Is it ok for a Christian to say 'God Bless' to a Muslim?

[thankyouforthedayz]

I'm a Christian and I feel I have more in common spiritually with other people of faith (particularly other People of the Book ie Abrahamic faiths) than people who have no or nominal faith. I will often say "God bless" (ie God Bless you") or "Gods hand is on X " to Christian friends/family, but would Muslim people be offended if I said this to them? I believe there is one God but different paths. I wonder if I should revert, as I whilst I love Jesus Christ as a prophet, a spiritual man committed to social justice in a time when people of faith were oppressed by pagans (Romans) I find it hard to believe the literal truth of the Virgin Birth and Resurrection (though I believe in them as powerful metaphors).
I work in the NHS with lots of Muslim colleagues. I have asked, and she was so kind and accepting and said she felt happy for me to say it, but I think she was speaking as a kind friend rather than theologically.

Leave your religion at home. It has no place in the workplace however well meaning you are.

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I'm not your intended audience, OP, but I would prefer you didn't say 'god bless' to me in any context, especially at work.

What circumstances would cause you to say it?

@FloordrobeIsGoingToGetME I would not say it to anyone who is not a person of faith. It's not a casual greeting!

This.

@KnightonShiningArmour with respect, this was not my question. I would never say this to a member of the public, but I was asking about whether this is acceptable to say to a Muslim colleague in a break. Of course I can't leave my faith at home, but of course I can curb expression of it.

@sanityisamyth to a female, Muslim colleague in a break who was sharing a personal family difficulty. We have often talked about faith. My question is to Muslim women.

What good purpose can there be in saying this?

No.

How do you know if someone "is a person of faith" I worked for the NHS for many years, nights mostly and had different, religious people,black,of colour, Muslim all demanding to know if I believe in God, reading their version of the bible, trying to convert me. They came to work with prayer mats and got extra breaks while we worked.I used to say I didn't want to discuss my "beliefs", some were unpleasant, even nasty to me, telling me what I should and shouldn't believe in.

@thankyouforthedayz Do your Muslim colleagues use any expressions of their faith towards you?

I have worked with colleagues of many different faiths and have never heard any use expressions like this towards each other. In fact, the only time religion is ever really expressed is during holidays - and it’s usually just with food 🤷🏻‍♀️ Lots of Muslim colleagues share lovely food during Eid. The staff room is constantly filled with sweet treats during Easter/Christmas.

@Hoogieflip it's a way of expressing care, sympathy, Gods will. I think it's the Christian equivalent of 'Inshallah'.

I don't know why everyone is so aggressively against something as benign as a God bless you, from one person who believes in God to another. I see no problem with it at all and can't really figure out how it could possibly be offensive.

Mumsnet is full of atheists who like to poke fun at anyone who has a faith.

@thankyouforthedayz you might get some more sensible answers if you post on the Muslim mumsnetters board.

@Pumpkinseason3 I have muddied the waters here by saying I work in the NHS, people may be assuming I say it willy nilly to all! I am talking about a one occasion, a close colleague (Muslim, person of faith, we have talked about our faiths) who shared something. She has not said equivalent to me.

Contrary to many views on this thread, I don't mind when people wish me well in any way. I am atheist and have received heartfelt wishes of blessings from my Christian and Hindu friends. Don't try to convert me or tell me life is the will of a higher power, but if you wish others the blessings of a higher power, it tells me more about you and your care for others. Your care is much appreciated.

@RampantIvy I think this is the Muslim Mumnsetters board. That's why I posed here.

@Pumpkinseason3 thank you for your considered reply.

Yesh. Basically, what people here are saying is "Saying God bless you is a silly nonsensical phrase anyway, so there's no point in saying it at all as it doesn't achieve anything".
The OP is talking about two people who believe in God, who have openly discussed such beliefs. Expressing that you hope God blesses the other is completely benign and inoffensive. There is nothing in either religion that would deem expressing spiritual goodwill to another person to be offensive or incendiary. I think this is a complete non issue.

Please, just don't. I worked with a perfectly pleasant chap who got religion. Most people at work do not want to be told about religion or particular beliefs. We were there to do a job, our customers had many faiths and none, as did colleagues.
In the end he was told/ asked to refrain from bringing religion into conversations.
My Muslim colleagues didn't make any religious statements at work. The public sector has to be non partisan, religious beliefs stop at the way in.

Well, given that her God is the one true God she's smiling at you and probably pitying you at the same time for having got it so wrong.

It's different for everyone. Given this particular woman said she was happy about it I'd just take it at face value.

@sparklyfox thank you

"She has not said equivalent to me"

I think this is the key. It's great that you can share about your faiths with your friend but there are boundaries. Stay within them and enjoy your friendship and continue to support your friend.

Someone once stood in front of my desk and prayed for me, after I’d rushed into work late after a nightmare morning.

It was the most awkward minute of my entire life, which, incidentally, didn’t noticeably improve after Janice sent one up to the Big Man on my behalf.

Leave God at home.