Is his preferring to work with non-Muslims regarded as taking them as close friends

Is his preferring to work with non-Muslims regarded as taking them as close friends?

Is working in a company that is owned by a kaafir regarded as taking the kuffaar as close friends?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Working for kaafirs and doing business with them is not
regarded as taking them as close friends, but the Muslim must be very
careful in choosing the right type of people, work and business. It is not
permissible for him to work with or deal in haraam things, and it is not
permissible for him to love those people in his heart, or to praise them in
absolute terms. He must also be honest and proficient in his work so as to
give a good example of Muslim morals and manners. 

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said: 

The kinds of friendship that are forbidden include supporting
them against Muslims, supporting them with words that justify their ways,
and feeling proud of their ways. All of these are forms of the friendship
with them that is forbidden and that leads to apostasy from Islam (Allaah
forbid). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And if any amongst you
takes them (as Awliyaa’ [friends and supporters]), then surely, he is one of
them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon
(polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)”

[al-Maa'idah 5:51] 

What is permitted to us is to deal with the kuffaar in ways
that are permissible. So we may engage in trade with them, import goods from
them, trade benefits with them, benefit from their experience, and bring in
those of them whom we employ to do different types of work such as
engineering and other kinds of permissible work. These are the limits within
which we are permitted to interact with them, but we must be cautious and
not give them any authority in the Muslim lands except within the limits of
their work. They should not have any authority over the Muslims or over any
Muslim, rather the Muslims should have authority over them. 

Al-Muntaqa min Fataawa al-Shaykh al-Fawzaan,
2/252 

Muslim bosses should fear Allaah with regard to their work
and their employees, and they should do work that is permissible. They
should give their employees and workers their rights in full, with nothing
lacking. They should not cause their workers and employees to leave them and
go work for kaafir employers instead. 

Many Muslims think that it is the salary and other benefits
that they get from the kaafir that is the motive for working for him,
because they think that they are getting what they are entitled to. But this
leads to bad consequences, such as praising those kuffaar and admiring their
attitude and way of doing business. This may lead to taking them as close
friends, which is a cause for fitnah (temptation and tribulation) for many
of them with regard to their religious commitment after that

Ruling on opening one’s business on the day of kaafir festivals

Ruling on opening one’s business on the day of kaafir festivals

Is it wrong to open one's business on the days of Eid?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

There is nothing wrong with a Muslim opening his business on
the day of the Muslim Eids (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha), subject to the
condition that he does not sell anything that may help some people to
disobey Allaah. 

Secondly: 

With regard to opening one’s business on days that the
non-Muslims take as festivals, such as Christmas and Jewish, Buddhist or
Hindu festivals, there is nothing wrong with that either, subject to the
condition that you do not sell them anything that may help them in their
sins, such as flags, banners, images, greetings cards, lanterns, flowers,
coloured eggs and anything else they use in their festivals. 

Similarly he should not sell the Muslims anything that could
help them to resemble the kuffaar on their festivals. 

The basic principle concerning that is that the Muslim is
forbidden to commit acts of sin or help anyone else to do so. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue,
righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and
transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment”

[al-Maa’idah 5:2] 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn
Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “A Muslim should not sell
things that will help the Muslims to imitate them (the kuffaar) on their
festivals, such as food, clothing and so on, because that is helping in
doing evil.” End quote from Iqtida’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem, 2/520 

And he said: ‘As for
Muslims selling to [the kuffaar] on their festivals the things that help
them to celebrate their festivals, such as food, clothing, herbs and so on,
or giving those things to them, this is a kind of helping them to establish
their haraam festivals.” 

It is narrated that Ibn
Habeeb al-Maaliki said: “Do you not see that it is not permissible for the
Muslims to sell to the Christians anything that has to do with their
festivals, whether it be meat, condiments or clothing; they should not lend
them mounts or help them in any part of their festivals, because that is
like venerating their shirk and helping them in their kufr. The authorities
should forbid the Muslims to do that. This is the view of Maalik and others,
and I do not know of anyone who disagreed with that. 

Iqtida’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem,
2/526; al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 2/489; Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah,
3/1250 

Shaykh al-Islam also said: If the things they buy are used to
do haraam things, such as crosses, palm branches, baptismal fonts, incense,
meat that has been slaughtered for anyone or anything other than Allaah,
images and so on, then they are undoubtedly haraam, such as selling them
juice for them to use as wine, or building churches for them. 

With regard to things that they use in their festivals such
as food, drink and clothing, the basic principles of Ahmad and others
suggest that these are makrooh, but does makrooh mean it is haraam, as in
the madhhab of Maalik, or that it is discouraged? The most likely view is
that it is makrooh in the sense of being haraam, for he does not allow the
sale of bread, meat and herbs to evildoers who will drink wine with them,
because these things are helping them to manifest the false religion and
increase the numbers of people who will gather on their festival. This is
worse than helping one particular person. Al-Iqtida’, 2/2/552 

Ibn Hajar al-Makki (may
Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about selling musk to a kaafir, knowing
that he is buying it to perfume his idols, or selling an animal to a kaafir
knowing that he is going to kill it in an improper manner in order to eat
it. 

He replied: 

It is haraam to sell in both cases, just as the scholars
said:  If the seller knows that the buyer is going to use the goods for
sinful purposes, it is haraam to sell them to him. Perfuming idols and
killing animals to be eaten without being slaughtered properly are two major
sins, even for them, because the more correct view concerning the kaafirs is
that the rulings of sharee’ah are addressed to them just as they are
addressed to Muslims. So it is not permissible to help them by selling them
things that may help them to do these things. Similar to knowing in this
case is thinking that that will most likely happen. And Allaah knows best.
End quote from al-Fataawa al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kubra, 2/270 

To conclude: it is permissible for a Muslim to open his
business of the days of kaafir festivals, subject to two conditions: 

1 – That he does not sell them anything that can be used for
sin or that will help them to celebrate their festivals. 

2 – That he does not sell to the Muslims anything that will
help them to imitate the kuffaar in these festivals. 

Undoubtedly there are specific goods that are used for these
festivals, such as greetings cards, images, statues, crosses, and certain
types of trees. It is not permissible to sell these things, or to bring them
into the store at all. 

As for other things that may be used for this festival or for
other purposes, then the business owner should do his best to work it out,
and not sell them to people whose situation he knows or who thinks will most
likely use them for haraam purposes or to celebrate that festival, such as
clothes, perfume and foods. 

Should she end her relationship with some kaafir women or use the opportunity for dawah

 

Should she end her relationship with some kaafir women or use the opportunity for da’wah?

