Then how come some Muslims feel obliged or are careless to respond to Christians who wish them 'Merry Christmas', and answer them by saying 'Thank you, and you too', thus acknowledging their religious holiday! Don't they realize that what they are actually congratulating them with is shirk - polytheism -, which is the only sin which Allah will not forgive if a person dies without repenting from it?Drinking alcohol, or killing someone, committing illegal sexual intercourse are all major sins, but if Allah wills, He can forgive a person for them - yet no one would think of congratulating someone with this.However, Christmas is the celebration by the Christians of the birth of Jesus Christ (peace and blessings be upon him), their 'savior' who 'died for their sins on the cross' - how can we congratulate anyone for this ?! Is it a time for happiness and 'jingle bell all the way'? All the way ...to the Fire?!
If someone greets us with 'Merry Christmas', we don't have to feel shy or be afraid of being rude and offending him/her if we don't respond to them with the same ; there is nothing wrong with politely but firmly answering, "I am Muslim, I don't celebrate Christmas."
As Muslim we should be proud of our religion and apply its rulings, and we should not give them up out of shyness or to impress anyone, for Allah is more deserving of us feeling shy before Him.
It may be difficult for those of us who have Christian families, however, this is a time when it will become clear where our loyalties truly lie: with the party of Allah, or with the party of the Shaytaan.
Allah says in Surah at-Tawbah 9:62: "...It is more fitting that they should please Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him) if they are believers."
The Prophet (saw) said:
"If anyone seeks Allah's satisfaction at the expense of people's anger, Allah will be pleased with him and will cause people to be pleased with him. However, if anyone seeks people's satisfaction at the expense of Allah's anger, Allah will be angry with him and will cause people to be angry with him." [Ibn Hibban]
Abu Sa'id said, "A sign of lacking certainty of faith is that you seek to satisfy people at the expense of Allah's Wrath..."
Allah says:
"And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity." [Al-Furqan 25:72]
Shaykh -ul -Islam Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned that the early Muslims use this verse as proof that the Muslims do not cooperate or witness or celebrate these festivals and holidays of the disbelievers [not only Christmas, but also Thanksgiving, Easter etc.]. And for the ruling on the one who participates in these kuffar festivals, then he is a sinner and he has to make repentance from it.
Below more information of what the scholars have said regarding how we should deal with some of these issues, such as
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congratulating the disbelievers on the occasion of their festivals
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participating in their celebrations
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eating food prepared for their festivals
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accepting their gifts on the occasion of their festivals
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