Taking part in a Christian religious celebration

Question

All of us who live in the UK: when the Christians’ Christmas day of 25/26 December comes, the Christians give gifts; likewise the Christians have Christmas cards, which they also give to one another. Is it permissible to take and give all this?

Answer

If this is their religious worship (‘ibada), then taking part in it is by no means permissible. If it is not religious worship but merely a day of national or civic rejoicing, then its ruling is not very severe; although one is commanded to keep away from this as well, it is light.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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