Islamonline.net - Eid Al-fitr 1429.. Ongoing Obedience

Kinship Ties

Social Ties with Non-Muslims*

09/10/2007

Islamic society is based on a particular principle, and from this principle emerges its ordainments, manners, morals, and characters. Islam has laid down the basis of relationship with non-Muslims on goodness and justice. It exhorts Muslims to deal with non-Muslims in a pleasant manner.

In his well-known book Ahkam Ahl Adh-Dhimmah Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim said, "It is permissible to offer condolences to non-Muslims at times of bereavement, to visit them when they are sick, and to console them when calamity strikes."

It was reported that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), one of the Prophet's Companions, said, "There was a Jewish boy who used to serve the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The boy became sick, and the Prophet went to visit him. He sat near his head and asked him to embrace Islam. (The boy) looked at his father, who was with him, and he (the father) said to him, Obey Abu Al-Qasim [the Prophet], and the boy embraced Islam. The Prophet left saying, 'Praise be to Allah who has saved the boy from the Hellfire' " (Al-Bukhari).

Also, Almighty Allah allowed Prophet Muhammad to visit his mother's grave though she died as a non-Muslim.

Abu Hurairah reported, "Allah's Messenger visited the grave of his mother and he wept; he moved others around him to tears and said, 'I sought permission to beg forgiveness for her, but it was not granted to me, and I sought permission to visit her grave, and it was granted to me'" (Muslim).

Moreover, it is also permissible to accept gifts from non-Muslims because the Prophet accepted gifts from some non-Muslims, such as Al-Muqawqis, the then ruler of Egypt .

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal recorded that `Abdullah ibn Az-Zubayr said, "Qutaylah came visiting her daughter, Asmaa` bint Abu Bakr, with some gifts such as Dibab, cheese, and clarified (cooking) butter, but she [Qutaylah] was an idolatress at that time. Asmaa' refused to accept her mother's gifts and did not let her enter her house. `A'ishah asked the Prophet about his verdict and Allah sent down the verse [Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you] (Al-Mumtahanah 60:8). Allah's Messenger ordered Asmaa' to accept her mother's gifts and to let her enter her house (Authenticated by Ibn Hibban).

There is nothing wrong with visiting non-Muslims. The Prophet visited his paternal uncle Abu Talib when he was dying and called him to Islam.

According to Al-Bukhari, Sa`id ibn Al-Musayyib quoted his father as saying, "When Abu Talib was on his deathbed, the Prophet went to him. Abu Jahl and `Abdullah ibn Abu Umayyah were present. The Prophet said, 'O uncle, say 'There is no God but Allah', and I will intercede for you before Allah.' Abu Jahl and `Abdullah ibn Abu Umayyah said, 'O Abu Talib, will you turn away from the religion of `Abd Al-Muttalib?' The Prophet said, 'I will keep on praying for forgiveness for you until I am forbidden (by Allah) to do so.' Then the following verse was revealed [It is not (fit) for the Prophet and those who believe that they should ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even though they should be near relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are inmates of the flaming fire.] (At-Tawbah 9:113).

Almighty Allah also teaches Muslims in the glorious Qur'an the manners and etiquettes of engaging in discussion with the Non-Muslims, [And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better] (Al-`Ankabut 29:46).

A striking illustration of this principle can be seen from the Prophet's treatment of the Christian deputation that came from Najran to hold a dialogue with the Prophet in 10 AH.

They were given free access to the Prophet's mosque where they stayed for three days and had a religious discussion with the Prophet.

The mercy, kindness, and gentleness of Allah's Messenger was the reason why people entered the religion of Allah. If Allah's Messenger had not been so kind and gentle, he would have put off the people around him and they would have left him and not believed in Islam.

Islamic history is full of evidence that shows that Muslims have maintained good relations with non-Muslims with which they were able to win hearts and minds. Non-Muslims lived happily and voluntarily under the Islamic rule. This fact can be substantiated by the testimony of the Christians of Jordan:

When the Muslim army reached the valley of Jordan and Abu `Ubaydah pitched his camp at Fihl, the Christian inhabitants of the country wrote to the Arabs, saying: "O Muslims, we prefer you to the Byzantines, though they are of our own faith because you keep better faith with us and are more merciful to us and refrain from doing us injustice and your rule over us is better than theirs, for they have robbed us of our goods and our homes. (Baladhuri 137; T.W.Arnold 55)