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What is the ruling on celebrating al-Qarqee’aan, which occurs on the ayyaam al-beed of Ramadaan, i.e., the 13th, 14th and 15th, on which sweets and snacks are distributed to children? It is known by different names in the Gulf countries, such as Qaranqa’u .
Praise be to Allah.
Celebrating the fifteenth night of Ramadaan or any other day as the festival of al-Qarqee’aan is an innovation (bid’ah) for which there is no basis in Islam, and every innovation is a going astray. So we should not do this and we should warn others against it. It is not permissible to celebrate it anywhere, whether in schools, institutions or anywhere else. What is prescribed on the nights of Ramadaan in addition to offering the obligatory prayers, is to strive in praying qiyaam (i.e., Taraaweeh), to recite Qur’aan and to make du’aa’.
Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Ifta, fatwa no. 15532.
Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Jibreen was asked about this celebration and he replied:
There is no basis for this festival in sharee’ah or in the customs of the people. Because it involves these actions and also dancing, playing musical instruments, expressing joy and the things mentioned in the question, it is an innovation (bid’ah) which must be denounced and put a stop to, and it is not permissible to approve of it or take this matter lightly.
And Allaah knows best.