Alliance and Amity, Disavowal and Enmity
Part 3
26721: Principles and
guidelines for Muslims' relations with
non-Muslims
Question:
We want to know in detail how Muslims regard
non-Muslims, and how they should deal with them
according to Islamic sharee'ah?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
1- Islam is the religion of mercy and
justice.
2- Muslims are commanded to call non-Muslims
to Islam with wisdom and beautiful preaching and
by debating in a manner that is better. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And argue not with the people of the
Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in
(a way) that is better (with good words and in
good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism
with His Verses), except with such of them as do
wrong"
[al-`Ankaboot 29:46]
3- Allaah does not accept any religion other
than Islam. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And whoever seeks a religion other than
Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in
the Hereafter he will be one of the losers"
[Aal `Imraan 3:85]
4- The Muslims should give the kaafirs the
opportunity to hear the words of Allaah. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And if anyone of the Mushrikoon
(polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in
the Oneness of Allaah) seeks your protection
then grant him protection so that he may hear
the Word of Allaah (the Qur'aan) and then escort
him to where he can be secure"
[al-Tawbah 9:6]
5- The Muslims should differentiate between
different kinds of kaafirs in their dealings
with them. They should make peace with those who
make peace, and wage war against those who wage
war, and wage jihad against those who stand in
the way of spreading the message of Islam and
causing it to prevail of earth.
6- With regard to matters of love and hate in
the heart, the Muslims' attitude towards
non-Muslims is based on the latter's attitude
towards Allaah. If they worship Allaah and do
not associate anything in worship with Him, then
they love them. If they associate others in
worship with Him, or disbelieve in Him, or
worship others alongside Him, or are hostile
towards His religion and hate the truth, then it
is obligatory to hate them in our hearts.
7- Hating them in our hearts does not mean
that we should oppress or mistreat them under
any circumstances, because Allaah said to His
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him), describing what his attitude should be
towards the People of the Book:
"and I am commanded to do justice among
you. Allaah is our Lord and your Lord. For us
our deeds and for you your deeds"
[al-Shoora 42:15 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
even though he is a Muslim and they are
following Judaism or Christianity.
8- The Muslims believe that it is not
permissible, under any circumstances whatsoever,
for a Muslim to mistreat a non-Muslim who is not
hostile towards Islam; so the Muslim should not
commit aggression against him, or frighten him,
or terrorize him, or steal his wealth, or
embezzle him, or deprive him of his rights, or
deny him his trust, or deny him his wages, or
withhold from him the price of his goods when
buying from him or withhold the profits of a
partnership if he is in a business partnership
with him.
9- The Muslims believe that it is obligatory
upon the Muslims to honour treaties or
agreements made with a non-Muslim party. If a
Muslim has agreed to their conditions when
seeking permission to enter their country (i.e.,
a visa) and has promised to adhere to that, then
it is not permissible for him to commit mischief
in their land, to betray anyone, to steal, to
kill or to do any destructive action, and so on.
10-The Muslims believe that in the case of
non-Muslims who wage war against them and drive
them out of their homes, or help others to do
so, it is permissible for Muslims to shed the
blood of these non-Muslims and confiscate their
wealth.
11-The Muslims believe that it is permissible
for a Muslim to treat kindly those non-Muslims
who are not hostile, whether by offering
financial help, feeding the hungry, giving them
loans if needed or interceding with regard to
permissible matters, or speaking kindly to them
or returning their greetings, and so on. 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]
12-There is no reason why Muslims should not
cooperate with non-Muslims with regard to
establishing truth and combating falsehood, to
support the oppressed and ward off danger from
mankind, such as cooperating to fight pollution
or to protect the environment, or to combat
epidemic diseases and so on.
13-The Muslims believe that there are
differences between Muslims and non-Muslims in
specific rulings such as diyah (blood money),
inheritance, marriage, guardianship in marriage,
entering Makkah etc., as is explained in the
books of Islamic fiqh (jurisprudence). This is
based on the commands of Allaah and His
Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him). We cannot regard as equal
one who believes in Allaah alone with no partner
or associate and one who disbelieves in Allaah
or one who disbelieves in Allaah and joins
others in worship with Him, or who turns away
from the true religion.
14-Muslims are commanded to call people to
Allaah in all the Muslim countries and other
lands. They must convey the true religion of
Allaah to the world and build mosques in all
parts of the world, and send daa'iyahs (callers)
to non-Muslim countries and invite their leaders
to enter the religion of Allaah.
