Is celebrating Christmas and exchanging gifts on it forbidden, bearing in mind the statement of one of the scholars who permitted it, citing the Prophet's fasting on Monday for his birth? And is congratulating one's mother on it, while inwardly disapproving, permissible?

Muslims celebrating Christmas, congratulating disbelievers on it, and exchanging gifts during it is a reprehensible and forbidden innovation (bid‘ah munkarah) because it involves imitating disbelievers and contravening the guidance of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the guidance of his companions. The prohibition becomes even more severe if the celebration is accompanied by objectionable acts. It is not permissible to obey one's mother in this objectionable matter; rather, she must be advised. Citing the Prophet's fasting on Monday because it was the day of his birth is an out-of-place argument.