I am a woman who corresponds with some European and American women via the internet. We have been exchanging gifts and discussing sewing ideas for two years. I have tried to talk to them about Islam, but I stopped for fear that I do not know enough to call them to Islam and I might make some mistakes. What do you advise me to do – should I cut off my ties with them altogether or should I carry on with the aim of calling them to Islam despite the difficulties – and how should I begin? Is this relationship regarded as friendship, and what is the Islamic ruling on it?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

It is not permissible for a Muslim man or woman to take a
male or female friend who is not a Muslim, because Allaah has forbidden us
to love the kuffaar or take them as close friends and companions, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“You (O Muhammad) will
not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making
friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even
though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their
kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and
strengthened them with Rooh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself.
And He will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to
dwell therein (forever). Allaah is pleased with them, and they with Him.
They are the party of Allaah. Verily, it is the party of Allaah that will be
the successful”

[al-Mujaadilah 58:22] 

“O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians
as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each
other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is
one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon
(polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)”

[al-Maa’idah 5:51] 

“O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitaanah (advisors,
consultants, protectors, helpers, friends) those outside your religion
(pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do
their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has
already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far
worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayaat (proofs, evidences,
verses) if you understand”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:118] 

Secondly: 

It is permissible for a Muslim to correspond with them and to
give them gifts, with the aim of calling them to Islam and showing them its
beauty, subject to the condition that he has sufficient knowledge and faith
which will enable him to call them and protect him against the specious
arguments and devious methods of the people. But the one who is not equipped
to do so should not involve himself in this field, because of the
temptations to which he may be exposed, or the doubts with which he may be
faced and be unable to refute, in which case it would lead to his going
astray and being doomed – Allaah forbid. 

Thirdly: 

If this correspondence is limited to the exchange of sewing
ideas and benefiting from them in this way, without it involving loving
them, regarding them as friends, congratulating them on their festivals etc,
then there is nothing wrong with it in sha Allaah. The Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to interact with the Jews, buying
and selling. 

There is nothing wrong with giving gifts to them, subject to
the condition that they are not in a state of war against Islam and the
Muslims. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Allaah does not forbid
you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on
account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves
those who deal with equity”

[al-Mumtahanah 60:8] 

al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said (p. 1016): 

i.e., Allaah does not forbid kindness, upholding of ties and
good and fair treatment of mushrikeen among your relatives and others, so
long as they are not fighting against you on account of religion or driving
you out of your homes. There is no sin in upholding ties with them, because
there is nothing wrong with upholding ties with them in this case. End
quote. 

Fourthly: 

The means of calling people to Islam are many and various,
such as the following: 

1-    
Direct discussion, in which we
should focus on the merits of Islam, the truth of Tawheed, the importance of
faith, the truthfulness of the message of Muhammad (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him), and then explain the falseness of other religions
and the distortions and alterations that have befallen them.

2-    
Giving books and pamphlets
which speak of Islam and encourage people to enter into it.

3-    
Directing others to sites which
explain Islam and call people to it, and answer the specious arguments of
those who oppose it, and debate with them in the manner that is better. 

The one who calls others to Islam must be equipped with
Islamic knowledge and strong faith, so that he may resist specious arguments
and temptations. Otherwise he should leave this field to others, and fear
Allaah with regard to himself and not expose himself to things that may lead
to doom. The Muslim should beware of letting any love for the kaafir enter
his heart. 

Should he respond to non-Muslims when they wish him a Happy New Year

Should he respond to non-Muslims when they wish him a Happy New Year?

Is it permissible for me to say to non-Muslims “And the same to you” when they wish me a Happy New Year or say Best Wishes?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible to greet or congratulate the kuffaar on
the occasion of Christmas, New Year or any of their other holidays, and it
is not permissible to respond to them when they greet us on those occasions,
because they are not festivals that are prescribed in our religion, and
returning their greeting is an affirmation and approval of them. The Muslim
should be proud of his religion and its rulings, and he should be keen to
call others and convey to them the religion of Allaah, may He be glorified
and exalted. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was
asked about the ruling on greeting the kuffaar on the occasion of Christmas
and how we should respond when they greet us on this occasion. Is it
permissible to go to the parties that they hold on this occasion? 

Is a person sinning if he does any of the things mentioned
without intending to, and he only does it to be nice, or because of or
shyness or embarrassment or other reasons? Is it permissible to imitate them
in that? 

He replied: 

Greeting the kuffaar on the occasion of Christmas or any of
their other religious holidays is haraam according to scholarly consensus,
as was stated by Ibn al-Qayyim in his book Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah,
where he says: 

"Congratulating the kuffaar on the
rituals that belong only to them is haraam by consensus, as is
congratulating them on their festivals and fasts by saying ‘A happy festival
to you’ or ‘May you enjoy your festival,’ and so on. If the one who says
this has been saved from kufr, it is still forbidden. It is like
congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross, or even worse than
that. It is as great a sin as congratulating someone for drinking wine, or
murdering someone, or having illicit sexual relations, and so on. Many of
those who have no respect for their religion fall into this error; they do
not realize the offensiveness of their actions. Whoever congratulates a
person for his disobedience or bid’ah or kufr exposes himself to the wrath
and anger of Allaah." End quote. 

Congratulating the kuffaar on their
religious festivals is haraam to the extent described by Ibn al-Qayyim
because it implies that one accepts or approves of their rituals of kufr,
even if one would not accept those things for oneself. But the Muslim should
not accept the rituals of kufr or congratulate anyone else for them, because
Allaah does not accept any of that at all, as He says (interpretation of the
meaning):

"If
you disbelieve, then verily, Allaah is not in need of
you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by
being believers), He is pleased therewith for you.
 .

[al-Zumar 39:7]

".
. .

 This
day, I have perfected your religion for you,
completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your
religion . .

[al-Maa’idah 5:3] 

So congratulating them is forbidden,
whether they are one’s colleagues at work or
otherwise.

If they greet us on the occasion
of their festivals, we should not respond, because these are not our
festivals, and because they are not
festivals which are acceptable to Allaah. These
festivals are innovations in their religions, and even those which may have
been prescribed formerly have been abrogated by the
religion of Islaam, with which Allaah sent Muhammad
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to the whole of mankind.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

"Whoever
seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be
accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers."

Boycotting the products of kuffaar who are hostile towards Islam

Boycotting the products of kuffaar who are hostile towards Islam

Is It generally permissible to do business with Jews, companies that may have Jewish owners or shareholders, companies that may have franchises in Israel, etc.? Recently many Muslims have been saying that it is haraam to have any business dealings with the Jews whatsoever. To the best of my limited knowledge, even when the Muslims were fighting the Jews in the time of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, he did not forbid trade with them, and when he died his shield or armor was with a Jews as collateral on a loan. Please inform us as to the correct position on this issue.

 

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

Firstly: 

The basic principle is that it is permissible to interact and
do business, buying and selling, with the Jews and others, because it is
proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and
his companions interacted with the Jews of Madeenah, buying and selling,
lending and putting items in pledge, and other kinds of interactions that
are permissible according to our religion. The Jews with whom the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) interacted were people with
whom the Muslims had a treaty; those who broke the treaty were either killed
or expelled, or were left alone if that served some interest. 

But there is evidence which indicates that it is permissible
to buy and sell with kuffaar who are in a state of war against the Muslims. 

Imam al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

Chapter: Buying and selling with the mushrikeen and people
who are at war with Islam. 

Then he narrated (2216) that ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Abi Bakr
(may Allaah be pleased with him) said: We were with the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) then a mushrik man came with some sheep
that he was driving. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “Are they for sale or a gift?” He said: “For sale.” So he bought
a sheep from him. 

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Sharh
Saheeh Muslim (11/14): 

The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is permissible to
interact with ahl al-dhimmah (non-Muslims living under Muslim rule)
and other kuffaar, so long as the object of the transaction is not haraam,
but it is not permissible for a Muslim to sell weapons or tools of war to
those who are waging war against the Muslims, or anything that helps them to
support their religion. 

