Ties with Non-Muslims

By Rana Rais Khan

With a war on terror present worldwide, an invisible divide has occurred between the Islamic world and others. Unresolved, long-standing issues, unjust political patronage and media hype fan irrelevant hatred adding to everybody's confusion.

Peace is every human being's right and must be the order of the day. But we see otherwise around us today. In this challenging and dangerous situation, it is difficult to understand our own as well as other's rights. However, we can learn the code of conduct drawn out for every Muslim for optimum benefits of the society in light of the Quran and Sunnah.

Tool of ‘Dawah' (Invitation to Islam)

There is an old folk saying: “You can draw more flies with honey than with vinegar.” Prophet Muhammad (saw) with a pleasant and just demeanor was able to reach out and touch people's hearts - countless people entered into the folds of Islam. Even those, who did not convert to Islam, always attested to his truth and magnanimity.

When Allah's Messenger (saw) sent Muath Ibn Jabal and Abu Musa al-Asharee (rta) to Yemen, he advised them: “Be lenient and not strict and bring glad tidings and do not repel people.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

This is precisely because our actions speak louder than our words. At times, we are negligent of the fact that we, as Muslims, are ambassadors of Islam. One questionable act or word from us brings the credibility of Islam in the line of fire. Conversely, our graceful conduct can win many friends and cause foes to think twice.

Tolerance - An Integral Part of Islam

Islam urges Muslims to exercise benevolence with non-Muslims. Believers are encouraged to give gifts, money and visit non-Muslims. This will educate the non-Muslims of social relations in Islam. The Quran states that tolerant people will be rewarded with "a garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth." (Al-Hadid, 57:21)

Similarly, it is not considered in good taste to ridicule other beliefs. Prophet Muhammad (saw) always gave a fair chance to all his opponents to explain their case explicitly. He never interrupted their speech, nor did he abuse them verbally or physically. He made friends to enforce Allah's (swt) Deen and waged wars to defend Islam. There was never a shade of personal ego attached to any of his actions or words.

Today, there is a place in Kuala Lumpur that is a symbol of religious tolerance. Here, a mosque, a temple and a church share common boundaries and their respective worshippers freely practice their beliefs with no fear.

Charity and Aid

It is certainly permissible to help poor non-Muslims, unless one knows that they are actively hostile to Islam. It is reported that Umar Ibnul Khattab (rta) saw an elderly Christian man begging. He inquired about his circumstances, and when he was told that the man was a Christian, he ordered that he should be given help from the treasury of the Muslim state. His reasons were that the man paid taxes imposed on non-Muslims, when he was able to earn. Therefore, he was entitled to help, when he lost that source of his income.

Besides that, voluntary alms in the form of Sadaqah can be given to destitute non-Muslims to uplift their conditions.

Relations with Neighbours

Neighbours’ rights are of prime importance in Islam, regardless of which belief they belong to. Muslims are encouraged to abide by decent and courteous civic laws and actively participate in community service. For starters, they can begin with their own neighbourhood and ensure their neighbours are never placed in a hurtful or awkward position.

Abdullah ibn Amr (rta) slaughtered a sheep and said: “Have you presented a gift from it to my neighbour, the Jew, for I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: ‘(The angel) Gabriel kept on commending the neighbour to me, until I thought he would make him an heir.” (Abu Dawud)

Familial Relations

Asma Bint Abi Bakr (rta) once asked Allah's Apostle (saw), if it was permissible for her polytheist mother to visit her and enter her house. He said to her: “Yes, be in touch with your mother.” (Agreed upon)

It is also narrated that Umar Ibnul Khattab (rta) presented his polytheist brother with a silk dress as a gift, which Prophet Muhammad (saw) had given to Umar (rta). (Bukhari)

Safiyya (rta), one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad (saw), endowed her Jewish brother with part of her fortune to show him, how much she cared to keep good relations with him. (Baihaqi)

Conversely, Allah (swt) also states: “O you who believe, do not take your fathers and your brothers as friends, if they prefer unbelief over faith...”  (At-Tauba, 9:23) Any relative, who deliberately attempts to jeopardize a believer's faith, is not considered to be a friend. A Muslims' foremost sincerity belongs to Allah (swt) and His Apostle (saw).

