Question :

What is the ruling on offering congratulations for the beginning of Ramadan and what is the ruling on using the wording "Ramadan Kareem"?

The Answer :

Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. There is no sin in showing happiness for religious occasions and the arrival of the seasons of goodness and blessings, such as the blessed month of Ramadan. Rather, this attitude indicates that a Muslim is committed to this great religion and proud of embracing it. Almighty Allah says," Say: "In the bounty of God. And in His Mercy,- in that let them rejoice": that is better than the (wealth) they hoard."(Yunus, 58}. Islam permits a Muslim to show happiness since the Prophet (PBUH) showed happiness for the day on which he was born and the day on which he received revelation. His happiness was manifested in observing fast on that day. He (PBUH) said, ""That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I received Revelation." {Muslim}. Scholars have clarified the permissibility of offering glad tidings and congratulations for blessings bestowed upon a Muslim, as confirmed in the story of K`ab Bin Malik who failed to appear at the battle of Tabouk, but the good news of his repentance being accepted came. Moreover, it is permissible for Muslims to congratulate one another for the beginning of months, such as the blessed month of Ramadan, as it is confirmed that the Prophet (PBUH) said to his companions, "There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast. In it the gates of heavens are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and every devil is chained up. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived."'{Musnad Ahmad}. Prostration of thankfulness is another evidence indicating the permissibility of offering congratulations for receiving a new blessing or being spared an affliction. It is stated in {Moghni al-Mohtaj, 1/599}, "Al-Khammoli said: "Our fellow scholars haven`t got any ruling on offering congratulations for Eid, years and months ….We are of the view that this act of congratulating is lawful and involves no Sunnah or Bid`ah." In addition, it is stated in {Hashyiat Al-Jamal, 1/359},"Ibn Hajar said about offering congratulations for Eids, months and years: It is recommended. The evidence on this is the prostration of thankfulness and the story of Ibn Ka`b." Ibn Rajab, a Hanbali, said, "Some scholars said that the Hadith (There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month……) is an evidence on the permissibility of offering congratulations for the beginning of Ramadan. How couldn`t a believer be given the glad tidings that the gates of heaven are open, the gates of hell are closed and all devils are chained!" There is no sin in congratulating each other by saying "Ramadan Kareem" to show happiness and joy over the start of this blessed month. This is provided that there is no Sharia-approved evidence prohibiting that. Moreover, associating this phrase with Ramadan reflects the feature of "Karam"(Generosity) inherent in it, since, during this month, Allah the Almighty rewards His slaves generously and bestows his favors and blessings upon them abundantly. He the Exalted says (what means): "(The queen) said: "Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect."(An-Namel/29). He added, "We did, before them, try the people of Pharaoh: there came to them an apostle most honourable,"(Ad-Dukhan/17). In conclusion, there is no sin in congratulating each other by saying "Ramadan Kareem", and we believe that there is no evidence in Sharia prohibiting that. And Allah the Almighty knows best.