15-The Muslims believe that other people who
are following other religions are not following
any true religion, so the Muslims do not allow
others to send missionaries to build churches in
Muslim countries.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Is then he who is a believer like him who
is a Faasiq (disbeliever and disobedient to
Allaah)? Not equal are they"
[al-Sajdah 32:18]
Whoever thinks that Islam is equal to other
religions is making a serious mistake. But the
Muslim scholars have opened the door to debate
with non-Muslims and allow the opportunity to
discuss with and listen to non-Muslims and
explain the truth to them.
Finally, Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): O people of the
Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word
that is just between us and you, that we worship
none but Allaah (Alone), and that we associate
no partners with Him, and that none of us shall
take others as lords besides Allaah.' Then, if
they turn away, say: `Bear witness that we are
Muslims'"
[Aal `Imraan 3:64]
"And had the people of the Scripture (Jews
and Christians) believed, it would have been
better for them"
[Aal `Imraan 3:110].
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
(www.islam-qa.com)
5219: Ruling on taking part
in some annual celebrations
Question:
What is the Islamic ruling on taking part in
some annual celebrations and occasions, such at
the International Day of the Family, the
International Day for Disabled People, the
International Year of Older Persons. Also what
is the ruling on taking part in some religious
celebrations such as al-Israa' wa'l-Mi'raaj (the
anniversary of the Prophet's Night Journey and
ascent into the heavens), al-Mawlid al-Nabawi
(Prophet's Birthday) and al-Hijrah (anniversary
of the Prophet's migration), by preparing
leaflets or holding lectures and Islamic
conferences for the purposes of reminding and
exhorting the people (about their religion)?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It seems to me that these days which are
repeated every year and the gatherings held to
mark them are innovated festivals and ways for
which Allaah did not reveal any authority. The
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "Beware of newly-invented matters,
for every newly-invented matter is an innovation
(bid'ah) and every innovation is a
going-astray." (Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood,
al-Tirmidhi and others).
He also said: "Every people has its festival
(`Eid) and this is our festival." (Agreed upon)
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have
mercy on him) spoke at length in his book
Iqtidaa' al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem li
Mukhaalifat Ashaab al-Jaheem (The
Requirements of the Straight Path in Differing
from the People of Hell), condemning the
innovated occasions and festivals that have no
basis in the pure Sharee'ah and the ways in
which they corrupt people's religious
commitment. Most if not all of the people have
no understanding of the damage caused by this
kind of bid'ah, especially when it has to do
with acts of worship, but those who are blessed
with insight and understanding realize something
of the damage that it can do.
What people have to do is to follow the
Qur'aan and Sunnah, even when they do not
entirely understand the issues of benefit and
harm that are involved.
Whoever innovates something on a certain day,
such as observing a fast, performing a prayer,
preparing certain foods, putting up decorations,
spending on his family and so on, will be
affected by this and it will create some kind of
belief in his heart, because he must believe
that this day is better than other days, since
if he and those who follow him did not have this
belief in their hearts, they would not make the
effort to do these things.
"Celebration" or "festival" involves three
things: place, time and gathering, in any of
which things may be innovated.
With regard to time, there are three kinds of
innovation, which may overlap with issues of
place and actions.
The first kind is a day which is not
venerated at all in Sharee'ah, which was not
mentioned by the Salaf and nothing happened on
that day to indicate that it should be held in
any kind of esteem.
The second kind is a day on which some event
happened that also happened on other days, but
that does not mean that it should be regarded as
a special occasion, and the Salaf did not
venerate this day.
Whoever does such a thing is imitating the
Christians, who took the days of events in the
life of Jesus (peace be upon him) as festivals,
and the Jews. But festivals are part of
Sharee'ah, and whatever has been prescribed by
Allaah should be followed, but whatever has been
innovated in the religion is not a part of
Islam.
