Surah Haj 40 says worshipping places sh be protected. This favours shirk?
As Muslims, we should firstly try as far as possible to spend our wealth in
those avenues which could benefit the Muslims. In the different parts of the
world, by us giving money to Hindu festivals, etc. we are, in fact, helping
them in propagating their religion. Instead of us giving our hard earned
money to such avenues, which would not benefit us in this world nor in the
hereafter, it would be advisable that we ensure our wealth be spent in those
avenues which could benefit Islam, and by us giving money to Hindus we are,
in fact, helping the upliftment of their religion.
So, it would not be permissible for us as Muslims to give our money to
assist in Hindu festivals, etc. As you had mentioned they use this money for
Shirk practices. Shirk is the greatest sin on the surface of the earth. If
we spend our money in assisting Shirk, we are assisting the enemies of Allah
Ta’ala, which in turn causes the anger of Allah to dawn upon us.
With regarding to Nabi’s (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) Salaat towards the
idols. This was due to certain circumstances, Islam was still in its initial
stages and Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) had to firstly win the people’
s hearts over to Islam and once Islam was firmly rooted, the idols were
removed.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai