālik’s followers, said in the course of a discussion:

“They must not be assisted in anything connected with their festival, because that would honour their polytheism and assist them in their disbelief. Rulers should prohibit Muslims from doing so. This is the position of Mālik and others; I know of no disagreement concerning it.

Eating animals slaughtered for their festivals falls within this unanimously disapproved conduct; indeed, in my view, it is more serious. Abū al-Qāsim was asked about travelling aboard ships carrying Christians to their festivals. He disapproved of this, fearing that divine wrath might descend upon them because of the polytheism for which they had assembled. Allah Most High has said:

‘O you who believe, do not take the Jews and Christians as allies. They are allies of one another. Whoever among you takes them as allies’—thus agreeing with them and assisting them—‘is indeed one of them.’”

Imam Ahmad narrated with an authentic chain of transmission that Abū Mūsā said:

“I said to ‘Umar, ‘I have a Christian secretary.’ He said, ‘What is wrong with you? May Allah strike you down! Have you not heard Allah Most High say, “O you who believe, do not take the Jews and Christians as allies. They are allies of one another”? Why did you not employ a Muslim instead?’ I replied, ‘Commander of the Faithful, I have