can muslim say merry christmas

Congratulating disbelievers on Christmas or any of their religious holidays is prohibited (ḥarām) by consensus, as reported by Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) in his book Aḥkām Ahl al-Dhimmah, where he said:

“As for congratulating the distinctive rituals of disbelief, it is prohibited by consensus—such as congratulating them on their festivals or their fasting, saying, ‘May you have a blessed festival,’ or ‘Enjoy this festival,’ and the like. If the one who says this is spared from disbelief, then it is among the prohibited acts. It is comparable to congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross; rather, it is even more sinful in the sight of Allah and more detestable than congratulating someone for drinking wine, killing a soul, committing illicit sexual acts, and the like. Many people who have little regard for religion fall into this without realizing the ugliness of what they have done. Whoever congratulates a person for an act of disobedience, an innovation (Bidaa), or disbelief has exposed himself to the wrath and anger of Allah.” End of his words—may Allah have mercy on him.

Congratulating disbelievers on their religious holidays is prohibited—and with the severity mentioned by Ibn al-Qayyim—because it entails approval of their rituals of disbelief and contentment with them, even if the person does not approve of such disbelief for himself. It is forbidden for a Muslim to approve of the rituals of disbelief or to congratulate others for them, because Allah the Exalted does not approve of that.

Allah says:

“If you disbelieve – indeed, Allāh is Free from need of you. And He does not approve for His servants disbelief. And if you are grateful, He approves [i.e., likes] it for you;” (Quran, 39:7)

 And He says:

“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islām as religion.” (Quran, 5:3)

Congratulating them is prohibited whether or not they are colleagues at work.

If they congratulate us on their holidays, we should not respond, because these are not our festivals and because they are festivals that Allah does not approve

Allah says:

“And whoever desires other than Islām as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.” (Quran, 3:85)

Accepting a Muslim invitation on such an occasion is prohibited, because this is even more serious than merely congratulating them, as it involves participating with them in it.

It is also forbidden for Muslims to imitate disbelievers by holding celebrations on this occasion, exchanging gifts, distributing sweets or food dishes, suspending work, and the like. This is based on the statement of the Prophet ﷺ: “He who imitates any people (in their actions) is considered to be one of them.” (Sahih)

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said in his book Iqtidaʾ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm Mukhalafat Aṣḥāb al-Jaḥīm:

“Imitating them in some of their festivals brings joy to their hearts regarding the falsehood they adhere to, and it may encourage them to seize opportunities and subdue the weak.”
End of his words—may Allah have mercy on him.

Whoever does any of that is sinful, whether done out of courtesy, affection, shyness, or any other reason, as it compromises or undermines the principles of the religion of Allah and serves to strengthen the disbelievers’ confidence and pride in their religion.

We ask Allah to honor the Muslims through their religion, grant them steadfastness upon it, and grant them victory over their enemies. Indeed, He is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.

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