Abandoning the symbols of Islam to please someone

Question

If an individual or the Muslim public who own the nisab, taking into account the present temporary need — not out of being overawed by or fearful of their compatriots or neighbouring communities, but with a view to winning their goodwill, fostering pleasant neighbourly relations, removing evil or warding off harm — sacrifice a goat, sheep or the like this year instead of a cow, is there any harm or objection from the standpoint of the Shari‘a or religion? Or is only the sacrifice of a cow necessary?

Answer

Abandoning the symbols of Islam (sha‘a’ir al-Islam) for the sake of pleasing someone is not permissible at all; therefore, as long as one has the ability, abandoning them will be prohibited. In worldly matters one may accommodate others to win their goodwill; in religious matters there is no room for this — especially when there is a strong danger that in future it will be…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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