Is it correct to randomly play by putting colours with those celebrating the Holi festival?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa-raḥmatullāhi wa-barakātuh

Holi is a religious festival of the Hindus commemorating events in Hindu mythology. It is called ‘the Festival of Colours’. Hindus throw coloured powder at each other as a celebration on this day.

Muslims are strictly prohibited from joining followers of other religions in their celebrations. By ‘playing around, putting colours’ on this day, one is directly involved in this religious festival of the Hindus. Even by randomly playing in this way on this day without taking part in any other rituals of the Hindus, a person puts his Imān in danger. By engaging in the activity of throwing colours specifically on this day, one is giving importance to the festival, and no intention can justify such an action.[1]

A Muslim should be very cautious with regards to issues related to faith and creed. He should distance himself from all practices, customs and festivals of other religions.

The days of celebration for a Muslim are the two Eids. Anas Raḍi Allāhu ʿanhu narrates:

«قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْمَدِينَةَ وَلَهُمْ يَوْمَانِ يَلْعَبُونَ فِيهِمَا، فَقَالَ: مَا هَذَانِ الْيَوْمَانِ؟ قَالُوا: كُنَّا نَلْعَبُ فِيهِمَا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَبْدَلَكُمْ بِهِمَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُمَا: يَوْمَ الْأَضْحَى، وَيَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ"»[2]

Nabi Ṣallallāhu ʿalaihi wa Sallam arrived in Madinah. The people of Madinah had two days in which they would engage in play. Nabi Ṣallallāhu ʿalaihi wa Sallam enquired, “What are these two days?” They replied, “We used to engage in play in these two days in the Pre-Islamic Age of Ignorance. Nabi Ṣallallāhu ʿalaihi wa Sallam stated, “Allah Taʿālā has replaced for you these two days with something better than them: The day of Eidul Adhaa and the day of Eidul Fitr.” [Abu Dāwūd, Ḥadīth no. 1134]

And Allah Taʿālā Knows Best

Mahmood Patel
Student, Darul Iftaa
Azaadville, South Africa

Checked and Approved by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai