Associating with Disbelievers
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Mixing with those who have left Islam
Question: There are some Muslims with us, but unfortunately, they have nothing of Islam except its name. As for them, they are far from it and do not conduct themselves with its morals. Work may bring us together with them, so we mix with them and sit with them. Is there any sin on us for that?
Answer: Association is of two types:
The first type: Association for work only. It is best for them to separate and stay away from them if possible. This is required and safer for their religion and safer for their faith. If it is not possible, they perform their work and there is no blame on them for that.
And the second type of association: Association of intimacy, love, and familiarity. This is forbidden. It is not permissible to associate with these people, be intimate with them, love them, or joke with them in a way that indicates relaxation with them. Because as long as these people do not pray, do not fast, and know nothing of Islam except its name only, they are not Muslims. It is obligatory to boycott them and stay away from them, except if there is hope in associating with them to call them to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and teach them the rulings of their religion. Because they may be ignorant of the matters of their religion, and they may have been influenced by corrupters. If they found someone to guide them and teach them, they would benefit. If the association with them benefits them in this regard, then association with them is prescribed. But if it is mere association, intimacy, and love without any influence on them, then it is not permissible.
[Associating with Disbelievers]
Question: We are from Iraq, and we live in Poland. Some families from this country are our neighbors. They are good to us in their neighborly relations and treat us kindly, and we do the same.
Is it permissible for us to associate with them as families, sit with them, and eat with them, even though they respect our religion and do not do any of the wrong things in front of us? Is that permissible for us?
Answer: It is not befitting to associate with disbelievers, be intimate with them, or feel secure with them, even if they are neighbors. However, one should be good to the neighbor and not be bad to him, even if he is a disbeliever.Because neighbors are of three types:
A neighbor has three rights. That is the close Muslim neighbor, who has the right of Islam, the right of neighborliness, and the right of kinship.
And a neighbor has two rights: And the Muslim neighbor who is not a close relative has two rights: the right of Islam and the right of neighborliness.
And a neighbor has one right. That is the disbelieving neighbor, who has only the right of neighborliness. That is to be good to him and that no harm or bad neighborliness comes from you toward him.
As for relaxing with them, feeling secure with them, and loving them; it is not permissible for a Muslim to befriend a disbeliever, to relax with him, to trust him, or to associate with him. Because he may have an influence, even in the long run, on you or on your descendants.
Question: There are some Muslims with us, but unfortunately, they have nothing of Islam except its name. As for them, they are far from it and do not conduct themselves with its morals. Work may bring us together with them, so we mix with them and sit with them. Is there any sin on us for that?
Answer: Association is of two types:
The first type: Association for work only. It is best for them to separate and stay away from them if possible. This is required and safer for their religion and safer for their faith. If it is not possible, they perform their work and there is no blame on them for that.
And the second type of association: Association of intimacy, love, and familiarity. This is forbidden. It is not permissible to associate with these people, be intimate with them, love them, or joke with them in a way that indicates relaxation with them. Because as long as these people do not pray, do not fast, and know nothing of Islam except its name only, they are not Muslims. It is obligatory to boycott them and stay away from them, except if there is hope in associating with them to call them to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and teach them the rulings of their religion. Because they may be ignorant of the matters of their religion, and they may have been influenced by corrupters. If they found someone to guide them and teach them, they would benefit. If the association with them benefits them in this regard, then association with them is prescribed. But if it is mere association, intimacy, and love without any influence on them, then it is not permissible.
[Associating with Disbelievers]
Question: We are from Iraq, and we live in Poland. Some families from this country are our neighbors. They are good to us in their neighborly relations and treat us kindly, and we do the same.
Is it permissible for us to associate with them as families, sit with them, and eat with them, even though they respect our religion and do not do any of the wrong things in front of us? Is that permissible for us?
Answer: It is not befitting to associate with disbelievers, be intimate with them, or feel secure with them, even if they are neighbors. However, one should be good to the neighbor and not be bad to him, even if he is a disbeliever.Because neighbors are of three types:
A neighbor has three rights. That is the close Muslim neighbor, who has the right of Islam, the right of neighborliness, and the right of kinship.
And a neighbor has two rights: And the Muslim neighbor who is not a close relative has two rights: the right of Islam and the right of neighborliness.
And a neighbor has one right. That is the disbelieving neighbor, who has only the right of neighborliness. That is to be good to him and that no harm or bad neighborliness comes from you toward him.
As for relaxing with them, feeling secure with them, and loving them; it is not permissible for a Muslim to befriend a disbeliever, to relax with him, to trust him, or to associate with him. Because he may have an influence, even in the long run, on you or on your descendants.