Similarly, the innovation followed by some
people (in celebrating the Prophet's birthday),
whether it is done in imitation of the Christian
celebration of the birth of Jesus, peace be upon
him, or it is done out of love and respect for
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him), is not something which was done by
the Salaf, even though the reason for doing it
was there and there was nothing to stop them
doing it if it was good…
The third kind is days which are venerated by
Sharee'ah, such as the day of `Aashooraa', the
day of `Arafaah and the two Eid days, etc., but
the people who follow their own desires innovate
things that they think are good but which in
fact are wrong and are not allowed _ such as
when the Raafidis go without water and express
grief on the day of `Aashooraa' etc. These are
innovated matters which were not prescribed by
Allaah or by His Messenger (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) or by any of the Salaf or
the members of the household of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
As regards holding regular gatherings,
whether weekly, monthly or annually, apart from
the gatherings that are prescribed in Sharee'ah,
this implies that one is making them as
important as the gatherings for the five daily
prayers, Jumu'ah, Eid and Hajj, and this is a
newly-invented innovation.
The principle in question here is: the
Islamic acts of worship which are repeated at
certain intervals and are thus special
occasions, have been prescribed by Allaah and
are sufficient for mankind. If any other
gatherings are invented in addition to these
gatherings, it means that they are being given a
status equal to that of the occasions prescribed
by Allaah, which leads to the adverse effects
referred to above. This is in contrast to what a
person or a small specialized group may
undertake on their own sometimes.
On the basis of the above: it is not
permissible for the Muslim to take part in these
events which are celebrated regularly every
year, because of their resemblence to the
prescribed Islamic festivals, as explained
above. But if it is a "one-off" event that is
not repeated, and the Muslim can use the
occasion to convey the truth to people, then
there is nothing wrong with that, in sha Allaah.
And Allaah knows best.
Masaa'il wa Rasaa'il by Muhammad al-Mahmoud
al-Najdi, p. 31 (www.islam-qa.com)
22872: Is it prescribed to
boycott innovators in this day and age?
Question:
When is it prescribed to boycott innovators
(followers of bid'ah)? When is it prescribed to
hate for the sake of Allaah? Is it prescribed to
boycott them in this day and age?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
The believer should analyze the situation in
the light of faith and sharee'ah, and ignore his
whims and desires. If his shunning and keeping
away from the innovator will not result in a
greater evil, then it is prescribed, and at the
very least it is Sunnah. Similarly, shunning
those who openly commit sin is at the very least
Sunnah. But if not shunning them will be more
effective because one thinks that calling these
innovators, guiding them to the Sunnah and
teaching them what Allaah has enjoined upon them
will be more effective in guiding them, then he
should not hasten to shun them, but he should
hate them for the sake of Allaah just as he
hates the kaafirs and sinners. But his hatred
for the kuffaar should be greater, whilst also
calling them to Allaah and striving to guide
them, acting in accordance with all the shar'i
evidence. So he should hate the innovator in
accordance with the degree of his innovation, so
long as it does not imply kufr, and he should
hate the sinner in accordance with the degree of
his sin, but he should also love him for the
sake of Allaah in accordance with the degree of
his Islam and faith. From this we know that
shunning depends on the situation.
Conclusion: the most correct approach is to
look at the shar'i interests involved, because
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) shunned some people and not others,
depending on the objectives of Islam. He shunned
Ka'b ibn Maalik and his two companions (may
Allaah be pleased with them) when they stayed
behind from the campaign of Tabook with no
excuse. He shunned them for fifty days, until
they repented and Allaah accepted their
repentance. But he did not shun `Abd-Allaah ibn
Ubayy ibn Salool and a group of those who were
accused of hypocrisy, for shar'i reasons.
The believer looks at what is in the best
interests (of Islam). This does not contradict
the idea of hating the kaafirs, innovators and
sinners for the sake of Allaah and loving the
Muslims for the sake of Allaah. Attention must
be paid to what is in the general interest; if
shunning is better then they should be shunned,
but if the objectives of Islam dictate that
ongoing da'wah efforts should be made rather
than shunning, then that is what should be done,
following the teaching of the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him). And Allaah is
the Source of strength.
Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah li
Samaahat al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have
mercy on him), 9/423. (www.islam-qa.com)
11427: Attending the
festivals of the mushrikeen and congratulating
them
Question:
Is it permissible to attend the celebrations
of Christian festivals and congratulate them?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him)
said: it is not permissible for the Muslims to
attend the festivals of the mushrikeen,
according to the consensus of the scholars whose
words carry weight. The fuqaha' who follow the
four schools of thought have stated this clearly
in their books… Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a
saheeh isnaad from `Umar ibn al-Khattaab that he
said: "Do not enter upon the mushrikeen in their
churches on the day of their festival, for
divine wrath is descending upon them." And `Umar
also said: "Avoid the enemies of Allaah on their
festivals." Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a jayyid
isnaad from `Abd-Allaah ibn `Amr that he said:
"Whoever settles in the land of the non-Arabs
and celebrates their new year and festival and
imitates them until he dies in that state, will
be gathered with them on the Day of
Resurrection."
(Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 1/723-724).
With regard to congratulating them on their
festivals, this has already been answered in
Question no. 947, which we advise you to refer
to.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
(www.islam-qa.com)
12777: Prohibition on
celebrating the festivals of the kuffaar
Question:
Is it permissible for Muslims to take part in
their festivals, such as Christmas?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible for the Muslim to join
the kuffaar in their festivals and to express
joy and happiness on these occasions, or to take
the day off work, whether the occasion is
religious or secular, because this is a kind of
imitating the enemies of Allaah, which is
forbidden, and a kind of co-operating with them
in falsehood. It was proven that the Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of
them." And Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Help you one another in AlBirr and
AtTaqwa (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]
We advise you to refer to the book
Iqtidaa' al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem by Shaykh
al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on
him), for it is very useful on this topic.
[Translator's note: This book is available in
English under the title "The Right Way,"
published by Darussalam, Riyadh].
And Allaah is the source of strength. May
Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family
and companions, and grant them peace.
Standing Committee on Academic Research and
Issuing Fatwas, Fatwa no. 2540.
(www.islam-qa.com)
1130: Ruling on joining in
the kaafir festivals
Question:
I see many "Muslims" joining in Christmas and
other celebrations. Is there any daleel from the
Quran and Sunnah that I can present to them to
show that these are indeed very sinful
practices? Jazakallah khair.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible to join in the kaafir
festivals for the following reasons:
Firstly: because this entails imitating or
resembling them, and "Whoever imitates a people
is one of them." (Narrated by Abu Dawood). This
is a serious warning. `Abd-Allaah ibn al-`Aas
said: Whoever lives in the land of the
mushrikeen and celebrates their Nawrooz (New
Year) and their Mahrajaan (festivals), and
imitates them until he dies, he will be a loser
on the Day of Resurrection.
Secondly: taking part in their festivals is a
kind of befriending them and showing love for
them. 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… "[al-Maa'idah
5:51]
"O you who believe! Take not My enemies and
your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists)
as friends, showing affection towards them"
[al-Mumtahanah 60:1]
Thirdly: festivals are the matter of religion
and beliefs, not the matter of worldly customs,
as is indicated by the hadeeth: "Every nation
has its Eid, and this is our Eid." Their Eid or
festival reflects their corrupt beliefs of Kufr
and Shirk.
Fourthly: "And those who do not witness
falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or
evil talk, they pass it by with dignity"
[al-Furqaan 25:72 _ interpretation of the
meaning]. The scholars interpreted this
aayah was referring to the festivals of the
mushrikeen. It is not permissible to give any of
them cards for their festivals, or to sell them
cards or any of the other things they need for
their festivals such as lights, trees or food _
including turkey, candy canes, etc.
We have already answered a similar question,
for more details please see Question #947.
Islam Q& (www.islam-qa.com)
4528: Muslim woman whose
kaafir family celebrate her birthday
Question:
My parents and two brothers are kufaar (they
have no religion) and they insist on making a
big deal on my birthday (by phoning me and
e-mailing birthday messages and saying `happy
birthday') even though I told them many times
before that I do not celebrate my birthday and
that it is just another day like the other days.
(I am the only Muslim in my family and married
to a Muslim and I live in another province in
Canada away from them so they are not close to
me). This year I unplugged the phone on that day
so I could avoid the issue. What should I do?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We congratulate you on your steadfastness in
Islam and your avoiding bid'ah and shirk. We ask
Allaah to keep you steadfast and to admit you to
His Paradise, for He is the All-hearing Who
answers prayers.
Strive hard to avoid greetings on the
celebrations of the mushrikeen, for this is a
kind of resembling them and implies that one
approves of their falsehood… It would be a good
idea to tell your family why you do not respond
to them, so that they will not keep trying to
contact you (on that day). And ask Allaah to
give you strength. May Allaah help you to do
that which He loves and which will earn His
pleasure.
And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
(www.islam-qa.com)
11650: Can she attend
Christmas celebrations in order to greet her
relatives?
