659. Can I Take Advantage Of The New Year Sales And Discounts During Festivals?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Yes it is permissible to buy stuff and take advantage of the discounts that are offered on the festivals of the non Muslims. 

That’s because our *intention* is not to celebrate these days or venerate them in any way. 

And Allaah is well aware of our intentions. 

Someone asked Shaykh Sulaymaan Al-Ruhaylee:

“Regarding the discounts that are offered now by some big stores [what is the ruling on that]?”

The shaikh said:

“There is no harm for a Muslim to benefit from these discounts at the beginning of the new year. This is because he does not celebrate and this is not a festival. However, it is a benefit given at this time. 

So he is allowed to benefit from it, especially since we know from an economic perspective that these discounts are not based on celebrating the New Year’s. Rather it is built upon eliminating the inventory and [balancing] the budget at the end of the year. 

So the company gets rid of what is still present [in the inventory]. In most cases, what remains is only profit. The companies lower the cost to get rid of the present [inventory]. The discounts begin one month and half before the end of the year because the companies base their budgets on the fiscal year. 

So from an economic perspective, it has no relation to celebrating Christmas. If they did this for Christmas, then it would not harm a Muslim who does not celebrate with them because this is not from the signs of the festival. It is only an action performed on the day of the festival. There is a difference between what is done for a “festival” and what is done on the “DAY of the festival”.

Also from that is what is given to the Muslim employees in the non-Muslim lands in terms of discount cards, which are used on Christmas or the New Year’s. 

Their companies give them gifts, which are discount cards from the company. 

It is allowed for a Muslim to use it on that day because that day is not from the signs of the festival. 

Rather it is something done on the festival. 

So there is no harm for a Muslim to benefit from this”.

And Allaah knows best