Quran as a Gift to Non-Muslims

Some scholars state that if we are certain that our non-Muslim friends will be able to treat our gift of the Quran to them with respect and dignity, there is no harm in doing so. Prophet Muhammad (saw) sent messages to rulers of neighbouring states and included in his letters verses from the Quran, knowing that those rulers were not believers.

Another valid logic that must be remembered is that the Quran is applicable to all mankind, and we have to make it known to them. It is our duty to convey the message to them and to invite them towards Allah's (swt) final revelation.

Therefore, if we know that a non-believer wants to read the Quran to understand and learn, we should encourage him to read the Quran, which is the best source of knowledge.

Supplication for Non-Muslims

The best supplication for non-believers is to pray for their guidance. Abu Hurairah (rta) reported that Tufayl ibn Amr al-Dawsi and his companions came to Prophet Muhammad (saw) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, the Daws (Tufayl's tribe) have rebelled and disobeyed, so invoke Allah's wrath against the” People said: “Now Daws is doomed!” Allah's Messenger (saw) prayed: “O Allah, guide the Daws and bring them here.” (Bukhari)

Allah (swt) is the One, Who can open hearts to the call of Islam. Another great example is of Umar (rta), for whom Prophet (saw) had prayed to Allah (swt) to enter him into the folds of Islam and strengthen it. Allah (swt) heard his supplication and Umar (rta) not only embraced Islam but proved to be one of the most competent and successful Caliphs.

Non-Islamic Celebrations

There are two schools of thought here. Some scholars state that it is not permissible to congratulate non-Muslims on their religious festivals, since it encourages them to move further on to the road of disbelief. Other scholars are of the view that when diverse religious communities live peacefully together, it is courteous to greet each other in their respective festivities. It is also not forbidden to partake of their food, unless we know that they slaughter their animals in a way, which Islam forbids, or use an ingredient that is not Tayyab (pure).

It is not permitted for Muslims to celebrate festivals of other religions. The restraint is set in place, because such celebrations impact lifestyle and thought processes, too. The Prophet (saw) said: “Whoever assimilates to a people, becomes one of them.” (Ahmad) By over indulgence there may be a danger of either adapting other religious beliefs or innovating new festivities.

Employing Expertise

Prophet Muhammad (saw) never hesitated employing expertise of non-Muslims, whenever he deemed necessary. In the tenth year of prophethood, while Allah's Messenger (saw) was returning from Taif, he rested in Hira Cave. He was unable to enter Makkah due to a grave threat to his life. It was at this stage that a polytheist Al-Mutim bin Adi, who was also a notable in Makkah, provided shelter to Prophet Muhammad (saw). Allah's Messenger (saw) never forgot Mutim's favour. Years afterwards, at the conclusion of battle of Badar, he said: “If Mutim bin Adi were living and had asked for the release of these rotten people, then I would have given them to him.” (Bukhari)

Similarly, in the fourteenth year of prophethood, the Prophet (saw) was commanded to immigrate from Makkah to Madinah. For three days, he sought refuge in Cave Thaur with Abu Bakar (rta), while Quraish continued their frantic search for them. Then Abdullah bin Uraiqit, who had not yet embraced Islam, was hired as a guide to take them to Madinah by a safe route.

Balance in Relationship

Islam refuses to compromise its doctrines by either behaving like a doormat to others or like an evil tyrant meant to crush all other ideologies. It wants to set a balance in all its relations.

The Quran states: “O, you who believe, do not take as friends those who take your religion as a joke and an amusement from among the ones, who were given the Scripture before you and the disbelievers. And be mindful of Allah, if you are believers.” (Al-Maidah, 5:57)

Likewise, Allah's Apostle (saw) said: “O people, accept presents so long as they remain presents, but when ... the presents are given for the religion of one of you, then leave them alone.” (Abu Dawud)

There is a difference between being allied with someone, confiding in him and taking him as a friend to the exclusion of Muslims and dealing righteously, being just and keeping good relations with him. Once this is clear, we are free to treat non-Muslims with respect and kindness, depending on their ability to respect and accept our identity as Muslims.