Obligation of a Muslim Towards a Disbeliever

[Muslims Are Good Folks]

Obligation of a Muslim Towards a Disbeliever

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 pr
ohibition 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
Jibreel (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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