I wanted to ask a question about the fatwa 90174 about wedding anniversaries. In that fatwa the cleric use the following verse from the Prophet (pbuh). “He is not one of us, he who imitates non-Muslims, so do not imitate the Jews and the Christians” My question is, if this is so is it against Islam to where jeans, celebrate fisherman’s day, human rights day or an anniversary of a mosque? There are so many things that Jews and Christians invented like mobile phone, nuclear power and even light bulb so can using these things or celebrating these days mean imitating Jews and Christians. These are neither their religious events nor religious inventions but common things for all humans.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

What is prohibited in imitating non-Muslims is the things that are peculiar to them. As regards the things which are common between them and other people and which became a tradition among the common traditions of people, then it is permissible to do it as we clarified in Fataawa 88123 and 89283.

For example, even though the jeans are in principle worn by some non-Muslim people, it became among the common things between them and the Muslims, so this matter is no longer peculiar to the non-Muslims. Therefore, it is permissible to wear jeans if it meets the remaining conditions that are mentioned in Fatwa 81610.

As regards mobile phones, nuclear power and light bulb, then this is not included in the concept of religious innovation. Innovation in religion is only in religious matters. It is for this reason that the Prophet said: "Whoever introduces into this matter of ours [Islam] that which is not a part of it, it will be rejected." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] As regards the worldly matters, the Prophet said: "You are more knowledgeable than myself about your worldly matters." For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 17613.

As regards celebrating the Fisherman’s Day and other days which you mentioned in the question, then this is, in our view, impermissible. Celebrations are not only traditions; rather, they are something connected to religious rites, and in Islam, the Muslims are only allowed to celebrate two celebrations: ‘Eed Al-Fitr and ‘Eed Al-Adh-Haa, and the Prophet forbade us from celebrating other than these two festivals.

Anas narrated that "When the Prophet reached Madeenah, he noticed that the people of Madeenah used to celebrate two specific days. The Prophet asked them "Why are you celebrating these two days?"   They answered, "We used to play and have fun on these days during the pre-Islamic period." The Prophet said: "Allaah has replaced these two days with something better, 'Eed Al-Fitr and 'Eed Al-Adh-Haa.” [Ahmad and Abu Daawood]

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 106623 and 86137.

Allaah Knows best.