Question:
She says: I want to become Muslim, but my
family gather to celebrate Christmas, and I want
to go and greet them. This is not with the
intention of celebrating or joining in, but
simply to make the most of the opportunity of my
relatives getting together. Is this allowed?
Answer:
We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Saalih al-`Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him,
who answered as follows:
No, it is not permitted. If Allaah blesses
her with Islam, then the first thing she must do
is to distance herself from her former religion
and its festivals.
And Allaah knows best.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen
(www.islam-qa.com)
12729: Giving blood to a
kaafir who is not hostile towards Islam and who
is not in a state of war with us
Question:
What is the ruling about giving blood in land
of Kufr that will be probably given to a Kaafir?
There is the case of children suffering from
blood illness and they are in desperate need of
blood platelets? Is the ruling the same?
I was told by an imaam that blood should not
be given?
Can you please answer with daleel?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on
him) was asked about that and he said:
"I do not know of any reason not to do that,
because Allaah says in His Book (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"
[al-Mumtahanah 60:8]
So Allaah tells us that He does not forbid us
to deal justly and kindly with those kaafirs who
are not fighting us and who have not driven us
out of our homes, or with those who are in
urgent need of help. The mother of Asmaa' bint
Abi Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allaah be pleased with
her) came to her daughter in Madeenah, at the
time of the peace treaty between the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and
the people of Makkah, and she was still a
kaafir, to ask her to uphold the ties of
kinship. Asmaa' consulted the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he told her
to uphold the ties of kinship, saying, "Uphold
the ties of kinship with your mother even though
she is a kaafir."
If a kaafir who has a peace treaty with the
Muslims or is under the protection of the
Muslims, and is not hostile towards Islam and is
not in a state of war with us is in urgent need,
then there is nothing wrong with giving blood to
him. You will be rewarded for that, because
there is nothing wrong with you helping one who
is in urgent need of charity or help.
From Kitaab Fataawa Noor `ala al-Darb,
vol. 1, p. 376
Based on the above, if the kaafir is hostile
or in a state of war with the Muslims, then it
is not permissible to give him blood, because by
doing so you are helping him in his aggression
against the Muslims. This is a very serious
matter. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
(www.islam-qa.com)
14004: It is not permissible
for a Muslim to fight with kaafirs against the
Muslims at all
Question:
I work in the army of a non-Muslim state, and
there are wars between them and the Muslims.
What is the ruling if they send me with a
division of this army to wage war against the
Muslims? As a Muslim, my feelings are that I
never want to fight against Muslims in any war.
What should I do?
What is the ruling if I go…?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
If you are sent to wage war against the
Muslims, then it is not permissible for you to
take part at all. Helping the kaafirs against
the Muslims is a form of major kufr which puts
one beyond the pale of Islam. Allaah says
concerning one who supports the mushrikeen
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And if any amongst you takes them (as
Awliyaa', i.e., friends), then surely, he is one
of them"[al-Maa'idah 5:51]
With regard to how you may get out of this
situation, and what excuse you can give to get
out of this dilemma if it happens, we ask Allaah
to help you, and we suggest that you consult
some Muslims who have relevant knowledge or
experience.
We want to emphasize to you the necessity of
finding other employment and of leaving service
in the army of the kaafirs, because that implies
helping them, strengthening them and increasing
the numbers of their fighters and supporters _
unless your work can bring some benefits to the
Muslims, such as giving information and secrets
of the kaafirs to the Muslims so as to help the
Muslims, or if your work is purely da'wah, such
as giving khutbahs and leading prayers for the
Muslims in the kaafir army whilst also advising
them to avoid any work that will strengthen the
kaafirs. We ask Allaah to keep you safe from
temptation and to give you a good end in this
world and in the Hereafter.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
(www.islam-qa.com)
21563: Can he pray for his
parents when he does not know what religion they
were following when they died?
Question:
If a person left his parents as kaafirs, and
he does not know whether they became Muslim or
not, is it permissible for him to pray for them?
Answer:
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah was asked this
question and he replied:
Since he comes from a kaafir nation, it is
not permissible for him to pray for his parents,
unless they had become Muslim, as Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"It is not (proper) for the Prophet and
those who believe to ask Allaah's forgiveness
for the Mushrikoon, even though they be of kin,
after it has become clear to them that they are
the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a
state of disbelief)."