Ibn Battaal said: dealing
with the kuffaar is permissible, except for selling things to those who are
at war with the Muslims that may help them against the Muslims. 

It was narrated in al-Majmoo’ (9/432) that there is
scholarly consensus that it is forbidden to sell weapons to people who are
waging war against Muslims. 

The reason for that is obvious, which is that these weapons
will be used to fight the Muslims. 

Secondly:  

There is no doubt that it is prescribed to engage in jihad
against the enemies of Allaah, Jews and others, with our lives and our
wealth. That includes every means that will weaken their economy and cause
them harm. Money is the lifeblood of wars ancient and modern. 

The Muslims in general should cooperate in righteousness and
piety and help the Muslims in all places in ways that will lead them to
prevail and strengthen them and enable them to manifest the symbols of
religion, to practise the teachings of Islam and to implement the rulings of
sharee’ah and carry out hudood punishments, and whatever will lead to their
victory over the kuffaar, Jews, Christians and others. They should strive
their hardest in jihad against the enemies of Allaah with all the means at
their disposal. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “Strive against the mushrikeen with your wealth, your lives and your
tongues (speech).” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2504; classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. 

The Muslims have to help
the mujaahideen as much as they can, and do everything that will strengthen
Islam and the Muslims. They must also strive against the kuffaar in whatever
ways they can, and do everything they can to weaken the kuffaar and the
enemies of Islam. They should not employ them as workers such as typists,
accountants, engineers or servants in any kind of service that gives them
more power to collect the wealth of the Muslims and use it against them. 

Conclusion: 

The one who boycotts the products of the kuffaar who are
waging war against Islam, intending thereby to make manifest the fact that
he does not like or support them, and to weaken their economy, will be
rewarded in sha Allah for this good intention. 

Whoever deals with them on the basis of the principle that it
is permissible to deal with the kuffaar – especially buying things that he
needs – there is no sin on him, in sha Allaah, and that does not affect the
principle of al-wala’ wa’l-bara’ (loyalty and friendship vs. disavowal and
enmity) in Islam. 

The Standing Committee was asked: What is the ruling on
Muslims not cooperating with and not wanting to buy from Muslims, and
preferring to buy from the kuffaar; is this permissible or forbidden? 

They replied: 

The basic principle is
that it is permissible for the Muslim to buy whatever he needs of things
that Allaah has permitted from both Muslims and kaafirs. The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) bought from the Jews, but if a
Muslim turns away from dealing with his fellow Muslim for no good reason –
such as deceit or high prices or bad products – and he prefer to buys from
kaafirs with no reason, that is haraam, because it implies that one is
befriending the kuffaar, approving of them and liking them, and because it
involves reducing the Muslims’ business and preventing them from selling
their goods, if the Muslim takes that as his habit. But if there is a reason
for that, such as those mentioned above, then he should advise his Muslim
brother to give up these faults. If he accepts the advice, then praise be to
Allaah, otherwise he should go to someone else, even if he is a kaafir, if
he is honest and decent in his dealings. 

Buying products from kaafir countries

Buying products from kaafir countries

ma hoqum buying and
selling american products Hi-Tech ones like IBM, DELL, Microsoft

 

Praise be to Allaah.

There is no reason why one should not buy American
products, like any other products which come to the Muslim countries from the kaafir
countries, or deal with the kuffaar for trading purposes, so long as this does not involve
anything that goes against sharee’ah; so long as there is no similar product
available from Muslim countries which would rule out the need for the kaafirs’
products; and so long as buying their products will not give them more strength against
the Muslims. And Allaah knows best.

 

Written by Al-Khudayr.

Are there any kuffaar who love the Muslims and wish them well

Are there any kuffaar who love the Muslims and wish them well?

There are those who claim that the disbelievers love the Muslims and wish the good for them. They may even justify this by realistic relationships with some of them and that they didn’t see but every good from them (which is known). I hope you can rectify this misunderstanding.


Also are their scholars different to the masses in this matter?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah has stated in His Book that the kuffaar bear enmity
towards us and they would not spare any effort to cause us harm, and they
wish us ill, and they will not be pleased until we follow their way. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitaanah (advisors,
consultants, protectors, helpers, friends) those outside your religion
(pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do
their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has
already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far
worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayaat (proofs, evidences,
verses) if you understand.

119. Lo! You are the ones who love them but they love you
not, and you believe in all the Scriptures [i.e. you believe in the Tawraat
(Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), while they disbelieve in your Book, the
Qur’aan]. And when they meet you, they say, ‘We believe.’ But when they are
alone, they bite the tips of their fingers at you in rage. Say: ‘Perish in
your rage. Certainly, Allaah knows what is in the breasts (all the
secrets).’

120. If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some
evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if you remain patient and become
Al-Muttaqoon (the pious — See V.2:2), not the least harm will their cunning
do to you. Surely, Allaah surrounds all that they do”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:118-120] 

“Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with
you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) till
you follow their religion. Say: ‘Verily, the Guidance of Allaah (i.e.
Islamic Monotheism) that is the (only) Guidance.’ And if you (O Muhammad
صلى الله عليه وسلم) were to follow their
(Jews and Christians) desires after what you have received of Knowledge
(i.e. the Qur’aan), then you would have against Allaah neither any Wali
(protector or guardian) nor any helper”

[al-Baqarah 2:120] 

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The words of
Allaah, “Take not as (your) Bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors,
helpers, friends) those outside your religion” mean people other than
you, the followers of other religions. A man’s bitaanah (advisors, friends,
etc) are his closest friends who know about his private affairs. Then he
narrated the report of Ibn Abi Haatim with his isnaad from Ibn
Abi’l-Dahqaanah, who said: It was said to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah
be pleased with him): There is a slave from the people of Heerah who is
literate; why don’t you employ him as a scribe? He said: Then I would have
taken a bitaanah from people other than the believers. Ibn Katheer said:
This report, along with this verse, indicates that it is not permissible to
employ ahl al-dhimmah as scribes in a position of authority over  the
Muslims where they can become acquainted with their private affairs, where
there is the fear that they may disclose them to enemies among ahl al-harb.
Hence Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “since they will not
fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely”.

End quote from Tafseer Ibn Katheer (1/528). 

Al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Allaah, may
He be glorified and exalted, forbids the believers in this verse to take
close friends from among the Jews, Christians and followers of whims and
desires, and to consult them and delegate their affairs to them. … Then
Allaah explains the reason why He forbids being close to them, which is: “since
they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you”, i.e., they will not
stop striving to corrupt you. In other words, even if they do not fight you
openly, they will not stop plotting and planning.  

Then he said: The words of Allaah “Lo! You are the ones
who love them”  mean the hypocrites, as is indicated by the words “And
when they meet you, they say, ‘We believe’”. This was stated by
Abu’l-‘Aaliyah and Muqaatil. Love here refers to good will, i.e. you, O
Muslims, have good will towards them but they do not have good will towards
you because of their hypocrisy. And it was said that what is meant is: you
want them to become Muslim and they want you to become kaafirs. And it was
said that those referred to here are the Jews, and this was the view of the
majority. The word Scriptures here is generic. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: What is
meant is Scriptures, and the Jews believe in some of them, as Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): “And when it is said to them (the Jews),
‘Believe in what Allaah has sent down,’ they say, ‘We believe in what was
sent down to us.’ And they disbelieve in that which came after it”
[al-Baqarah 2:91].  

