Christmas presents to non-muslims

Are we allowed to give Christmas presents to our non-muslim neighbours as a gesture of good-will?

Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits. There is nothing wrong with giving presents to one's non-Muslim neighbors, friends, and co-workers. Rather, this is from the sunna of being good to one's neighbors and others whom one has relationships with. [Mulla Khusro, Durar]

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasized the rights of neighbors and those one has any kind of relationship with in numerous hadiths, and these do not distinguish betweeen Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors.

However, the proper way to give presents during these festive seasons, is to make one's gesture general or seasonal, rather than relating to their specific religious celebrations. Thus, one would say, for example, "Seasons greetings," or "Happy New Year," or other general expressions, as our ulema explain.

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani