Every time the moment of the Hijri new year or holidays arrives, family WhatsApp groups and social media are often bustling. Some are enthusiastic about sending greetings, but others are hesitant or even afraid. The classic question then arises: “Is there guidance for this? Could this be an innovation (bid’ah)?”
This doubt is natural because we want to be cautious in our religion. However, Islam is a broad religion rich with a wealth of knowledge. Before we rush to judge a tradition, let us take a moment to open the books of the scholars of the Shafi’i school of thought to see how they view the issue of greetings or, in fiqh terminology, called Tahni’ah.
This article will thoroughly examine the legal status, the evidence used by hadith scholars, and the ethics of offering congratulations based on the books Asna Al-Matalib and Al-Kawkab Al-Wahhaj.
What is Tahni’ah? Understanding the Meaning Behind the Word
Before entering the legal realm, we need to first understand what is meant by Tahni’ah. In the book Al-Kawkab Al-Wahhaj Syarh Shahih Muslim, it is explained interestingly from the linguistic side.
Tahni’ah is the opposite of Ta’ziyah. If ta’ziyah is comforting someone who is sad to be strong in facing adversity, then tahni’ah is praying for someone who is happy that their happiness increases in blessings.
Its origin is from Hana-ah, which means ease or something pleasant without difficulty.
هنؤ الشيء… هناءة… تيسر من غير مشقة ولا عناء فهو هنيء1
“The ease of a thing… easy… (it means) when something becomes easy without difficulty and hardship, then it is called hani’ (pleasant/delightful).”
So, when you say “Happy Eid” or “Congratulations on your achievement” to a Muslim brother or sister, you are essentially praying: “May this blessing bring ease to you, not hardship.” This is a very beautiful prayer.
Differences of Opinion Among Scholars: Between Permissible (Mubah) and Recommended (Masyru’)
Was this greeting present during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)? In the book Asna Al-Matalib Volume 1 page 283, Sheikh Zakariya Al-Ansari cites an interesting discussion.
Initially, Sheikh Al-Qamuli mentioned that he did not find a specific text from the early Shafi’i scholars (Ashab) regarding annual or monthly greetings. Due to the absence of specific textual evidence (nass) from these early generations, later scholars attempted to derive the ruling (istinbath) and divided into two major views:
1. The Opinion of Al-Hafizh Al-Maqdisi: The Ruling is Permissible (Allowed)
The first view comes from Al-Hafizh Al-Maqdisi. He observed the reality that people always differ in opinion on this matter. For him, offering congratulations has the status of Permissible (Mubah).
الذي أراه أنه مباح لا سنة فيه ولا بدعة
“My view is that it is permissible (allowed), not sunnah and not bid’ah either.”
This means it is considered merely a human custom. If done, it is not sinful, and if left undone, it is not a problem.
2. Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani’s Opinion: The Ruling is Recommended (Encouraged)
The second view—and this is the stronger one—comes from the Amir al-Mu’minin in Hadith, Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani. He corrected the view that this is merely a custom. According to him, offering congratulations is Masyru’ (prescribed/encouraged by religion).
وأجاب عنه شيخنا حافظ عصره الشهاب ابن حجر بعد اطلاعه على ذلك بأنها مشروعة
“And our teacher, the Hafizh of his time, Shihabuddin Ibn Hajar, answered that question after examining it, stating that (offering congratulations) is masyru’ (prescribed/legally permissible).”
Why did Ibn Hajar dare to say this has a basis in Sharia? Certainly, he had strong evidence to support his claim.
Supporting Arguments for Congratulations
Ibn Hajar used the method of analogy (qiyas) and hadith evidence to strengthen his opinion. Here are the details:
1. The Narration of Imam Al-Baihaqi
Imam Al-Baihaqi wrote a special chapter about the greetings of people on Eid: “Taqabbalallahu minna wa minka”.
Even though the individual chains of narration may be weak (dhaif), due to the multiplicity of chains, these narrations strengthen each other and can be used as a basis (hujjah) for good deeds. This refutes the notion that the statement is entirely unfounded.
2. Analogy (Qiyas) with Sujud al-Shukr and Condolences
Ibn Hajar constructed a clever legal logic. He said:
ويحتج لعموم التهنئة لما يحدث من نعمة أو يندفع من نقمة بمشروعية سجود الشكر والتعزية
“And the general evidence for the permissibility of offering congratulations for a newly received blessing or a calamity averted is the permissibility of the prostration of gratitude (sujud shukr) and condolences (takziyah).”
The logic is as follows:
- When we receive a blessing or are spared from a calamity, it is recommended (sunnah) to perform a Prostration of Gratitude (Sujud Syukur).
- When our brothers and sisters are afflicted with calamity, we are recommended to offer condolences (to comfort them).
- Therefore, when our brothers and sisters receive blessings (such as holidays or a new year), it is fitting that we congratulate them as a form of moral support, just as we comfort them when they are sad.