[al-Tawbah 9:113]
al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 2/423 (www.islam-qa.com)
13694: Ruling on living with
families abroad
Question:
What is the ruling on living with families
for those who travel abroad to study and learn
more of the language?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible to live with families
because that involves exposing the student to
temptation because he may be attracted to the
ways of the kaafirs and to their woman. There
has to be a place for the student to live far
away from temptation. This is all assuming that
we say that a student is allowed to travel to
kaafir countries in order to learn. The correct
view is that it is not allowed to travel to the
kaafir countries to learn except in cases of
extreme necessity, on the condition that the
student has Islamic knowledge and insight and
that he will keep away from the sources of
temptation.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "Allaah will not accept any deed
from the mushrik after he becomes Muslim until
he departs from the mushrikeen." (Narrated by
al-Nasaa'i with a jayyid isnaad).
What this means is, until he leaves the
mushrikeen and comes to live amongst the
Muslims. And the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "I have nothing to do
with any Muslim who stays among the mushrikeen."
(Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi and
al-Nasaa'i with a saheeh isnaad). And there are
many similar ahaadeeth.
Muslims must beware of traveling to the lands
of the mushrikeen except in cases of extreme
necessity. But if the traveler has Islamic
knowledge and insight, and he wants to call
people to Allaah, then this is an exceptional
case, and there is a lot of good in this,
because he is calling the mushrikeen to believe
in the Oneness of Allaah (Tawheed) and teaching
them the sharee'ah of Allaah. So he is doing
good and is far-removed from danger because of
his knowledge and understanding. And Allaah is
the One Whose help we seek.
Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah li
Samaahat al-Shaykh al-`Allaamah `Abd al-`Azeez
ibn `Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy
on him), vol 4, p. 381
(www.islam-qa.com)
13933: Ruling on visiting a
sick kaafir
Question:
It sometimes happens that one of the
Christians with us at work or school gets sick.
Is it permissible to visit him, and what is the
ruling on visiting a sick kaafir?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It is permissible to visit him with the
intention of calling him to Islam and telling
about Islam.
This is the moderate approach to the matter,
because it is not right to disallow that
altogether, as there is no evidence to that
effect. In fact, that goes against the saheeh
evidence.
Saying that it is permissible in absolute
terms is subject to further discussion. The only
option is to say that it is permissible to visit
him in order to tell him about Islam or if there
is the hope that he will embrace Islam.
It was narrated in Saheeh al-Bukhaari
via Hammaad ibn Zayd from Thaabit from Anas (may
Allaah be pleased with him), who said, "There
was a Jewish boy who used to serve the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He
fell sick, and the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) came to visit him. He sat
at his head and said to him, `Embrace Islam.'
(The boy) looked towards his father, who was
with him. (His father) said, `Obey Abu'l-Qaasim
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).' So
he embraced Islam, and the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out
saying, `Praise be to Allaah Who has saved him
from the Fire.'"
We learn a number of things from this
hadeeth:
1. The good attitude of the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
2. His eagerness to guide people.
3. That if a Jew dies following Judaism he is
a kaafir who will abide forever in Hell. There
is no dispute on this point from any of the
scholars. The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "By the One in Whose
hand is my soul, no one of this nation, Jew or
Christian, hears of me then dies not believing
in that with which I have been sent, but he will
be one of the people of Hell." (Narrated by
Muslim in his Saheeh from the hadeeth of Abu
Hurayrah).
4. It is OK to visit a Jew if there is the
hope of achieving some interest thereby. Abu
Dawood (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "I
heard Imaam Ahmad being asked about visiting a
Jew or a Christian (if he fell sick). He said,
if he wants to call him to Islam, then yes (he
should do that).
It was narrated in al-Saheehayn and
elsewhere via Ibn Shihaab who said: Sa'eed ibn
al-Musayyib told me that his father told him,
when Abu Taalib was on his deathbed, the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) came to him and found Abu
Jahl ibn Hishaam and `Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Umayyah
ibn al-Mugheerah with him. The Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "O my uncle, say Laa ilaaha
ill-Allaah, a word for which I will bear witness
for you before Allaah." Abu Jahl and `Abd-Allaah
ibn Abi Umayyah said, "O Abu Taalib, are you
turning away from the religion of `Abd
al-Muttalib?" The Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) kept urging him
to embrace Islam and they kept repeating the
same thing to him, until the last thing that Abu
Taalib said to them was, "On the path of `Abd
al-Muttalib", and he refused to say Laa
ilaaha ill-Allaah. The Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "I shall certainly keep asking Allaah
to forgive you until I am told not to do that."
