A close consideration of the narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) regarding the topic under consideration shows that these narratives actually relate to two separate issues. The first issue, in which the Prophet (pbuh) has generally used the words: "Oppose the Ahl e Kitaab or the polytheists...", actually relates to the incorrect and the self-imposed additions of the Jews or the polytheists living around the Prophet (pbuh). In other words, these narratives of the Prophet (pbuh) are, in fact, a teaching to disown the incorrect and self-imposed additions (bid`aat) of the Ahl-e-Kitaab and the polytheists. The above explanation is clearly supported by the following narrative reported in Ahmad ibn Hanbal : Once the Prophet walked by a gathering of the elders of the Ansaar [1] , who had white beards. He said to them: 'Dye your beards red or golden and, thereby, oppose the Ahl e Kitaab '. Abu Umaamah says: I asked the Prophet: The Ahl e Kitaab wear trousers but do not wear unstitched leg-coverings. The Prophet replied: 'You should wear trousers as well as unstitched leg-coverings, thereby, oppose the Ahl e Kitaab '. Abu Umaamah said: The Ahl e Kitaab walk with bare-foot and do not wear shoes. The Prophet said: 'You should walk bare-footed as well as wearing shoes and, thereby, oppose the Ahl e Kitaab . Then we asked 'O Prophet of God, the Ahl e Kitaab have their beards trimmed short and they allow their moustaches to grow. The Prophet (pbuh) said: You should trim short your moustaches and allow your beards to grow and, thereby, oppose the Ahl e Kitaab . It is clear that the referred practices were those, which the Ahl e Kitaab had incorrectly adopted as symbols of piety and thus had given these practices a religious sanctity and considered lack of compliance with these practices to be sacrilegious. The Prophet (pbuh) guided the Muslims by declaring that these practices did not actually entail any religious sanctity and, therefore, they should not adhere to them, like the Jews. Seen in the correct perspective, the referred directive of the Prophet (pbuh) is actually a part of his corrective teachings. The second issue, mentioned in the narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) is that, which has generally been reported with the words "Whoever adopts an appearance like a people...". It seems that this issue relates specifically to the time when the Qur'an had directed the Prophet (pbuh) to take aggressive action against the rejecters. It was probably at this time that the Prophet (pbuh) declared that those, who attire themselves like a particular people and adopt an appearance, which is similar to them, because of their apparent similarity shall be considered as being from amongst those people. Thus, if they are mistakenly killed by the Muslims, in their war against the rejecters, they would themselves be responsible for adopting an appearance, which is similar to a nation against whom an action is being taken. The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said: Ibn Umar reports that the Prophet (pbuh) said: I have been sent with a Sword [and have been directed to fight the people] until only the One God, Who has no partners is worshipped. Blessings have been ordained for me, under the shadow of my spear; and disgrace is the fate of all those, who oppose my message. [Therefore, I shall fight them all.] And whoever adopts an appearance similar to a people shall be considered to be from amongst them. The foregoing explanation should adequately clarify the context of the referred narratives. You have asked: Does this hadeeth seem to support the view that Muslims should not take part in Christian celebrations like Christmas? I really do not understand what exactly you mean by 'taking part' in Christian celebrations. I really do not see any reason why a Muslim should 'take part' in the religious celebrations of another religion. If 'taking part' merely implies offering good wishes to the adherents of other religions, at their religious celebrations, then I really do not see any reason to consider the offering of such good wishes as 'adopting an appearance similar to a people'. I hope this would help. January 2, 2001 [1] i.e. the locals of Medinah . Answer published by Moiz Amjad