What is the ruling on visiting disbelievers when they are ill or happy, and congratulating them on their festivals?

The questioner:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner asks: Is it considered showing affection to disbelievers for a Muslim to visit his non-Muslim neighbor when he is ill, at his celebrations, and to congratulate him on his festivals?

The Shaykh:
As for congratulating them on their festivals, this is not permissible. It is not permissible to endorse them in this, nor to participate with them in it, nor to give them gifts, nor to rent them a place to hold the celebration, nor to eat the food they prepare for this celebration; none of this is permissible. A Muslim should stay away from their festivals; he should stay away from their festivals. Is there more to the question?

The questioner:
And the effort.

The Shaykh:
Readiness, yes.

The questioner:
Visiting them when they are ill.

The Shaykh:
Visiting them when they are ill: if the intention is to call them to Allah, so that perhaps he will accept Islam and die upon Islam, that is a good opportunity. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) visited a Jew and called him to Islam, so he accepted Islam while on his deathbed and died a Muslim. He also visited his uncle Abu Talib and presented Islam to him, saying to him, "Say: There is no god but Allah." So if the purpose of visiting the sick disbeliever is to call him to Islam, that is a good thing.