Assalamu alaikum!!! My sister is sometimes very much interested in Muslim celebrities. However, some of them celebrate Christmas, Halloween, make jokes about religion and more. Should they be given takfir in this situation or not? And will I become a kafir myself if I don't?
3 Answers
In Islam, passing Takfir is a serious matter that requires deep knowledge and understanding of Islamic jurisprudence. It is not appropriate for individuals to make such judgments, especially regarding public figures like celebrities!
While it is essential for Muslims to uphold their faith and values, it is NOT within our authority to declare Takfir label on others based on their actions.
It is better to get help from your local religious advisor.
answered Mar 3 at 16:13
This is a matter of serious significance in Islam and is taken very seriously. The case of takfir is based on vast knowledge in the principles of Islamic laws and is to be dealt with very cautiously
Celebrating Christmas, Halloween, and the others have nothing to do with Kufr, as avoiding them is not a certain requirement of being a Muslim, although we are told not to behave or dress like those who don't believe. However, Chritians are not considered as Kafir by a majority of (at least Shia) scholars.
Making jokes about religion is somewhat marginal, it can be a sign of Kufr as Allah has stated:
يَحْذَرُ الْمُنَافِقُونَ أَنْ تُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُورَةٌ تُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ قُلِ اسْتَهْزِءُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ مُخْرِجٌ مَا تَحْذَرُونَ (۶۴) وَ لَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّمَا كُنَّا نَخُوضُ وَ نَلْعَبُ قُلْ أَبِاللَّهِ وَ آيَاتِهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ كُنْتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِءُونَ (۶۵) لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا قَدْ كَفَرْتُمْ بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ إِنْ نَعْفُ عَنْ طَائِفَةٍ مِنْكُمْ نُعَذِّبْ طَائِفَةً بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا مُجْرِمِينَ
which translates into
The Hypocrites are afraid lest a Sura should be sent down about them, showing them what is (really passing) in their hearts. Say: 'Mock ye! But verily Allah will bring to light all that ye fear (should be revealed). (64) If thou dost question them, they declare (with emphasis): 'We were only talking idly and in play.' Say: 'Was it at Allah, and His Signs, and His Messenger, that ye were mocking?' (65) Make ye no excuses: ye have rejected Faith after ye had accepted it. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you, for that they are in sin. (66)
However, this by itself doesn't mean you can easily Takfir such people for such doings, as e.g. Allah adds "If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you".
Besides, make sure to always remember Kufr and Shirk have several levels, and even most believers (including many of us) are to some extent Mushrik to be specified, as Allah says:
وَ مَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَ هُمْ مُشْرِكُونَ And most of them believe not in Allah except while they associate others with Him.
Counting people as Kafir based on simple judgments is something that Muslims should avoid by sure. You have seen certainly how ISIS and people like them behave in that regard, killing people easily, while Allah has stated " لَا تَقُولُوا لِمَنْ أَلْقَيٰ إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا" [say not to any one who offers you a salutation: Thou art none of a believer!]. Also there are sever Ahadeeth against those who Takfir the believers. For example the holy prophet PBUH said "من کفر مومنا صار کافرا" which means whoever Takfir a believer, he himself has become Kafir; or in another place he has said "ایماامرء قال لا خیه کافر فقد باء بهااحدهماان کان قال والا رجعت علیه" which means any time someone call a brother of him you are Kafir, one of them is really Kafir, either his brother or himself if his brother is really a believer! Imam Sadiq PBUH also has said "ملعون ملعون من رمى مومنا بکفر و من رمى مومنا بکفر فهو کقتله" which means one who assume a believer as Kafir is far far from mercy of Allah, and is like he has murdered that believer.
Hope this much will help ...
