How to Deal with Non-Muslims in Government Offices
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I work in a government office, and many Christian disbelievers work with us in the same department. It is possible that the person responsible for training and submitting reports to the superiors is one of them. What do you advise us regarding dealing with them?
We advise you and others who share their workplace with non-Muslims to work according to the requirements of your job, and to deal with non-Muslims in accordance with what the Shari'ah requires.
As for the first: That is, to do what the job requires; for working in the position and executing what is stipulated in it according to the regulations is something Allah has commanded, provided it does not contradict the Shari'ah.By the saying of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He): [Al-Nisa: 59] As for dealing with non-Muslims in accordance with what the Shari'ah requires, this is necessary.And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (Do not initiate the greeting to the Jews or the Christians, and if you meet them on the road, drive them into the narrowest part of it) It is not permissible for us to initiate the greeting to them, but if they greet us, we return the greeting with what they greeted us with.
Then, if they have authority and management in this position, we first advise that non-Muslims not be employed in roles that can be performed by a Muslim; because a non-Muslim does not have faith.because of the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Imran: 118] But if no Muslim can perform this work, it is permissible for a non-Muslim to do it out of dire necessity. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) hired a polytheist man to guide him on the road during the Hijrah when he migrated from Makkah to al-Madinah, even though the situation was dangerous. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and Abu Bakr and those with them were being sought by Quraysh. Despite this, the Messenger (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him) hired a polytheist man to guide him to al-Madinah. This indicates the permissibility of employing a polytheist when the need calls for it. So I see that you should perform your duties and deal with these people in accordance with what the Shari'ah requires.
The questioner: If I enter a group and there are some Christian disbelievers among them, do I greet them or not?The Shaykh: Greet them, and intend the greeting for the Muslims with them. And if he greets you, return the greeting to him.Have you not seen that Allah said: [Al-Nisa: 86] And the Messenger (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him) commanded us to return the greeting to the Jews.
The questioner: And if he greets you in English?The Shaykh: If you know the English language, return the greeting to him in English; because he does not know the Arabic language.
The questioner: And if he knows the Arabic language?The Shaykh: If you taught him, and he also knows the Shari'ah, that is a good thing.
We advise you and others who share their workplace with non-Muslims to work according to the requirements of your job, and to deal with non-Muslims in accordance with what the Shari'ah requires.
As for the first: That is, to do what the job requires; for working in the position and executing what is stipulated in it according to the regulations is something Allah has commanded, provided it does not contradict the Shari'ah.By the saying of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He):
O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْThen, if they have authority and management in this position, we first advise that non-Muslims not be employed in roles that can be performed by a Muslim; because a non-Muslim does not have faith.because of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves, for they will not spare you [any] ruin. They wish you would have hardship. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَتَّخِذُوا بِطَانَةً مِنْ دُونِكُمْ لا يَأْلُونَكُمْ خَبَالاً وَدُّوا مَا عَنِتُّمْ قَدْ بَدَتِ الْبَغْضَاءُ مِنْ أَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَمَا تُخْفِي صُدُورُهُمْ أَكْبَرThe questioner: If I enter a group and there are some Christian disbelievers among them, do I greet them or not?The Shaykh: Greet them, and intend the greeting for the Muslims with them. And if he greets you, return the greeting to him.Have you not seen that Allah said:
And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُمْ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَاThe questioner: And if he greets you in English?The Shaykh: If you know the English language, return the greeting to him in English; because he does not know the Arabic language.
The questioner: And if he knows the Arabic language?The Shaykh: If you taught him, and he also knows the Shari'ah, that is a good thing.