Mr. Mbooj:

I take it you have not read subsequent postings I sent after the above
titled article. The article doesn't contain my opinion or directives. The
answers to your questions are contained in the article below.

Again, these are not MY OPINIONS.

Obligation of a Muslim Towards a Disbeliever
Shaykh `Abdul `Aziz ibn Baz
http://www.islaam.com/Article.asp?id=202

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.



Islaam.com





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