What is the legitimate Islamic rooting for Thanksgiving and what is the ruling on celebrating it, and is it related to the fall of the Ottoman Empire?
Thanksgiving is one of the holidays celebrated by some Christian denominations, observed annually by Americans on the last Thursday of November. The origin of this holiday stems from the story of immigrants who arrived in America in 1620 CE. After a difficult winter, they learned agriculture from the native inhabitants, and in the autumn of 1621 CE, they held a feast of thanksgiving for their abundant harvest. According to Islamic law, a servant may perform the prostration of gratitude ( al-shukr) upon the renewal of blessings, as the Prophet and his companions did. However, dedicating a specific day for celebration as a holiday like Thanksgiving is an innovation (bid'ah) and a newly invented matter. It is also a custom of the disbelievers in which Muslims are not permitted to participate, because holidays are specific characteristics of different religious laws. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, every nation has its Eid, and this is our Eid." And Allah Almighty said: "To each of you We have ordained a law and a way." Muslims have only Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and they are not permitted to celebrate the holidays of others, whether those holidays are prescribed in their religion or are innovations.
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Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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