What is the ruling on giving money to one's mother on Mother's Day, knowing that celebrating it is an innovation (bid‘ah), and what is the ruling on giving money to the school principal to hold a celebration for this occasion with the intention of being absent the next day without informing him?
Giving gifts or food, or exchanging visits on Mother's Day, is a revival of an innovation (bid'ah), and a Muslim must avoid it to block the means (sadd al-dhari'ah). Giving money to a manager to celebrate this occasion is not permissible if it is by your choice, because it is participating in reviving an innovation or a bribe to be absent from work. However, if your intention is to be absent from witnessing the celebration, then it is a good intention, but do not pay money unless it is necessary. You can also frankly tell the manager that you consider the celebration an innovation and a reprehensible act (munkar).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/56750