Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz
Question: What is obligatory upon a Muslim with respect to non-Muslims
concerning different types of interactions and also with respect to holidays and
festivals?
Response: The responsibility of a Muslim towards non-Muslims are many,
including:
First, he must call them to the way of Allah. This is to preach to them and to
make clear to them the reality of Islam, according to his ability and if he has the
knowledge to do so. This is the greatest and best good deed that one could do
toward his fellow citizen and for those who live together with Jews, Christians
and other disbelievers. On this point, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
"The one who guides to good gets the same reward as the one who performs
it." [Muslim] The Prophet (peace be upon him) also told Ali, when he was
sending him to Khaibar to encounter the Jews, to invite the Jews to Islam. He
told him, "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the
best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The Prophet (peace be upon
him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the
reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being
lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee,
Ibn Maajah] Calling them to Islam, preaching Islam to them and advising them
concerning that is one of the most important deeds and is one of the best ways
to get closer to Allah.
Second, [the Muslim] may not wrong the other person with respect to his life,
wealth or honor, if the non-Muslim is a citizen of the Islamic state or has attained
other protection. He must fulfill the other's rights. He may not wrong him with
respect to his wealth by stealing from him, deceiving him or cheating him. He
cannot harm him in his body by beating or killing him. His protection from the
state guarantees his safety from such things.
Third, there is no prohibition concerning buying, selling, renting or other such
business transactions with them. It has been authentically reported that the
Prophet (peace be upon him) bought things from the polytheistic disbelievers.
He also purchased items from Jews. In fact, when the Prophet (peace be upon
him) died, his shield was being held as collateral with a Jewish person in
exchange for food for his family.
Fourth, one should not give them the greetings of peace first. However, one
responds to their greetings. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Do not
give the greetings of peace first to the Jew or Christian." [Muslim] He also said,
"If the people of the book give you the greeting of peace, then say, 'Wa Alaikum
(and upon you)."' [al-Bukhaaree] Therefore, a Muslim does not greet a
non-Muslim first. But when a Jew, Christian or other disbeliever greets him, he
replies, "And upon you also," as the Prophet (peace be upon him) has ordered.
This is from the rights of conduct between a Muslim and a disbeliever. He also
must be neighborly toward his non-Muslim neighbor. If your neighbor is good to
you, you do not harm him and you may even give him charity if he is poor or
give him a gift if he is rich. You may also advise him concerning what is good for
him. All of this may lead him to want to learn about Islam and become a Muslim
and because neighbors have very great rights. The Prophet (peace be upon
him) said, "The Angel Gabriel kept advising me concerning the neighbor until I
thought he was going to inherit [from his neighbor]." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
Allah also says in the Quran, "Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly
with those who fought not against you on account of religion and drove you not
from your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity" [al-Mumtahinah
(60):7].
It is recorded in an authentic hadith from Asma bint Abu Bakr that her mother,
who was a polytheist, visited her and asked for her assistance - this was during
the time of the peace treaty between the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the
disbelievers so she went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to ask him about
that and he told her to keep the ties of kinship with her and be righteous towards
her.
Fifth, a Muslim should not participate with them in their greetings and festivals.
However, one may give them condolences upon the death of someone if he
finds some legal benefit in doing so. He may say to them, "May future bring
good to you," or something of that nature. He may not say, "May Allah forgive
him," or, "May Allah have mercy on him," if the person who died was a
disbeliever (see Quran 9:113). That is, one may not make prayers for a dead
disbeliever although one may ask for guidance for those who are alive and so
forth.
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