“And when they meet you, they say, ‘We believe’” i.e.,
in Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and that he is
the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
But when they are alone amongst themselves they bite the tips of their
fingers at you in rage and say to one another: Do you not see how these
people are prevailing and increasing in number? End quote from Tafseer
al-Qurtubi (4/177). 

Al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: What is meant
by the words “Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you
(O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) till you
follow their religion” is:  Neither the Jews nor the Christians will
ever be pleased with you, O Muhammad, so stop trying to please them and seek
the pleasure of your Lord by calling them to that with which Allaah has sent
you of the truth. End quote, Tafseer al-Tabari (1/565). 

Our Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, states that many
of the people of the Book wish that we would embrace kufr, out of envy and
hatred. He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Many of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)
wish that if they could turn you away as disbelievers after you have
believed, out of envy from their ownselves, even after the truth (that
Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم is Allaah’s
Messenger) has become manifest unto them. But forgive and overlook, till
Allaah brings His Command. Verily, Allaah is Able to do all things”

[al-Baqarah 2:109]. 

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Allaah warns
His believing slaves against following the path of the kuffaar of the people
of the Book, and tells them of their enmity towards them, both inward and
outward, and the envy that they feel towards the believers, even though they
are aware of their virtue and the virtue of their Prophet. End quote. 

Allaah says concerning the people of kufr (interpretation of
the meaning): 

“How (can there be such a covenant with them) that when
you are overpowered by them, they regard not the ties, either of kinship or
of covenant with you? With (good words from) their mouths they please you,
but their hearts are averse to you, and most of them are Faasiqoon
(rebellious, disobedient to Allaah)”

[al-Tawbah 9:8]. 

This is how they are; they please the Muslims with their
words, but their hearts are filled with enmity and evil. 

To sum up, even if there are some kuffaar who seem to love
the believers, one of the following three scenarios must apply: 

1 – It is just artificial and outward show with no basis in
reality, as our Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, tells us, and He
knows best what their intentions are and what is in their hearts. 

2 – It happens with the one who has abandoned Islam and has
taken the kuffaar as close friends, and has thus become one of them, as
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And if any amongst you
takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them” [al-Maa'idah 5:51].
Hence they are pleased with him and love him.  

3 – It may be genuine but this is very rare, and what is rare
does not prove anything. It may be due to the kaafir not adhering to his
religion or because of his not caring about religion, as is the case with
many of them nowadays. 

What every Muslim must do is beware – as Allaah has warned
him – of taking the kaafirs as close friends and confidantes and feeling at
ease with them, whether the kaafir appears to be friendly or hostile, and
whether he is sincere in his love or not. This is the established rule
concerning which there can be no debate.  

And Allaah knows best.

Ruling on celebrating Valentine’s Day

Ruling on celebrating Valentine’s Day

What is the ruling on Valentine’s Day?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

Valentine’s
Day is a jaahili Roman festival, which continued to be celebrated until
after the Romans became Christian. This festival became connected with the
saint known as Valentine who was sentenced to death on 14 February 270 CE.
The kuffaar still celebrate this festival, during which immorality and evil
are practised widely. For more details on this celebration, please see:

. 

Secondly: 

It is not
permissible for a Muslim to celebrate any of the festivals of the kuffaar,
because festivals come under the heading of shar’i issues which are to be
based on the sound texts. 

Shaykh
al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Festivals are
part of sharee’ah, clear way and rituals of which Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“To each
among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way”

[al-Maa’idah 5:48] 

“For
every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow”

[al-Hajj
22:67] 

-- such as
the qiblah (direction faced in prayer), prayer and fasting. There is no
difference between their participating in the festival and their
participating in all other rituals. Joining in fully with the festival is
joining in with kufr, and joining in with some of its minor issues is
joining in with some of the branches of kufr. Indeed, festivals are one of
the most unique features that distinguish various religions and among their
most prominent symbols, so joining in with them is joining in with the most
characteristic and prominent symbols of kufr. No doubt joining in with this
may lead to complete kufr.                                                 

Partially
joining in, at the very least, is disobedience and sin. This was indicated
by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he
said: “Every people has its festival and this is our festival.” This is
worse than joining them in wearing the zinaar (a garment that was worn only
by ahl al-dhimmah) and other characteristics of theirs, for those
characteristics are man-made and are not part of their religion, rather the
purpose behind them is simply to distinguish between a Muslim and a kaafir.
As for the festival and its rituals, this is part of the religion which is
cursed along with its followers, so joining in with it is joining in with
something that is a cause of incurring the wrath and punishment of Allaah.
End quote from Iqtida’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/207). 

He also said
(may Allaah have mercy on him): It is not permissible for the Muslims to
imitate them in anything that is uniquely a part of their festivals, whether
it be food, clothing, bathing, lighting fires, refraining from a regular
habit, doing acts of worship or anything else. It is not permissible to give
a feast or to give gifts, or to sell anything that will help them to do that
for that purpose, or to allow children and others to play games that are
part of the festivals, or to wear one’s adornments. 

To conclude:
the Mulsims should not do any of their rituals at the time of their
festivals; rather the day of their festival should be like any other day for
the Muslims. The Muslims should not do anything specific in imitation of
them. End quote from Majmoo al-Fataawa (25/329). 

Al-Haafiz
al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If the Christians have a
festival, and the Jews have a festival, it is only for them, so no Muslim
should join them in that, just as no Muslim should join them in their
religion or their direction of prayer. End quote from Tashabbuh
al-Khasees bi Ahl al-Khamees, published in Majallat al-Hikmah
(4/193) 

The hadeeth
to which Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah referred was narrated by al-Bukhaari
(952) and Muslim (892) from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) who
said: Abu Bakr came in and there were two young girls of the Ansaar with me
who were singing about what had happened to the Ansaar on the day of
Bu’aath. She said: And they were not (professional) singing girls. Abu Bakr
said: “Musical instruments of the shaytaan in the house of the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?!” and that was on
the day of Eid. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said: “O Abu Bakr, every people has a festival and this is our
festival.” 

Abu Dawood
(1134) narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to
Madeenah, they had two days when they would play. He said: “What are these
two days?” They said: “We used to play on these days during the
Jaahiliyyah.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: “Allaah has given you instead of them two days that are
better than them: the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr.” This hadeeth
was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. 

This
indicates that festivals are among the characteristics by which nations are
distinguished, and it is not permissible to celebrate the festivals of the
ignorant and the mushrikeen (polytheists). 

The scholars
have issued fatwas stating that it is haraam to celebrate Valentine’s Day. 

1 –Shaykh
Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: 

In recent
times the celebration of Valentine’s Day has become widespread, especially
among female students. It is a Christian festival where people dress
completely in red, including clothes and shoes, and they exchange red
flowers. We hope that you can explain the ruling on celebrating this
festival, and what your advice is to Muslims with regard to such matters;
may Allaah bless you and take care of you. 

