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'm not really sure why people are being so rude/defensive here OP. You've explained your specific context well I think...and still people are having a pop at you, projecting their own personal beliefs/non-belief system onto your question.

I'm a Humanist, so completely reject any and all faiths that rely on God/gods or any other supernatural being. However, I would not be at all offended or upset if anyone 'blessed' me with their own beliefs in a moment of care, or to offer emotional support of some kind. My Nan always said things like this 'God bless you', 'bless you', 'God speed' and so on...it was her belief and her way of offering love and care. Why would this be offensive 🤷‍♀️

As to the whole 'not in the workplace'...you've explained the context OP, so I doubt your colleague would feel offended or upset. You could maybe ask her though, just to clarify.

Don't all posts on any thread bring the thread into "Active" (unless the topic has been hidden)? It isn't something that only happens when there are a lot of posts.

I'm a staunch atheist and pretty anti-religion tbh. I realise I can't speak for a Muslim person, however, I would not be offended by someone wishing me well by using an expression based in their religion. I expect that how someone of a different faith would react might be quite an individual thing.

Because they haven't bothered to read the OP's updates @twentysevendresses

However, I would not be at all offended or upset if anyone 'blessed' me with their own beliefs in a moment of care, or to offer emotional support of some kind.

I agree. It is there way of being kind. It might not tally with your own beliefs or lack of, but to be offended by something like this is ridiculous.

I sometimes feel that Christians don’t have freedom of speech but atheists do.

The Christian and Islamic God are believed to be the same, so in theory I would see it as ok. However I can’t be sure what others would think.

I think you'll find the Romans "imposed" Christianity on people later on.

As a Muslim, no I won't be offended at all. I'm in the UK and respect the culture and customs of this country. Saying 'God Bless' will be the same thing as what I will say in my home country if translated adding 'Allah' iyswim. It's just a translation with the same meaning so don't worry op and people should be accustomed to that anyway living in the UK which goes the same way as someone non Muslim living in a Muslim country will hear "May Allah Bless you" in their own language which will be translated to "God Bless you" in English.

@FloralGums "I sometimes feel that Christians don’t have freedom of speech but atheists do."

What do you mean?

It's difficult to say.

I am not religious.

I have had people say "God bless you" or similar to me in a very gentle way and not requiring or expecting any response from me. I do not have a problem with this.

I have also had people say it to me in a goady way, as they know I am not religious, and they are trying to get a response out of me. I very much do not like this.

So it's hard to say, really.

Really? In what sense? On MN, for example, Christians make posts from a Christian point of view and atheists make posts from an atheist point of view. Obviously they often disagree with each other. However, the Christian posters quite often complain about atheists being allowed to post what they do, or about them joining in on threads about religion. I don't think I've ever seen atheists complaining about Christians being allowed to post about religion.

So who is trying to shut down whose freedom of speech? What it seems to come down to is that many Christians think their views should be sacrosanct and go unchallenged, while atheists are usually pretty happy to engage with challenges about their views.

Just don’t.

Yes same for me. I see beyond the literal words and appreciate the well-meaning expression of care.

I’m not a believer but when my mother died a Muslim lad at a call centre wished me Allah’s blessings on me and my family and I was touched.

You cannot be more further than the truth if you tried. The three Abrahamic faiths believe in the same God,

I think most reasonable people of faith of whatever type would be unlikely to take offence at a heartfelt wish for their wellbeing. If this is one of these work people you’re close to - one of the people who is perhaps less than a friend, but more than an acquaintance - then I’m sure you’re well placed to judge how it was/ will be received.

Personally, I have never found that Muslim acquaintances I’ve come across living in the U.K. have ever been other than polite and friendly and I can’t imagine them taking offence at such a thing. Atheists I’ve found more chippy. However, I’d hope that anyone expressing empathy and ‘positive vibes’ to anyone else perhaps instinctively in the way that’s natural to them - effectively reaching out to another human being - would be greeted positively by the recipient. Enough people wish you ill in life or are indifferent without taking umbrage at the truly kind hearted ( where non- proselytising).

I’ve always assumed that when someone says God bless you or the equivalent blessing in another religion, that it’s a shorthand for ‘ I love/ like/ value you and wish with all my heart that things get better’.

People of the church say god bless to me all the time.
I'm not offended. They mean well.

As a Muslim woman I would find it endearing not offensive.

Exactly. People express their best wishes in different ways according to their culture, religion and upbringing. This doesn't mean you're trying to impose your beliefs on someone. Lots of expressions we use have their roots in religion anyway.

Well, ask her? Some people would be fine with it, some people would think it disrespectful or insulting. You know this woman. We don’t. Ask her.

Each person will react differently. One Muslim may welcome this but another might find it odd. I don't understand why you're asking on here because there is no universal answer.

You can say ‘God Bless’ anywhere you like. This isn’t North Korea.

When my husband was dying I had to ring the bank to organise our finances. The lovely mam I spoke to said he would pray for me - his kindness touched me - I am not a believer, but greatly appreciated the intention fo comfort me.

hanali - one of the first signs of the Black Death or Bubonic Plague was sneezing -
‘bless you’ is a generationally remembered response to this.

(‘Ring o Roses’ also commemorates symptoms and usual result)

“Bless You” to a colleague in a secular workplace is completely different in its motivation, delivery, origin.