I work in the welding department of a Toyota company, and some Greek non-Muslims work with me. One time, I was drinking a cup of tea, and one of them took it
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The questioner : I work in the welding department of a Toyota company, and some Greek non-Muslims work with me. One time, I was drinking a cup of tea, and one of them took it, drank from it, and then returned it to me. So, if I drink from this cup after him, is it forbidden or not? Please provide a ruling. May Allah’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
The Shaykh : This is not forbidden, because the saliva and sweat of a disbeliever are pure and not ritually impure. Therefore, Allah has permitted us to eat their food, even though their hands touch it, and He has permitted us to marry their women, meaning the women of the People of the Book, and to eat the food of the People of the Book, even though they are disbelievers.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This indicates that the body of a disbeliever is not ritually impure, which is the correct opinion among the scholars. However, if drinking after him implies that you are humbling yourself before the disbeliever, then this is not permissible for you, because it is obligatory for a Muslim to be dignified by his Islam and not to show humiliation to the disbelievers. How can he show them humiliation? Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:[Al-Munafiqun 63:8].
A man does not show humiliation before the disbelievers unless his faith is deficient, because one who is a believer with complete faith considers himself the most noble of Allah’s creation, Glorified and Exalted is He.[Al-Isra 17:70] And the Exalted said: [Al-Bayyinah 98:7].
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Just as the believer is the most noble and most dignified of creation in the sight of Allah, the disbeliever is the most humble and lowest of them in the sight of Allah. Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, said:[Al-Anfal 8:55].
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And the Exalted said:[Al-Bayyinah 98:6] Therefore, it is not only that it is not befitting, but it is not permissible for a Muslim to humble himself before a disbeliever. If your drinking from the cup after him indicates that you are humbling yourself before him, then it is forbidden for you; otherwise, there is no harm in it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Regarding vows and eating from them, this message was sent by the sender S.A. from the Holy Makkah.
The Shaykh : This is not forbidden, because the saliva and sweat of a disbeliever are pure and not ritually impure. Therefore, Allah has permitted us to eat their food, even though their hands touch it, and He has permitted us to marry their women, meaning the women of the People of the Book, and to eat the food of the People of the Book, even though they are disbelievers.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This indicates that the body of a disbeliever is not ritually impure, which is the correct opinion among the scholars. However, if drinking after him implies that you are humbling yourself before the disbeliever, then this is not permissible for you, because it is obligatory for a Muslim to be dignified by his Islam and not to show humiliation to the disbelievers. How can he show them humiliation? Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:
And to Allah belongs [all] honor, and to His Messenger, and to the believers
وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَA man does not show humiliation before the disbelievers unless his faith is deficient, because one who is a believer with complete faith considers himself the most noble of Allah’s creation, Glorified and Exalted is He.
And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي ءادَمَ وَحَمَلْنَاهُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِIndeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds - those are the best of creatures.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ ءامَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُوْلَئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Just as the believer is the most noble and most dignified of creation in the sight of Allah, the disbeliever is the most humble and lowest of them in the sight of Allah. Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, said:
Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are those who have disbelieved, and they will not [ever] believe -
إِنَّ شَرَّ الدَّوَابِّ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَهُمْ لا يُؤْمِنُونَThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And the Exalted said:
Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَالْمُشْرِكِينَ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أُوْلَئِكَ هُمْ شَرُّ الْبَرِيَّةِThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Regarding vows and eating from them, this message was sent by the sender S.A. from the Holy Makkah.