He replied: 

Celebrating
Valentine’s Day is not permissible for a number of reasons.  

1-    
It is an innovated festival for
which there is no basis in Islam.

2-    
It promotes love and
infatuation.

3-    
It calls for hearts to be
preoccupied with foolish matters that are contrary to the way of the
righteous salaf (may Allaah be pleased with them). 

It is not
permissible on this day to do any of the things that are characteristic of
this festival, whether that has to do with food, drinks, clothing,
exchanging gifts or anything else. 

The Muslim
should be proud of his religion and should not be a weak character who
follows every Tom, Dick and Harry. I ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from
all temptations, visible and invisible, and to protect us and guide us. 

End quote
from Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (16/199) 

2 – The
Standing Committee was asked: Some people celebrate Valentine’s Day on the
fourteenth of February every year. They exchange gifts of red roses and wear
red clothes and congratulate one another. Some bakeries make red coloured
sweets and draw hearts on them, and some stores advertise products that are
especially for this day. What is your opinion on the following: 

1-    
Celebrating this day

2-    
Buying things from the stores
on this day

3-    
Storekeepers who are not
celebrating it selling things that may be given as gifts to people who are
celebrating it? 

They
replied: 

The clear
evidence of the Qur’aan and Sunnah – and the consensus of the early
generations of this ummah – indicates that there are only two festivals in
Islam: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Any other festivals that have to do with
a person, a group, an event or anything else are innovated festivals, which
it is not permissible for Muslims to observe, approve of or express joy on
those occasions, or to help others to celebrate them in any way, because
that is transgressing the sacred limits of Allaah, and whoever transgresses
the sacred limits of Allaah has wronged himself. If the fabricated festival
is also a festival of the kuffaar, then the sin is even greater, because
this is imitating them and it is a kind of taking them as close friends, and
Allaah has forbidden the believers to imitate them and take them as close
friends in His Holy Book. And it is proven that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of
them.” Valentine’s Day comes under this heading because it is an idolatrous
Christian festival, so it is not permissible for a Muslim who believes in
Allaah and the Last Day to observe it or approve of it or congratulate
people on it. Rather he has to ignore it and avoid it, in obedience to
Allaah and His Messenger, and so as to keep away from the causes that incur
the wrath and punishment of Allaah. It is also haraam for the Muslim to help
people to celebrate this or any other haraam festival by supplying any kind
of food or drink, or buying or selling or manufacturing or giving or
advertising etc., because all of that is cooperating in sin and
transgression and is disobedience towards Allaah and His Messenger
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning): 

“Help you
one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but
do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily,
Allaah is Severe in punishment”

[al-Maa’idah 5:2] 

The Muslim
must adhere to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah in all his affairs,
especially at times of fitnah when evil is widespread. He should be smart
and avoid falling into the misguidance of those who have earned Allaah’s
anger and who have gone astray, and the evildoers who have no fear of Allaah
and who do not have any pride in being Muslims. The Muslim must turn to
Allaah and seek His guidance and remain steadfast in following it, for there
is no Guide except Allaah and no one can make a person steadfast but Him.
And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace
upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote. 

3 – Shaykh
Ibn Jibreen (may Allaah preserve him) was asked: 

Among our
young men and women it has become common to celebrate Valentine’s Day, which
is named after a saint who is venerated by the Christians, who celebrate it
every year on February 14, when they exchange gifts and red roses, and they
wear red clothes. What is the ruling on celebrating this day and exchanging
gifts? 

He replied: 

Firstly: it
is not permissible to celebrate these innovated festivals, because it is an
innovation for which there is no basis in Islam. It comes under the heading
of the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), according to
which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it
will have it rejected.” 

Secondly: it
involves imitating the kuffaar and copying them by venerating that which
they venerate and respecting their festivals and rituals, and imitating them
in something that is part of their religion. In the hadeeth it says:
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” 

Thirdly: it
results in evils and haraam things such as wasting time, singing, music,
extravagance, unveiling, wanton display, men mixing with women, women
appearing before men other than their mahrams, and other haraam things, or
things that are a means that leads to immorality. That cannot be excused by
the claim that this is a kind of entertainment and fun. The one who is
sincere towards himself should keep away from sin and the means that lead to
it. 

And he
said: 

Based on
this, it is not permissible to sell these gifts and roses, if it is known
that the purchaser celebrates these festivals or will give these things as
gifts on those days, so that the seller will not be a partner of the one who
does those innovations. And Allaah knows best. End quote. 

Accepting a gift with strings attached from a non-Muslim

Accepting a gift with strings attached from a non-Muslim

I am a Muslim student studying in America. We are planning to build an Islamic center in the town where I am staying. The university has donated the land where the center is to be built, but they have stipulated a number of conditions in the contract according to which we may get the land and build our center on it. This has made some of the brothers object to accepting this land.


 These conditions include the following: 


1- That the administration of the center be subject to state and university laws.


2- That the university has the right to take back its gift and resume ownership of the land.


3- That the center should not be only for Muslims, rather it should be for Muslims and others.


Is it permissible to accept this land under these conditions?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

If the matter is as described, then it is not permissible to
accept this gift, because of the evil consequences which will result from
implementation of these conditions, such as the subjection of the center to
university laws and regulations, which are unknown to the recipients and
some of which may go against Islam. The same applies to the subjection of
the center to state laws; it is well known that some of their laws go
against Islam. Similarly, their stipulation that the center should be for
Muslims and others, such as Jews, which means that the Muslims will be
building a center in which Christian and Jewish rituals will be observed.
This will cause many problems. They have also stipulated that the giver has
the right to take back the gift and ownership of the land will revert to the
university, and other stipulations mentioned in the contract. This is also
contrary to Islamic sharee’ah. 

And Allaah is the Source of strength. 

 

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 16/178-179.

 

 

It is not permissible to congratulate the kuffaar on their festivals in any way whatsoever

It is not permissible to congratulate the kuffaar on their festivals in any way whatsoever

What is the ruling on eating the food (rice, meat, chicken or cake) that is given to us by a Christian friend that he made for his birthday or for Christmas or the Christian New Year? What is your opinion on congratulating him by saying, “Insha Allaah you will continue to do well this year” so as to avoid saying Kull ‘aam wa antum bi khayr (approx. “season’s greetings”) or “Happy New Year” etc?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not
permissible for a Muslim to eat things that the Jews and Christians make on
their festivals, or what they give him as a gift on their festivals, because
that is cooperating with them and joining in with them in this evil, 

It is not
permissible for him to congratulate them on their festivals in any way
whatsoever, because that implies approval of their festival and not
denouncing them, and helping them to manifest their symbols and propagate
their innovation, and sharing their happiness during their festivals, which
are innovated festivals that are connected to false beliefs that are not approved of in Islam

Is it permissible to intercede for his classmate who cheated in the exam and was banned from that course

Is it permissible to intercede for his classmate who cheated in the exam and was banned from that course?

We have a classmate in our year who is not Muslim, and he cheated on one of the exams, and the teacher punished him by banning him from that subject. Is it permissible for us to help him by asking the teacher to be lenient with him?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

Cheating in exams is haraam, like any other kind of
cheating. 

The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas was asked: What is
the ruling on students cheating in tests at school? 

