Honoring the one who differs from the creed of the people of the Sunnah and being cheerful with him
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
The questioner says: Your Eminence, father, is honoring one who does not adhere to the creed of the people of the Sunnah and the community, clarifying the matter to them, and being cheerful with them, when the intention is not to call them to the religion, considered showing affection for them or not?
Answer:
As for the one known for disbelief or for an apparent religious innovation (bid'ah), he is to be turned away from. He is not to be treated with cheerfulness or good conversation until he repents, except if he does so for the sake of calling to Allah and directing to good. In that case, there is no harm if he does it, provided he is permitted to speak and calls him to Allah. As for the one who persists in his innovation and does not respond to the apparent bid'ah, he is not to be sat with, but rather boycotted (hajr). This is because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) boycotted three of the Companions who lagged behind the expedition without an excuse. He boycotted them for five nights until Allah turned to them in mercy. However, if one hopes that he will be guided, and he comes to him and calls him and directs him to good, there is no harm. If he accepts, praise be to Allah; otherwise, he deserves to be boycotted.
The point is that one should know the man's condition. If the man is one in whom good is expected and it is hoped that he will accept the call, accept what is good, and be directed toward good, then his ruling regarding the evil he has displayed should be explained to him. If he accepts, praise be to Allah; otherwise, he deserves to be boycotted. If one sees a return to him in order to call him to Allah in the capacity of da'wah (calling others to Islam), there is no harm in it, but not in the capacity of companionship, nor in the capacity of honoring him, but rather in the capacity of calling to Allah, as He the Exalted and Majestic said:[An-Nahl 16:98] with wisdom and good instruction [An-Nahl 16:125]. And He the Exalted said: [Al-'Ankabut 29:46]. So he is to be addressed with the best of speech, called to Allah, and guided. If he refuses and persists, he deserves to be boycotted.
The questioner says: Your Eminence, father, is honoring one who does not adhere to the creed of the people of the Sunnah and the community, clarifying the matter to them, and being cheerful with them, when the intention is not to call them to the religion, considered showing affection for them or not?
Answer:
As for the one known for disbelief or for an apparent religious innovation (bid'ah), he is to be turned away from. He is not to be treated with cheerfulness or good conversation until he repents, except if he does so for the sake of calling to Allah and directing to good. In that case, there is no harm if he does it, provided he is permitted to speak and calls him to Allah. As for the one who persists in his innovation and does not respond to the apparent bid'ah, he is not to be sat with, but rather boycotted (hajr). This is because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) boycotted three of the Companions who lagged behind the expedition without an excuse. He boycotted them for five nights until Allah turned to them in mercy. However, if one hopes that he will be guided, and he comes to him and calls him and directs him to good, there is no harm. If he accepts, praise be to Allah; otherwise, he deserves to be boycotted.
The point is that one should know the man's condition. If the man is one in whom good is expected and it is hoped that he will accept the call, accept what is good, and be directed toward good, then his ruling regarding the evil he has displayed should be explained to him. If he accepts, praise be to Allah; otherwise, he deserves to be boycotted. If one sees a return to him in order to call him to Allah in the capacity of da'wah (calling others to Islam), there is no harm in it, but not in the capacity of companionship, nor in the capacity of honoring him, but rather in the capacity of calling to Allah, as He the Exalted and Majestic said:
in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy].
بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِand argue with them in a way that is best
وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُAnd do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them
وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْهُمْ
Source
وجوب التعاون على البر والتقوى — islamhouse.com (1:12:43)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.