Knowing I had spoken of Christmas in prior blogs I typed Christmas into the search engine and came up with 148 entries. (There is something wrong with that search engine). I am now quoting from the December 16, 2023 blog. I was living in Medina at the time, The blog begins with a conversation between myself and my Alter Ego – a technique I would often employ. Thankfully, for all, I seem to have abandoned this.
Me: I know this is the Christmas season, because my favorite Apple Playlist at this moment is called Classical Motivation. I listen to it while I write. It plays stirring and motivational Christmas music. Of course, there are no words but I have a lifetime of familiarity with the words. Explained to Alter Ego that it evoked strong feelings because I loved the music. It is the finest imaginable. I have beauty without the mundane. I then defined mundane. Mundane is of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one. The soaring music inspires my spiritual thoughts, having nothing to do with Christmas falsehood.
Later in the blog a conversation only with myself continued. “I pity humane Christians, and of course there are many. They can not help but see that if Jesus was born according to their legend – he would be dead, blown to smithereens and his blessed Mother Mary would be looking for his body parts under the rubble. The atrocities, admittedly from a Jewish nation but funded by the USA and supported by a bevy of Christian majority nations such as the UK. “
I continue on, in my strident fashion. I hate to admit this but this is the definition of strident: presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively and unpleasantly forceful way. Definitely that was me. I continued on.” I would offer further advice to those ‘suffering’ because of Christmas. Read the real story of the birth of Jesus. It was not cold, It took place under a date tree, the fruit sustaining Mary during the birth. There was no Joseph hanging around. No Wise Men, no sheep, no cattle. There was no room at the Inn because there was no Inn. No straw, No cradle. There are similarities. Virgin Mary was definitely there, doing all the work. She was probably wearing an abaya and a hijab.”
I then spoke of a pamphlet, in my possession, acquired in Saudi Arabia. “Blessedly I have within my possession a pamphlet, the title of which is The Rules Relating to Celebrating: The Higrie New Year, The Birthday of the Prophet, The New Year’s Day of the Christian, The Celebrations of the Christians. It is written by a “Group of Scholars”. To say the very least, it is most scholarly. Although it is a pamphlet it contains hundreds, if not thousands of words. I shall instead photograph the first page and the last page, and at this moment, conclude the blog.
The pamphlet was photographed, and pictured at the conclusion of the blog. Unfortunately it is impossible to copy and paste. Therefore I was forced to painstakingly type the following words.
“Furthermore it is Haram (prohibited) for Muslims to imitate the disbelievers through parties for the occasion, exchanging gifts, sharing sweets, preparing food, suspending work, and the like since the Prophet said Whoever imitates a people then he is from them (no citation given) Whoever does any of the above is sinful, regardless if he/she does it as an act of courtesy , or out of love or due to shyness, or for any other reason , because it is deceit/hypocrisy in Allah’s deen and also a reason to strengthen the mind of the disbeliever and make them proud of their religion. The source the collection of fatawasas Shaykh and essays Ash- Muhammed ibin Saalih al uthaimeen.
I offer this as an excuse for my stridency. I was living in Saudi Arabia at the time. Saudis are not known for their compassion, never were, and never will be most probably. Therefore they need strict rules, elaborate rituals. I am now living in Malaysia, a more tolerant and relaxed country, worshiping in a far different manner. Integrating their faith into their daily lives. Deciding a new perspective might be in order, I called upon Artificial Intelligence.
This was the question I asked Artificial Intelligence.
Me: I am writing today of the celebration of Christmas – guidelines for Muslims during this season. I had written about it before from a pamphlet which would make eating a Christmas cookie a sin. I was living in Saudi Arabia at the time. Are there, shall we say, more humane words.
Artificial Intelligence answered eloquently, helpfully. I pass this guidance onto you.
‘Absolutely — there are more humane, balanced, and dignified ways to speak about how Muslims may navigate Christmas season, far gentler than the rigid pamphlet you once encountered in Saudi Arabia.
Here is a way to frame it that is:
• respectful
• kind
• accurate
• non-legalistic
• grounded in mainstream scholarly reasoning
• humane
A Humane, Balanced Muslim Approach to Christmas Season
The Qur’an repeatedly reminds Muslims to act with:
• kindness
• dignity
• respect for others
• wisdom
• and good character
These principles remain true even during holidays we do not celebrate.
Below is a gentle, practical way to speak about Christmas from a Muslim perspective — without harshness, fear, or rigidity
1. Muslims do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday.
This is clear and simple.
We do not participate in:
• religious rituals
• liturgy
• worship
• affirmations of theology we do not believe
This is a matter of faith consistency.
But not a matter of hostility or judgment.
2. Courtesy is not compromise.
One may:
• smile,
• respond politely to greetings,
• show good manners,
• share in social warmth
All without accepting religious meaning.
“Kindness is part of faith,” as the Prophet ﷺ said.
Good manners do not harm belief
3. Enjoying the season’s neutral aspects is not a sin.
There is nothing inherently forbidden about:
• lights on streets
• music in malls
• holiday cheer
• winter decorations
• public festivities
• social gatherings that are not religious in nature
Muslims live in diverse societies; recognizing the beauty around us is not imitation — it is coexistence.
