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.

I am a Muslim women and I would not be offended by someone saying God bless you.
For us God is one..the one God from the people of the book (Jews and christians).
We don't believe in the trinity so we don't believe jesus is God but he is a respected prophet.
OP we have a chapter in the quran about the virgin Mary and the birth if you want to check it out.
My children go to a Christian school and alot of Muslim parents attend church for harvest/easter/Christmas services and children's activities.
The religious leaders are very inclusive and the prayers and stories have a Christian perspective and common values. I have no problem with it.

I think going to a mosque and speaking to muslims will give you a better understanding of any questions or religious etiquette but to the point...I wouldn't be offended and would take it as a positive.

@Poetics I agree.

Then what is the difference in saying in bless you in the situation written in the original thread question to that of saying bless you after someone sneezes?

Keep religion out of the workplace, full stop. I have a colleague who used to sign off certain emails "god bless" and it was cringe.

Muslims aren't offended by God, they believe in God whom they call Allah which is the Arabic word for God. They also believe in Jesus and again aren't offended by him; they believe he is a messenger/prophet of God rather than son. No big deal, stop over thinking things.

Apparently it isn't.

@Fireflies8 thank you for your response. I will definitely follow up that that chapter in the Quaran about Mary.

@halloumidippers I too have a Christian colleague who does this (to colleagues, not patients) and no one seems to mind, people like his confidence and charisma. I like it, but wouldn't do it myself!

@Enterthedragonqueen hope you don't mind me asking, are you Muslim?

Oops

@RampantIvy but thank you for your thoughtful response, I think the majority of people commenting aren't Muslim! :)

Yes

@thankyouforthedayz I'm also fed up of people asking if I'm offended by receiving a Christmas card or having Jesus mentioned in my presence. I hope this helps.

@Maddy70 thank you, I hope your cancer treatment has had a good outcome. I would never bless or tell anyone I'm praying for them unless I knew they were a person of faith. I do take to heart that you feel insulted by people saying they are praying for you. Before I got more into Christianity I felt it was quite an intrusive, self centreing and sometimes trite thing to say to someone.

@Timeforabiscuit good point.

I can see why non believers get irritated or find it irrelevant when believers (of any faith) bring God into the conversation, but I don't get why they would be offended.

I am a Christian. If a Muslim person said Allah was blessing me or similar - If it was a stranger I'd feel a bit uncomfortable, if it was a friend or acquaintance I'd take it in the caring way it way meant.

Muslims, Christians and Jews share the same God

@Enterthedragonqueen thank you, I'm hearing you don't need people to 'tread on eggshells' quite so much around you! I'm doing yet more overthinking now, but my fear of offending is a maybe a tad self indulgent and a bit white liberal.

@Eastcoastie I wouldn't be uncomfortable if said in either context, but I hear where you're coming from.

@Justcallmebebes Yes. This.

I'm not Muslim but I would not like you saying that to me in a professional context. I wouldn't be offended by I would rather you didn't.

This has gone into 'active' on my front page now so I'm going to stop reading as I was interested in Muslim views and I think comments will now become mainstream. Thank you people and Good Morning!

Just be human and offer kind wishes whilst leaving God out of it. Religion and faith should not be mentioned in the workplace.

I think its fine to say god bless you, I assume you will note the situation.

I do find it slightly strange that you refer to yourself as a Christian (i.e. follower of Christ) when you have refered to him as a prophet and not the son of God, and also said that you don't believe in the main tenants of Christianity i.e. his resurrection...
Yes I know that's not the main point of the thread, but as a Christian I find it very strange.