It is permissible to accept a gift from a non-Muslim because he is a relative or neighbour, or for the purpose of softening his heart and calling him to Islam, but it is prohibited if it is done out of love. With regard to fish, sweets and vegetables, there is nothing wrong with eating them, unless it is known that something prohibited has been put in them, such as alcohol or lard (pork fat).

The point is that whether we say that the hadith of Umm Salamah is sound or not, it is not recommended (mustahabb) to single out the festivals of the disbelievers for fasting; rather it is disliked (makruh) to do that. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It is not permissible to single out the festival days of the polytheists for fasting. End quote from al-Fatawa al-Kubra (5/378). An exception to that may be made for Saturdays and Sundays, according to those scholars who think that the hadith of Umm Salamah is sahih, as noted above.

There is nothing wrong with responding when a non-Muslim greets a Muslim at Eid or on any other occasion, by wishing him well and praying for him in an appropriate manner that is equivalent to his greeting. So one may say to him, “May Allah help you” or “May Allah honour you” and the like, and if the intention is to pray that Allah bless him and guide him to Islam, then that is more appropriate and better. And Allah knows best.

It is not permissible to eat from the food which the Christians or non-Muslims prepare on Christmas or other festivals. It is also not permissible to accept their invitations to join them in their celebrations.

What is forbidden with regard to congratulating the Christians on the occasion of their festivals is expressing joy to them, being overly polite and showing approval of their actions, even if that is only expressed outwardly without feeling it inwardly.

• It is not permissible for the Muslim to take part in the religious celebrations of the non-Muslims and it is not permissible for them to congratulate them. • It is permissible for Muslims to attend celebrations of the non-Muslims on their special occasions such as marriage, recovering from sickness and return from travel on condition that it serves a legitimate Shar`i interest. • It is not permissible for the Muslim to attend celebrations of the non-Muslims or the Muslims in which there is propagation of any false religion or ideology. • It is not permissible for the Muslim to attend any celebration of the non-Muslims or the Muslims if it is done in the manner of a repeated festival every year or every month and so on, like birthdays and Mother’s Day. • It is not permissible for the Muslim to attend any celebration of the non-Muslims or the Muslims that is a prohibited celebration in terms of the occasion, such as Valentine’s Day. • It is not permissible for the Muslim to attend any celebration of the non-Muslims or the Muslims in which there is mixing with women, or music, or where forbidden food is eaten.