Then Allaah revealed the words
(interpretation of the meaning):
"It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those
who believe to ask Allaah's forgiveness for the
Mushrikoon, even though they be of kin…"
[al-Tawbah 9:113]."
This hadeeth indicates that one may visit a
sick kaafir relative, if there is the hope that
he may embrace Islam. Al-Fadl ibn Ziyaad said: I
heard Ahmad ibn Hanbal being asked about a
Muslim man visiting one of the mushrikeen who
was sick. He said: If he thinks that if he
visits him whilst he is sick and tells him about
Islam, that he may accept it, then let him visit
him, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) visited the Jewish boy who
was sick and told him about Islam.
Shaykh Sulaymaan al-`Alwaan
(www.islam-qa.com)
11400: The enmity of the
kuffaar towards the believers is ongoing
Question:
There are people who claim that the kuffaar
love the Muslims, and that their intentions
towards us are good. What is your opinion about
what they say?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
The enmity of the kuffaar _ the People of the
Book (Jews and Christians), mushrikeen
(polytheists) and hypocrites _ towards the
believers will last until the Hour begins. The
conflict between truth and falsehood will
continue until Allaah inherits the earth and
whomsoever is upon it. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And they will never cease fighting you
until they turn you back from your religion
(Islamic Monotheism) if they can. And whosoever
of you turns back from his religion and dies as
a disbeliever, then his deeds will be lost in
this life and in the Hereafter, and they will be
the dwellers of the Fire. They will abide
therein forever"[al-Baqarah 2:217]
Because Islam rules the believers with
justice, and gives each person his rights, and
they do not want this to happen _ for this
reason they strive to wage war against this
religion and to refute the truth with falsehood.
But they can never achieve that, for this
religion will abide, and Allaah will perfect His
light, even though the kaafiroon hate
that. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"They intend to put out the Light of
Allaah (i.e. the religion of Islam, this
Qur'aan, and Prophet Muhammad) with their
mouths. But Allaah will bring His Light to
perfection even though the disbelievers hate
(it).
He it is Who has sent His Messenger
(Muhammad) with guidance and the religion of
truth (Islamic Monotheism) to make it victorious
over all (other) religions even though the
Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and
disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah and in His
Messenger Muhammad) hate (it)"[al-Saff :8-9]
The kuffaar want all the nations of this
earth to follow kufr as one:
"They wish that you reject Faith, as they
have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all
become equal (like one another)
[al-Nisaa' 4:89 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
Those who disbelieve spend of their wealth in
order to prevent others from following the path
of Allaah, at all times and in all places, and
(they strive to) spread corruption, provoke wars
and kill the believers. But Allaah insists that
they should fail and that His religion should be
victorious. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Verily, those who disbelieve spend their
wealth to hinder (men) from the path of Allaah,
and so will they continue to spend it; but in
the end it will become an anguish for them. Then
they will be overcome. And those who disbelieve
will be gathered unto Hell"
[al-Anfaal 8:36]
Allaah has told us how strong the enmity of
the kuffaar is towards the Muslims:
"Neither those who disbelieve among the
people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)
nor Al-Mushrikoon (the idolaters, polytheists,
disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah, pagans)
like that there should be sent down unto you any
good from your Lord. But Allaah chooses for His
Mercy whom He wills. And Allaah is the Owner of
Great Bounty"
[al-Baqarah 2:105 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
No matter what the kuffaar do, their enmity
will not end. Even though they may speak words
of friendship, their hearts are filled with
hatred towards Islam and its people:
"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 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
The hypocrites are kuffaar among the Muslims,
whose hatred appears in their words and whose
hearts are filled with enmity. But Allaah is
watching them, as He says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"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), not the least harm
will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allaah
surrounds all that they do"[Aal `Imraan
3:120]
The People of the Book disbelieve in the
verses of Allaah, and mix truth with falsehood.
They conceal the truth and plot against Islam,
in order to divert the Muslims from their
religion, as Allaah tells us about them
(interpretation of the meaning):
"O people of the Scripture! (Jews and
Christians): Why do you disbelieve in the Ayaat
of Allaah, [the Verses about Prophet Muhammad
present in the Tawraat (Torah) and the Injeel
(Gospel)] while you (yourselves) bear witness
(to their truth)?
