Serving Forbidden Food to a Non-Muslim Guest
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The fourth question of Fatwa No. ( 443 ):
Q4: Is it permissible for a Muslim to honor non-Muslim companions and serve them food and drink from what his religion, Islam, has forbidden? What is the ruling on this when a Muslim visits his companion?
A4: Islam is a religion of leniency, ease, and simplicity, and it is also a religion of justice. Honoring a companion is among the Islamic etiquettes. However, if the companion is a disbeliever, the ruling varies depending on the intention of the one honoring him and what he is honored with. If the intention is religious, in that he seeks to establish harmony between them so that he may invite him to Islam and move him from disbelief and misguidance, then this is a noble intention. Among the established principles in the Shari'ah is that means have the ruling of their ends. If the end is obligatory, the means is obligatory; if the end is forbidden, the means is forbidden, and so on. If he has no religious intention in honoring him, and no harm results to this honored person in his religion, his self, his family, or his wealth from leaving off the honor, then it is not permissible. If harm results, it is permissible. As for honoring them with food and drink from what Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has forbidden, such as pork and intoxicants, this is not permissible. Honoring them with such things is disobedience to Allah, obedience to them, and prioritizing their right over the right of Allah. It is obligatory for the Muslim to hold fast to his religion and not to assist in sin and aggression. In foreign lands, holding fast to his religion manifests noble effects, so that he may be a caller to Islam by his word and his deed. And success is from Allah. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q4: Is it permissible for a Muslim to honor non-Muslim companions and serve them food and drink from what his religion, Islam, has forbidden? What is the ruling on this when a Muslim visits his companion?
A4: Islam is a religion of leniency, ease, and simplicity, and it is also a religion of justice. Honoring a companion is among the Islamic etiquettes. However, if the companion is a disbeliever, the ruling varies depending on the intention of the one honoring him and what he is honored with. If the intention is religious, in that he seeks to establish harmony between them so that he may invite him to Islam and move him from disbelief and misguidance, then this is a noble intention. Among the established principles in the Shari'ah is that means have the ruling of their ends. If the end is obligatory, the means is obligatory; if the end is forbidden, the means is forbidden, and so on. If he has no religious intention in honoring him, and no harm results to this honored person in his religion, his self, his family, or his wealth from leaving off the honor, then it is not permissible. If harm results, it is permissible. As for honoring them with food and drink from what Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has forbidden, such as pork and intoxicants, this is not permissible. Honoring them with such things is disobedience to Allah, obedience to them, and prioritizing their right over the right of Allah. It is obligatory for the Muslim to hold fast to his religion and not to assist in sin and aggression. In foreign lands, holding fast to his religion manifests noble effects, so that he may be a caller to Islam by his word and his deed. And success is from Allah. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.