A Satyanarayan Puja at the Opening of a Shop

Question

A Muslim opened his shop. He had a Hindu priest perform a Satyanarayan puja (a Hindu rite of worship of Vishnu) inside and outside the shop; the puja’s prasad (food offered to an idol and then distributed) was also handed out; in this way he spent thousands of rupees. Some Muslims who saw it objected, and the shop owner said: “Our non-Muslim employees wished that on the occasion of the opening ceremony we should also perform a puja.” Now, in having this done or doing it, was it a major sin or shirk?

Answer

Assisting the rites of shirk is likewise a grave sin, close to shirk. The dancing and singing of dancing-girls is likewise forbidden. Such things draw down the wrath and curse of Allah the Exalted.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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