According to the Muslim World League head, Muslims are not prohibited from exchanging Christmas greetings with Christians.
Specifically, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Issa reiterated that no text in Sharia law prohibits Muslims from greeting Christians.
Senior Islamic scholars have issued fatwas regarding the exchange of holiday greetings with non-Muslims, and it is not permissible to object to any issue related to Sharia law.
Moreover, he noted that he only objected to issues with a definitive consensus, not those that were presumptive.
According to Al-Issa, no religious text prohibits such greetings, and when a Muslim greets another non-Muslim on holiday, he is not acknowledging another faith.
According to Al-Issa, congratulating non-Muslims on their holidays “serves Islam’s reputation.”
This greeting is intended to promote coexistence and harmony in a world in desperate need of those qualities.
Moreover, Al-Issa pointed out that Islam permits the consumption of the food of “The People of the Book,” which refers to Christians and Jews, and does not allow the consumption of any other foods.
As head of the Makkah-based nongovernmental organization Muslim World League, Al-Issa is dedicated to clarifying the true message of Islam.
Some Muslim scholars have previously sparked controversy by declaring that Christmas greetings are un-Islamic and, therefore, forbidden.