3. The Story of Ka’ab bin Malik and Thalhah (The Strongest Evidence)
This is the ultimate proof. In the book Shahihain (Bukhari and Muslim), the story of the repentance of the companion Ka’ab bin Malik is narrated, who was ostracized for being absent from the Battle of Tabuk.
When the news of his repentance being accepted by Allah descended, Ka’ab entered the mosque with a radiant face. What happened?
قام إليه طلحة بن عبيد الله فهنأه2
“Thalhah bin Ubaidillah stood to greet him and congratulated him (on his accepted repentance).”
The important point is that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was present, witnessed the event, and he approved of it (taqrir). The Prophet did not forbid Talhah. The Prophet’s silence was an affirmation that congratulating someone on a religious achievement or good deed is a commendable behavior.
Ethics and Wisdom of Giving Congratulations
Besides legal issues, the book Al-Kawkab Al-Wahhaj also highlights the ethical and social impact of tahni’ah. Why does the Sharia encourage this?
1. Showing Joy (Izharus Surur) Offering congratulations is a way we express happiness for what gladdens our brother/sister. This trains us not to be selfish.
2. Purifying the Heart (Tasfiyatul Qalb) This is a very profound point. Often, seeing others succeed or be happy triggers envy in the heart. By forcing the tongue to say “Congratulations,” we are washing the heart of the disease of envy and replacing it with prayer.
فإنه إظهار السرور بما يسر به أخوه المسلم وإظهار المحبة وتصفية القلب بالمودة3
“For indeed, it is showing joy over what pleases a Muslim brother, displaying love, and clearing the heart with affection.”
3. Sunnah in Religious Matters It is also mentioned that if the congratulatory greeting is related to religious affairs (such as acceptance of repentance, Eid holidays, or completion of the Qur’an recitation), then its ruling is elevated to Mandub (Sunnah). As for purely worldly matters, it is permissible (Jaiz).
Summary Table of Tahni’ah Laws
To better understand the map of scholars’ opinions above, please see the following table:
| Scholars’ Opinion | Legal Status | Main Reason |
| Al-Hafizh Al-Maqdisi | Permissible (Allowed) | Considered as a human custom that always varies. There is no prohibition, no specific command. |
| Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani | Recommended (Masru’) | Analogized with the encouragement of Sujud Syukur (Prostration of Gratitude) and Condolences (Takziyah). Based on the Hadith of Ka’ab bin Malik. |
| Muhammad al-Amīn al-Uramī al-Hararī | Mandub (Sunnah) | Specifically for religious matters, because it contains the element of Izharus Surur (manifesting happiness) and strengthening brotherhood (ukhuwah). |
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Greetings
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding this topic:
Is it permissible to wish someone a happy Islamic New Year?
Based on the opinion of Ibn Hajar in Asna Al-Matalib, this is considered masyru’ (encouraged) because the changing of the year is a blessing of time (“a newly acquired blessing”) for which one should be grateful, analogous to the Prostration of Gratitude (Sujud Shukr)
What is the best form of greeting?
There is no standard limitation. However, the companions exemplified the prayer: “Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum” (May Allah accept our deeds and yours). You can also use Indonesian phrases such as “May this year bring blessings.”
Is giving congratulations considered bid’ah?
Referring to the explanation above, the majority of Shafi’i scholars such as Ibn Hajar reject its being called a blameworthy innovation (bid’ah). Rather, it has a basis in evidence from the actions of the companions (athar) and the approval (taqrir) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Closing
From the discussion above, it is clear that the tradition of exchanging greetings has strong roots in Islamic fiqh. It is not merely politeness, but rather a social worship that serves to strengthen hearts and pray for goodness.
Just as Talhah bin Ubaidillah hastened to congratulate Ka’ab bin Malik, we are also taught to be responsive to the happiness of others. Therefore, do not hesitate to offer prayers and congratulations to your family or friends.
And Allah knows best.
Reference
- Muhammad al-Amīn al-Uramī al-Hararī, Syarḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (al-Kaukab al-Wahhāj wa al-Raudh al-Bahhāj), jil. 25 (Riyadh–Beirut: Dar al-Minhāj–Dar Thauq an-Najāh, 1430 H), hlm. 281. ↩︎
- Zakariyā al-Anṣārī, Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib, dengan ḥāsyiyah oleh Aḥmad al-Ramlī, disunting oleh Muḥammad az-Zuhrī al-Ghamrāwī (Kairo: al-Maṭbaʿah al-Maymānīyah, 1313 H; repr. Dār al-Kitāb al-Islāmī), juz 1, hlm. 283. ↩︎
- Muhammad al-Amīn al-Uramī al-Hararī, Syarḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (al-Kaukab al-Wahhāj wa al-Raudh al-Bahhāj), jil. 25 (Riyadh–Beirut: Dar al-Minhāj–Dar Thauq an-Najāh, 1430 H), hlm. 281. ↩︎
