FatwaFederal TerritoriesSocial & Contemporary Issues
AL-KAFI #1854: HUKUM ORANG ISLAM MENGGANTUNG TANGLUNG TAHUN BARU CINA
Is it permissible for Muslims to hang lanterns as decoration during Chinese New Year in private or public premises?
Short answer
Hanging lanterns as decoration is permissible as long as they are not religious ritual items, or symbols of another religion.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Social & Contemporary Issues
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Hanging lanterns as decoration is permissible as long as they are not religious ritual items, or symbols of another religion. The fatwa views lanterns today as art and Chinese cultural material, and holds that the earlier belief-based reason for prohibition no longer applies, following the maxim that a ruling follows its cause. Muslims are advised to be careful not to believe in superstition, not to write wishes or prayers on lanterns, and to avoid using them without need so as to prevent negative views and slander against the religion.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Hukum menggantung perhiasan tanglung adalah dibolehkan selagi mana perhiasan tersebut bukan perhiasan ritual keagamaan atau syiar dan simbol bagi agama lain.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “AL-KAFI #1854: HUKUM ORANG ISLAM MENGGANTUNG TANGLUNG TAHUN BARU CINA”, 3 February 2022. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/5111-al-kafi-1854-hukum-orang-islam-menggantung-tanglung-tahun-baru-cina. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/muslims-hanging-lanterns-chinese-new-year-ruling/