28/12/2025
One of my non-Muslim neighbors invited me to a family lunch on the occasion of Christmas. Twenty-seven people attended from his family (8 households). I initially declined because I was scheduled to attend an Islamic conference outside the state where I live. Then, by God’s will, my trip was postponed to the following day, so I accepted his invitation. This is what happened:
My neighbor’s family took great care to prepare many halal dishes and drinks especially for me.
After lunch, my neighbor deliberately asked me— in front of all the family members—about Christ and the Muslim position toward him (he already knew my view regarding the divinity of Christ and his status in Islam from a previous discussion between us).
I began by explaining the lofty status of our master Jesus and Lady Mary in our religion, how the Qur’an honored them, and how the Qur’an emphasizes kindness toward the People of the Book and distinguishes them with a special status in Islam.
Then, with gentleness and wisdom, I explained Islam’s position on four issues: the miraculous birth of Christ and its significance; the divinity of Christ; the crucifixion of Christ and his resurrection; and finally, the return of Christ at the end of time. I emphasized that the Islamic position is closer to logic, reason, and historical facts, and I cited some passages from the Gospel that support our narrative.
As soon as I finished, those present competed in expressing their amazement at Islam’s tolerance and its reverence for Christ and his mother, and their regret that non-Muslims are unaware of this. Then questions poured in, going beyond the original topic to everything that is commonly raised against Islam, such as the status of women, inheritance, hijab, polygamy, violence, etc. I told them that there are no red lines for questions, for there is nothing in Islam we are ashamed to discuss. The discussion lasted about 90 minutes, during which I answered their questions and intentionally made comparisons between Islam and other systems on these issues, highlighting the distinction and realism of our religion.
Observations:
No one interrupted me or objected to a single word I said, despite Islam’s disagreement with the very basis of the celebration they had gathered for. Rather, they listened respectfully.
Many did not hesitate to support my viewpoints on numerous points, even when they contradicted their own beliefs.
Not a single person showed signs of annoyance or anger at that “stranger who came to ruin our holiday.” Instead, they smiled whenever I answered a question.
No one tried to attack me or change the subject; they listened attentively despite the length of the discussion.
Many affirmed that they doubt Christ was a historical figure who actually lived, and that his story might simply be a legend like other myths.
Of the 27 people who attended the lunch, only 3 said they had attended church prayers for Christmas (all of them grandmothers). Some had not entered a church at all, and perhaps had not prayed to Christ since childhood.
The majority stated that their relationship with Christmas is nothing more than a family gathering, with no religious dimension whatsoever. Some even enjoyed making jokes about God, His crucifixion, and His inability to defend Himself.
Most of them had never spoken to a Muslim in their lives, and all their information about Islam came from media falsehoods. Despite that, they had not developed negative feelings toward Muslims.
Criticism of the ugliness of white-supremacist culture was present, and it was linked to Palestine, the birthplace of Christ—despite the fact that the entire family is white.
At the end of the session, some apologized for their ignorance about Islam. I responded kindly and apologized for Muslims’ shortcomings in conveying Islam and refuting misconceptions. Then I asked them if they would like to read the Qur’an to learn about true Islam, and they welcomed the idea. I distributed 12 copies of the Qur’an that were in my car and invited them to contact me to discuss what they read.
Some of them invited me to visit their homes to talk more about Islam and its Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him.
Conclusion:
The amount of benefit and fruit achieved in two hours surpasses the outcomes of my da‘wah work over many months, even though I work in the field of Islamic outreach. It is difficult—if not impossible—to reach this type of people with this kind of friendly, open dialogue through the internet, street da‘wah caravans, mosque visits, or similar means.
Dear brothers who oppose congratulating non-Muslims on their holidays—and I appreciate their zeal for the religion—may be overlooking the reality and context upon which a legal ruling is applied when issuing a fatwa.
Insisting that congratulation contradicts the opinions of the four imams, or that Ibn al-Qayyim reported consensus, does not mean the issue is settled; had they lived in our time, they might have changed their fatwas, as some scholars did.
Ibn al-Qayyim himself narrated the story of the Prophet’s reception of the Christian delegation of Najran in his mosque, even allowing them to pray there. Did the Prophet not know that they were praying to Christ? Was this an endorsement of their shirk? Or was it a matter of courtesy and good hospitality in order to soften hearts?
There is confusion between matters of belief (affirming the divinity of Christ, which the Muslim who offers congratulations does not believe) and matters of jurisprudence (the ruling on offering congratulations as a form of social courtesy). The disagreement here lies in fiqh, not creed.
Not everyone who sees the permissibility of congratulating others is reckless, defeated, or suffering from inferiority; among them are virtuous people of character and knowledge who strive to serve their religion.
I call upon respected scholars who live in Muslim-majority countries to limit their fatwas to the reality they live in, and to leave the Muslims in the West to their own fatwas, as they are more aware of their circumstances.
My words concern those who offer congratulations as gentle social courtesy, not those who participate in the rituals by buying trees, wearing Christmas clothes, and the like—this is another issue.
Finally, I hope that this post and others like it do not distract you from more important matters, such as beloved Palestine and the oppressed and wronged everywhere on God’s vast earth.
And God knows best.
Quoted
Author: Ayman Soliman