They replied: The hadeeth “The one who cheats us is not one
of us” is saheeh, and it is general in meaning; it includes cheating in
buying and selling, in giving advice, in contracts and covenants, in matters
of trust, and in exams in schools and colleges and the like, whether that
involves plagiarism, copying from another student, whispering answers to
them or writing answers and passing them to them. End quote from Fataawa
al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (12/200). 

Secondly: 

It is prescribed to punish and discipline the one who cheats
as the university sees fit, such as banning him from completing the exam or
banning him from that subject, so as to close the door to this haraam action
which leads to weakness, backwardness, promotion of those who do not deserve
to be promoted and appointment of people to positions for which they are not
qualified. The least that the student who cheats in his tests deserves is to
be be failed and banned from the subject in which he cheated. How can he be
given a grade that he does not deserve, and how can he advance ahead of
other students, when he deserves to fail? 

Based on this, you should not intercede with the teacher for
this student. Perhaps he will benefit from this punishment and will not do
such a thing again, and perhaps others will benefit too. But if this student
did not cheat at all, rather he merely tried to cheat, and that is not his
usual habit, and he has shown signs of regret and has resolved not to do
such a thing again in the future, then there is nothing wrong with you
interceding with the teacher so that the punishment may be waived. 

Thirdly: 

The fact that this student is not a Muslim does not mean that
you cannot intercede for him in principle. It is proven that Umm Haani’ bint
Abi Taalib put a kaafir man under her protection on the day of the Conquest
of Makkah, so that he would not be killed, and the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to her: “We grant protection to the
one to whom you granted protection, O Umm Haani’.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari
(3171) and Muslim (336). 

This was intercession on her part for that kaafir man, so
that he would not be killed, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) approved of it. Similarly, ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan granted
protection to a man who had apostatized, then he came repenting and turning
back to Islam, and the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) granted him protection. Narrated by Abu Dawood (4385), classed as
saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. 

This is something that demonstrates the tolerance of Islam,
and the keenness of its followers to seek what is good and beneficial for
all people, which will motivate them to think about this true religion and
encourage them to enter it. This is the goal that leads the Muslim to treat
kaafirs well and uphold ties with them, so that Allaah might open their
hearts to Islam and save them from the darkness of kufr and shirk. 

It is clear that this kindness does not mean that one loves
them and takes them as close friends, because that is not permissible in the
case of a kaafir, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians
as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each
other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is
one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon
(polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)”

[al-Maa’idah 5:51] 

“You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in
Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and
His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons
or their brothers or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith
in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rooh (proofs, light and true
guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under
which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allaah is pleased with them,
and they with Him. They are the party of Allaah. Verily, it is the party of
Allaah that will be the successful”

They were offered food at Christmas – what should they do

They were offered food at Christmas – what should they do?

What should one do if one's neighbour serve one with chrismas food on the 25th of December. Should we pour away the food or should we reject it even if rejecting it can cause misunderstanding with them.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

It is permissible for a Muslim to accept gifts from the
kuffaar or to give them gifts, especially if they are relatives. The
evidence for that is as follows: 

(a)

It was narrated that Abu Humayd al-Saa’idi said: We went on
campaign with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
to Tabook, and the king of Aelia gave the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) a white mule and a cloak, and he (the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) approved of him as the ruler of
his land. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (2990). 

(b) It was narrated that Katheer ibn ‘Abbaas ibn ‘Abd
al-Muttalib said: ‘Abbaas said: I was present with the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the day of Hunayn. Abu
Sufyaan ibn al-Haarith ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib and I stayed close to the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and did
not leave him. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) was riding a white mule of his, that had been given to him by
Farwah ibn Nufaathah al-Judhaami. Narrated by Muslim (1775).  

It was proven that the Sahaabah also (accepted gifts from the
kuffaar) with the permission of the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) during his lifetime. The mother of Asma’ bint Abi Bakr –
who was a mushrikah – visited her daughter and the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave permission to Asma’ (may Allaah be
pleased with her) to uphold ties of kinship with her. And it is proven that
‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab gave a suit to his brother who was a mushrik. Both
hadeeth are narrated in al-Saheehayn.  

To sum up: it is permissible for a Muslim to give gifts to a
kaafir and to accept gifts from him. 

Secondly: 

With regard to gifts given on their festivals, it is not
permissible to give or accept them, because that is venerating their
festivals and expressing approval of them and helping them in their kufr. 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him)
said: 

If someone gives a gift to the Muslims on these festivals and
that is contrary to his habit at all other times apart from this festival,
then his gift is not to be accepted, especially if the gift is something
that is used to imitate them, such as giving candles and the like at
Christmas, or giving eggs, milk and lambs on Maundy Thursday, which comes at
the end of their fast (Lent).  

Similarly, no gift should be given to any of the Muslims on
these festivals because of the festival, especially if it is something that
is used to imitate them, as we have stated above. 

The Muslim should not sell the things that Muslims could use
to imitate them on that festival, such as food, clothing and the like,
because that is helping them in doing evil. 

Iqtida’ Siraat al-Mustaqeem, p.
227. 

And he (may Allaah have mercy on him) also said: 

As for the Muslim selling them things that they use for their
festivals, such as food, clothing, herbs and the like, or giving those
things to them, that is a kind of helping them to celebrate their haraam
festival. This is based on the principle that it is not permissible to sell
to the kaafirs grapes or juice that they can use for wine, and it is not
permissible to sell them weapons with which they can fight the Muslims. 

Iqtida’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem,
p. 229 

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said concerning
the festivals of the People of the Book: 

Just as it is not permissible for them to celebrate them
openly, it is not permissible for the Muslims to help them in that or attend
with them, according to the consensus of the scholars. This was stated
clearly by the fuqaha’ who follow the four imams, in their books. 

Then he (may Allaah have mercy on him) quoted the words of
the imams of the madhhabs and the prominent scholars.

 Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah
(3/1245-1250). 

Thirdly: 

It is not permissible for the Muslim to take religious
matters lightly. He must practise his religion openly. They practise their
religion openly and display its symbols during these festivals; we should
also openly reject their gifts and refuse to join them and help them in
that. This is one of the teachings of our religion

Accepting a gift from a kaafir on the day of his festival

Accepting a gift from a kaafir on the day of his festival

My neighbour is an American Christian, and she and her family brought me a gift when it was Christmas. I could not refuse the gift, lest she be offended. 


Can I accept this gift, as the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) accepted gifts from kaafirs?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

The basic
principle is that it is permissible to accept gifts from kaafirs, so as to
soften their hearts and make Islam attractive to them, as the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) accepted gifts from some of the
kaafirs, such as the gift of al-Muqawqis etc. 

Al-Bukhaari
gave a chapter in his Saheeh the title of: Accepting gifts from the
mushrikeen. He (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah
have mercy on him) said, narrating from the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) migrated
with Saarah and entered a city in which there was a king or a tyrant, and he
said: ‘Give her Haajar (as a gift).’” And the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) was given as a gift a (roast) sheep in
which there was poison. Abu Humayd said: The king of Aylah gave the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) a white mule and a cloak,
and wrote to him. And he mentioned the story of the Jewish woman and her
gift of a poisoned sheep to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him). 