O people of the Scripture (Jews and
Christians): Why do you mix truth with falsehood
and conceal the truth while you know?
And a party of the people of the Scripture
say: `Believe in the morning in that which is
revealed to the believers (Muslims), and reject
it at the end of the day, so that they may turn
back'"
[Aal `Imraan 3:70-72]
Allaah has clearly stated that obeying the
kuffaar in any way is the cause of destruction
and loss, and that obeying Him is the way to
glory, victory and strength, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"O you who believe! If you obey those who
disbelieve, they will send you back on your
heels, and you will turn back (from Faith) as
losers.
Nay, Allaah is your Mawlaa (Patron, Lord,
Helper, Protector), and He is the Best of
helpers" [Aal `Imraan 3:149]
All of the kuffaar, be they the People of the
Book (Jews and Christians), mushrikeen
(polytheists) or hypocrites, are the enemies of
the Muslims, so it is not permissible to depend
upon them or to rely on them. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"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 11:113]
Allaah has warned us against taking the
kuffaar as friends instead of the believers. If
the Muslims fear their evil, it is permitted to
make an outward show of friendliness towards
them, even though he should hate them inwardly,
as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Let not the believers take the
disbelievers as Awliyaa' (supporters, helpers)
instead of the believers, and whoever does that,
will never be helped by Allaah in any way,
except if you indeed fear a danger from them.
And Allaah warns you against Himself (His
punishment), and to Allaah is the final return"
[Aal `Imraan 3:28]
Allaah has warned us against taking the Jews
and Christians as friends, and He told us that
whoever takes them as friends is one of them. He
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]
All of the kuffaar, be they the People of the
Book (Jews and Christians), mushrikeen
(polytheists) or hypocrites, will be in Hell on
the Day of Resurrection, as Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, those who disbelieve (in the
religion of Islam, the Qur'aan and Prophet
Muhammad) from among the people of the Scripture
(Jews and Christians) and AlMushrikoon will
abide in the fire of Hell. They are the worst of
creatures"
[al-Bayyinah 98:6]
The kuffaar and the Jews are the greediest of
mankind for life, because they know that they
have no share in the Hereafter. They hate death
because they fear what comes after it, as Allaah
tells us about the Jews and mushrikeen
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And verily, you will find them (the Jews)
the greediest of mankind for life and (even
greedier) than those who ascribe partners to
Allaah (and do not believe in Resurrection —
Magians, pagans, and idolaters). Everyone of
them wishes that he could be given a life of a
thousand years. But the grant of such life will
not save him even a little from (due)
punishment. And Allaah is All-Seer of what they
do"[al-Baqarah 2:96]
From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh
Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri
(www.islam-qa.com)
6154: Ruling on sponsored
students staying in kaafir countries
Question:
We are Muslim students who are studying in
America for periods ranging from six months to
four years. We have come here to study simply
because we wanted to _ i.e., we are not
sponsored by anyone _ and the studies here in
America are no different from the studies back
home, apart from the fact that we will learn
English too. What is the ruling on our staying
in this country to study? May Allaah reward you
with good.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
If you have knowledge and understanding of
the religion of Allaah that enables you to call
others to Allaah and teach the people good
things, and refute specious arguments and
practise your religion openly among the kaafirs
around you, then it is OK, because if a person
who is as we have described and who has equipped
himself with knowledge stays there, he can
benefit himself and others. Allaah may guide
many people through him if he strives hard in
da'wah and is patient, and his intention is
sincerely for Allaah alone. But if a person does
not have this religious understanding or he does
not have the patience for da'wah, or he fears
that he may fall into things which Allaah has
forbidden, or he cannot practise his religion
openly by calling others to worship Allaah alone
and warning them against shirk and
explaining that to the people around him, then
it is not permissible for him to stay among the
mushrikeen, because the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I have
nothing to do with any Muslim who settles among
the mushrikeen." And because of the danger to
which he is exposed by settling among them. And
Allaah is the Source of strength.
Kitaab Majmmo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat
Mutanawwi'ah li Samaahat al-Shaykh al-`Allaamah
`Abd al-`Azeez ibn `Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may
Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 9, p. 401
(www.islam-qa.com)
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Introduction