Congratulations on the coming of Ramadan

(Part No. 9; Page No. 7) Congratulations on the coming of Ramadan Fatwa no. 20638 All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon the Last of the Prophets.The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' has examined the Fatwa request submitted to His Eminence, the Grand Mufty, by Al-Ahsa' General Court judge Muhammad ibn Sulayman Al-Sa`id, which was referred to the Committee by the Secretariat General of the Council of Senior Scholars, no. 5845, dated 24/9/1419 A.H. Following is a statement of the question: Exchanging congratulations at the start of the blessed month of Ramadan whether by shaking hands, embracing one another, and exchanging family visits, as commonly practiced by the people of Al-Ahsa': to which category does doing so belong: customarily practices or `Ibadahs (acts of worship)? If it is better not to do so, what should the congratulated person do? Should they show disapproval of those who congratulate them? Please, bear in mind that such people do so in good faith.I ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) to prolong our lives to witness Ramadan many years and enjoy its blessings for long. I also ask Him to make us all and our parents among those who will be manumitted from Hellfire during this month. Indeed, He (Glorified be He) is the Most Generous, Ever-Bountiful. May Allah safeguard and protect you.

After examining the Fatwa request, the Committee gives the answer that there is nothing wrong with exchanging congratulations on (Part No. 9; Page No. 8) the coming of Ramadan. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to announce to his Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) the coming of Ramadan by saying: There has come to you a great and blessed month. He (peace be upon him) also used to educate them about the merits of Ramadan and urge them to make the best use of it.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.