Secondly: 

It is
permissible for a Muslim to give gifts to kaafirs and mushriks, with the aim
of softening their hearts towards Islam, especially if they are relatives or
neighbours. 

 ‘Umar (may
Allaah be pleased with him) gave a hullah (suit) to his mushrik brother in
Makkah, as was narrated by al-Bukhaari (2619). 

But it is
not permissible to give a kaafir a gift on the day of one of his festivals,
because that is regarded as approving of or participating in celebration of
the false festival.  

If the gift
is something that will help in celebrating the festival, such as food,
candles and the like, then it is even more haraam, and some of the scholars
are of the view that this is kufr. 

Al-Zayla’i
said in Tabyeen al-Haqaa’iq (6/228): Giving gifts on the occasion of
Nayrooz and Mahrjaan [two non-Islamic Persian festivals] is not permissible,
i.e., giving gifts on these two days is haraam, and is in fact kufr. Abu
Hafs and Kabeer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If a man were to
worship Allaah for fifty years, then on the day of Nayrooz he were to give
an egg as a gift to one of the mushrikeen, intending thereby to venerate
that day, he would have committed kufr and his good deeds would be cancelled
out. The author of al-Jaami’ al-Asghar said: If he gives a gift to
another Muslim on the day of Nayrooz, not intending thereby to venerate that
day, but it is the habit of some people to give gifts on that day, then this
is not regarded as kufr. But he should not do it on that particular day; he
should do it before or after, so that he will not be imitating those people.
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” It says in al-Jaami’
al-Asghar: A man bought something on the day of Nayrooz which he did not
buy before that. If he intended thereby to venerate that day as the
mushrikoon venerate it, then he has committed kufr, but if he wanted to eat
or drink or enjoy himself, then he has not committed kufr. End quote. 

It says in
al-Taaj wa’l-Ikleel (a Maaliki book – 4/319): Ibn al-Qaasim regarded
it as makrooh to give a gift to a Christian on the occasion of his festival,
or to give palm leaves to a Jew on his festivals. End quote. 

It says in
al-Iqnaa’, which is a Hanbali book: It is haraam to attend the
festivals of the Jews and Christians and to sell them things or give them
gifts on the occasion of their festivals. 

Moreover
it is not permissible for a Muslim to give a gift to another Muslim because
of this festival, as stated above when quoting the
Hanafi view. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him)
said: Whoever gives a gift to the Muslims during these festivals unlike what
he usually usually at other times, his gift should not be accepted,
especially if the gift is something that helps in imitating them, such as
giving candles etc at Christmas, or giving eggs, milk and lambs on Maundy
Thursday which comes at the end of their fast (i.e., the end of Lent).
Similarly, no gift should be given to a Muslim at the time of these
festivals because of the festival, especially if it is something that helps
in imitating them, as we have mentioned. End quote from Iqtida’ al-Siraat
al-Mustaqeem (1/227). 

Thirdly: 

With
regard to accepting a gift from a kaafir on the day of his festival, there
is nothing wrong with that, and that is not
regarded as participating in it or approving of it, rather it should be
accepted as an act of kindness, with the aim of softening his heart and
calling him to Islam. Allaah has permitted kindness and fair treatment
towards the kaafir who is not fighting the Muslims, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“Allaah
does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not
against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily,
Allaah loves those who deal with equity”

[al-Mumtahanah 60:8] 

But kindness
and fair treatment does not mean friendship and love, because it is not
permitted to take a kaafir as a friend or love him. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“You (O
Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day,
making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad),
even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their
kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and
strengthened them with Rooh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself.
And He will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to
dwell therein (forever). Allaah is pleased with them, and they with Him.
They are the party of Allaah. Verily, it is the party of Allaah that will be
the successful”

[al-Mujaadilah 58:22] 

“O you
who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and
polytheists) as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have
disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth”

[al-Mumtahanah 60:1] 

“O you
who believe! Take not as (your) Bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors,
helpers, friends) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and
hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They
desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths,
but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to
you the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand”

[Aal
‘Imraan 3:118] 

“And
incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you, and
you have no protectors other than Allaah, nor you would then be helped”

[Hood 12:113] 

“O you
who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends,
protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any
amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them.
Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists
and wrongdoers and unjust)”

[al-Maa’idah 5:51] 

and there is
other evidence which indicates that it is haraam to take a kaafir as a
friend or love him. 

Shaykh
al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: As for accepting
a gift from them on the day of their festival, we have quoted above that
‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib was brought a gift on the occasion of Nayrooz and he
accepted it. 

Ibn Abi
Shaybah narrated that a woman asked ‘Aa’ishah: We have some wet nurses from
among the Magians, and they have a festival on which they bring us gifts.
She said: As for what is slaughtered for that day, do not eat it, but eat
from their vegetables. 

It was
narrated from Abu Barzah that he had some Magian neighbours who used to
bring him gifts on the occasion of Nayrooz and Mahrjaan, and he used to say
to his family: Whatever is of fruits, eat it, and whatever is otherwise,
reject it. 

All of this
indicates that the festival does not make it forbidden to accept their
gifts, rather the ruling is the same whether it is their festival or not,
because that does not involve helping them with the symbols of their kufr. 

Then he
pointed out that meat slaughtered by a kitaabi (Jew or Christian) is halaal
except that which is slaughtered for their festivals, which it is not
permissible to eat. He said (may Allaah have mercy on him): It is only
permissible to eat of the food of the people of the Book, during their
festivals that which has not been slaughtered for the festival, whether it
is bought or received as a gift. As for meat slaughtered by the Magians, the
ruling on that is well known, and it is haraam according to all. As for that
which is slaughtered by the people of the Book for their festivals  and that
which they slaughter as an act of worship to draw close to anything other
than Allaah, as the Muslims offer sacrifices as an act of worship to draw
closer to Allaah, namely as that which they sacrifice to the Messiah, two
views have been narrated from Ahmad concerning that, the most well known of
which in his texts is that it is not permissible to eat it even if the name
of something other than Allaah has not been mentioned over it. The
prohibition on that was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah and ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar …
End quote from Iqtida’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/251). 

Conclusion:
It is permissible for you to accept the gift from your Christian neighbour
on the day of their festival, subject to the following conditions: 

1 – This
gift should not be meat that has been slaughtered for the festival. 

2 – It
should not be something that may be used to help in imitating them on the
day of their festival, such as candles, eggs, palm leaves etc. 

3 – You
should explain to your children the belief in al-wala’ wa’l-bara’ (loyalty
and friendship vs. disavowal and enmity), lest a love of this festival or a
fondness for the giver be instilled in their hearts. 

4 – The gift
should be accepted with the aim of softening her heart and calling her to
Islam, not with friendship and love. 

If the gift
is something that it is not permissible to accept, then the refusal to
accept it should be accompanied by an explanation of why it is being
refused, such as saying, “We only refused your gift because it is meat that
was slaughtered for the festival, and it is not permissible for us to eat
it, or these things are only accepted by those who are taking part in the
celebrations, and we do not celebrate this festival, because it is not part
of our religion, and it involves beliefs that we do not believe in” and so
on, which is a starting point for calling them to Islam and explaining the
danger of the kufr that they follow. 

