The Ruling on Trusting Disbelievers in an Absolute Sense
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Your Eminence! We hear, and it is a great pity, some Muslims from among our own people saying: “I swear by Allah, I trust the non-Muslim workers more than the Muslim ones.” What is your opinion of such a statement, and what guidance do you have for these people?
Our view on this is that it is an error to prefer non-Muslim workers over Muslim workers in an absolute sense. However, if we see a Muslim man who is negligent in his work and a non-Muslim man who does his work perfectly, we may say: “This one is better than that one in his work.” But in a general and absolute sense, this is a great error. One should fear for his faith if he prefers non-Muslims over Muslims in an absolute sense;Because Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, said: [al-Baqarah: 221] And He said: [al-Baqarah: 221] .
Furthermore, a person must look at the destinations of these wages. If the workers are non-Muslims, their earnings go to the coffers of the non-Muslims. Moreover, these people may be non-Muslims who fight Muslims in their lands, so the wages you pay to these workers become knives and daggers in the chests of Muslims in the lands of these non-Muslims. Therefore, a person must look at matters from every angle.
However, if these non-Muslims are of a peaceful nature toward Muslims, and no harm comes to Muslims from them, the matter is easier.
Our view on this is that it is an error to prefer non-Muslim workers over Muslim workers in an absolute sense. However, if we see a Muslim man who is negligent in his work and a non-Muslim man who does his work perfectly, we may say: “This one is better than that one in his work.” But in a general and absolute sense, this is a great error. One should fear for his faith if he prefers non-Muslims over Muslims in an absolute sense;Because Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, said:
And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you.
وَلَعَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ مُشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْAnd a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you.
وَلَأَمَةٌ مُؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ مُشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْFurthermore, a person must look at the destinations of these wages. If the workers are non-Muslims, their earnings go to the coffers of the non-Muslims. Moreover, these people may be non-Muslims who fight Muslims in their lands, so the wages you pay to these workers become knives and daggers in the chests of Muslims in the lands of these non-Muslims. Therefore, a person must look at matters from every angle.
However, if these non-Muslims are of a peaceful nature toward Muslims, and no harm comes to Muslims from them, the matter is easier.