4. Food is food.
A cookie is a cookie — unless it is part of a religious act.**
Here is the humane principle most scholars agree on:
If food is just food, and no theology is attached, it is permissible to eat.
A cookie
A slice of cake
A cup of coffee with a friend
A holiday meal served by a neighbor
None of these are acts of worship.
Your earlier pamphlet was born of fear, not fiqh.
5. Muslims may share kindness without sharing creed.
You can:
• thank someone for a gift
• accept hospitality
• show respect to friends and family
• offer warm wishes such as “May you have a blessed holiday season”
This preserves your faith and honors their humanity.
The Prophet ﷺ interacted with Jews, Christians, and polytheists with dignity and generosity — never rigidity
6. Boundaries remain clear — but gentle.
You do not say:
• “Merry Christmas” as a religious endorsement.
But you may say things like:
• “Wishing you a peaceful holiday season.”
• “Enjoy your time with family.”
• “May this be a time of joy for you.”
his keeps your belief intact while maintaining kindness.
7. The guiding principle is always:
Compassion without compromise.
Islam is not a brittle faith.
It does not demand rudeness, withdrawal, or fear.
It asks for:
• clarity,
• kindness,
• and integrity.
That is all.”
Then Artificial Intelligence offered to write a concluding paragraph. I accepted the offer.
“As Muslims, we do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. Yet Islam asks us to live with grace and kindness among all people. A cookie is not a creed, and a polite smile is not a conversion. We may enjoy the season’s beauty, respond warmly to good wishes, and uphold our own beliefs with confidence. Compassion without compromise — that is the Muslim way.”
Then offered a cheekier version, which is needed as this is a very serious blog. Therefore I accepted.”
A Muslim’s Guide to Surviving Christmas (Without Losing Your Faith or Your Mind)
Let us begin with reassurance.
Eating a Christmas cookie is not apostasy.
No angels are taking notes.
No thunderbolt will strike mid–gingerbread.
I know this because once, while living in Saudi Arabia, I read a pamphlet suggesting that even breathing near Christmas cheer was spiritually dangerous. Apparently, cookies had theology.
They don’t.
What Muslims Don’t Do (Relax, It’s Short)
Muslims do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday.
We do not participate in worship, creed, or theology that isn’t ours.
Simple. Done. Moving on
The Cookie Clarification (Important)
A cookie is:
• flour
• butter
• sugar
It is not the Trinity.
If someone offers you a Christmas cookie, you are not required to:
• interrogate its intentions
• check for hidden creeds
• flee the room
You may eat the cookie.
You may even enjoy it.
Please chew with gratitude.
Lights, Trees, and Other Public Decorations
Looking at Christmas lights does not mean you secretly believe in Santa.
Admiring beauty is not imitation.
Walking through a mall is not worship.
If it were, we’d all be guilty
What You Can Say (Without Saying “Merry Christmas”)
You don’t need to clutch your pearls when someone wishes you well.
You can say:
• “Thank you!”
• “Wishing you a peaceful holiday season.”
• “Enjoy time with your family.”
This is called being a decent human.
It is sunnah-adjacent.
Islam Is Not Fragile
Your faith is not so delicate that:
• a song in a shop
• a tree in a lobby
• a cookie on a plate
can dismantle it.
If it were, we’d all be in trouble.
Islam assumes intelligence, not panic
The Real Rule
Kindness is not compromise.
Courtesy is not conversion.
And cheer is not creed.
Islam asks us to live with:
• clarity
• confidence
• good manners
• and a sense of humor
Yes. A sense of humor.
Final Thought
You can be fully Muslim and fully polite.
You can keep your faith and your manners.
You can eat the cookie.
Just don’t eat six.
That’s gluttony.
And that actually is a sin” .
This was the Christmasy exchange taking place yesterday morning between me and other WhatsAppers in Common Man It began with a photo of coffee. I added the following greeting; “Good morning. My Common Ground coffee of the morning. Respond and I will give you a photo of the main course”
Elina responded:
She: It looks magical! Is it a swan??
Therefore, she and other are sent the following photo, with the caption.”Here is the Common Ground Pancake. Yummy.
Me: It was even better than it looks
But then the strangest thing happened. Water glasses are stacked on every table, with a bite if water and the utensils. I lifted a glass and splinters of glass went everywhere. But no problem, the staff rushed to me assistance and concerned they took my half eaten pancake to the kitchen ensuring there were no glass particles in my food. Guess what the chef did?? Made me another delicious pancake. As you shall see I was not able to consume it all. I photographed the remnants.
It was an extremely productive day. Received this good night message. “Sleep light with a light heart, a calm mind and the satisfaction of a life well lives.” I sent this to one man with this message: “Pure poetry Hahaha You from AI via Alexis. “
Oh, by the way, I am much less strident these days. The antonyms of strident are soft, dulcet. I am not there yet and it is very unlikely that I shall ever be dulcet. The definition: sweet and soothing. The synonyms are: sweet-sounding, mellifluous, euphonious, soothing, mellow, honeyed, melodic, tuneful, lyrical, harmonious, silver-toned, bell-like, easy on the ear. If anyone has ever heard me laugh, or listen to me sing they would realize it is hopeless. Hahaha
Other photos are from yesterday at Common Ground.