The Muslim
should be proud of his religion and apply its rulings, and he should not
give them up out of shyness or to impress anyone, for Allaah is more
deserving of us feeling shy before Him. 

Can a Muslim allow a non-Muslim guest to observe the rituals of kufr in his home

Can a Muslim allow a non-Muslim guest to observe
the rituals of kufr in his home?

If a non-Muslim visitor comes
and lives in your home for a few days is it permissible that the Muslim host allows
him/her to perform their prayers and rituals according to their own religion? Will the
Muslim host be considered a sinner in this case as some of the prayers and rituals of
other religions may not conform to Islamic beliefs?

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Can a Muslim allow a non-Muslim guest to observe
the rituals of kufr in his home?

We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad Saalih
al-‘Uthaymeen, who answered as follows:

Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible for you to
willingly consent to that, because this is kufr and the person has no religion, as Allaah
says (interpretation of the meanings):

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it
will never be accepted of him” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]

“And it has already been revealed to you in the Book
(this Qur’ân) that when you hear the Verses of Allâh being denied and mocked at,
then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that” [al-Nisa’
4:140]

Also, this visitor is humiliating you by doing this, because
he knows that you do not like it, so you should not let him humiliate you.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

 

Can a Muslim allow a non-Muslim guest to observe the rituals of kufr in his home

Can a Muslim allow a non-Muslim guest to observe
the rituals of kufr in his home?

If a non-Muslim visitor comes
and lives in your home for a few days is it permissible that the Muslim host allows
him/her to perform their prayers and rituals according to their own religion? Will the
Muslim host be considered a sinner in this case as some of the prayers and rituals of
other religions may not conform to Islamic beliefs?

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Can a Muslim allow a non-Muslim guest to observe
the rituals of kufr in his home?

We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad Saalih
al-‘Uthaymeen, who answered as follows:

Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible for you to
willingly consent to that, because this is kufr and the person has no religion, as Allaah
says (interpretation of the meanings):

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it
will never be accepted of him” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]

“And it has already been revealed to you in the Book
(this Qur’ân) that when you hear the Verses of Allâh being denied and mocked at,
then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that” [al-Nisa’
4:140]

Also, this visitor is humiliating you by doing this, because
he knows that you do not like it, so you should not let him humiliate you.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

 

Convert attending his brother’s wedding party

Convert attending
his brother’s wedding party

Alhamdulillah, I am a convert to Islam. My
family are still, however, christian. My brother is getting married and this involves a
religious service in a church followed by a meal. I have told my family that I cannot
partake in the  religious service. I wish to know if Islam allows me to attend the
meal with my wife and child, where some alcohol may be served to some christians with the
meal. If it is not allowed then what advice can you give me. Please give the answer with
evidence.

The issue is of great importance since I have been estranged from my father (by his
choice) for 7 years and I am trying to invite them to Islam.

Jazakallah khayran

 

Praise be to Allaah.

1. We praise Allaah for having guided you to Islam and we
ask Him to complete His favour by helping you to be steadfast and by guiding your family
to Islam.

You are doing the right thing by not attending the religious service in
the church, because taking part in religious proceedings of non-Muslims is, at the very
least, a major sin, and could lead to kufr.

With regard to attending your brother’s wedding party where alcohol
will be served with the food, we advise you not to take part as you say. Attending such
parties is haraam and is a major sin. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “…
then after the remembrance sit not in the company of those people who are the zaalimoon
(polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.)” [al-An’aam 6:68].

The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand [by taking
action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with
his heart [by feeling that it is wrong] – and that is the weakest of faith.” (Narrated
by Muslim, 49).

When you take part in such events, you will not be able to
change the evil actions with your hand or your tongue – in most cases – so all
you can do is change it with your heart, and you cannot be really doing so if you are
taking part.

The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him not sit at a table where wine
is being drunk.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 14241, and classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Irwaa’ al-Ghaleel, 7/6).

The reason why it is forbidden – as it appears – is that sitting
with them implies that you condone the evil action.

4. Apart from the fact that these things are forbidden, if the brother
makes these compromises, this will weaken his efforts to call his family to Islam. The
more sincere the daa’iyah is towards himself and to His Lord, the stronger his
efforts to call others will be. But if he compromises and vacillates, this will make him
look less trustworthy in the eyes of others.

Smiling at a kaafir with the aim of softening his heart and calling him to Islam

Smiling at a kaafir with the aim of softening his heart and calling him to Islam

In view of the ahaadeeth of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about dealing with the kuffaar, not initiating the greeting with them, and not making room for them on the street, as in the hadeeth “Push them to the narrowest part of (the road)”, can we deduce by analogy with that that it is not permissible to smile at them? In other words, is it permissible to smile at the kuffaar? If it is not permissible, then how can we respond to those who said that it comes under the heading of calling them to Allaah and inviting them to Islam?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

There are abundant Islamic texts which indicate that it is
haraam to befriend and love the kuffaar or take them as close friends, and
honour them and show friendship to them, or be the first to greet them. But
exceptions are made in some cases when that is for a purpose or need, such
as greeting them with words other than salaam when necessary, or treating
them kindly when calling them to Islam. That includes smiling at them. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was
asked: What is the ruling on mixing with the kuffaar and treating them
kindly in the hope that they will become Muslim? 

He replied: Undoubtedly the Muslim should hate the enemies of
Allaah and disavow them, because this is the way of the Messengers and their
followers. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in
Ibraaheem (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people:
Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah, we
have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and
hatred for ever until you believe in Allaah Alone”

[al-Mumtahanah 60:4] 

“You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in
Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and
His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons
or their brothers or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith
in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rooh (proofs, light and true
guidance) from Himself”

[al-Mujaadilah 58:22] 

Based on this, it is not permissible for the Muslim to feel
any love in his heart towards the enemies of Allaah who are in fact his
enemies too. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies
(i.e. disbelievers and polytheists) as friends, showing affection towards
them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth”

[al-Mumtahanah 60:1] 

But there is nothing wrong with a Muslim treating them kindly
in the hope that they will become Muslims and believers, because that comes
under the heading of softening their hearts towards Islam. But if he
despairs of them becoming Muslim, then he should treat them as they deserve
to be treated. This is discussed in detail in the books of the scholars,
especially Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah by Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah
have mercy on him). End quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
(may Allaah have mercy on him) (3/13). 

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Zaad
al-Ma’aad (2/424), concerning greeting the kuffaar first: A group (of
scholars) said it is permissible to greet them first if that is for a
purpose, such as a need or a fear of harm, or because they are relatives, or
for any other reason. End quote. 

It says in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (25/168): The
Hanafis are of the view that it is makrooh to greet ahl al-dhimmah with
salaam, because that implies respecting them, but there is nothing wrong
with greeting a dhimmi if one needs something from him, because in that case
the salaam is because of the need, not in order to show respect. And it is
permissible to say, “Peace be upon those who follow true guidance.”
According to the Shaafa’is it is haraam to initiate the greeting of salaam
with a dhimmi, but one may greet him in some other way, such as saying “May
Allaah guide you” or “may Allaah bless your morning,” if he needs something
from him. Otherwise he should not be the first to show any kind of respect
to him, because that is an expression of friendship and love. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): “You (O Muhammad) will not find any
people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those
who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad