The Ruling on the Employment of Christians in the Arabian Peninsula
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Near our mosque, there are Christian workers employed in a workshop. The owner of this workshop does not take the advice to remove these workers from the vicinity of the mosque. The workshop is right next to the mosque, and when I mentioned this to my father—despite the fact that my father is his colleague and friend—My father said to me: that in the Shari'ah, it is permissible to bring in workers,And my father's argument is: because I was once with one of the scholars and I saw a disbeliever working there,And the Shaykh said to me: and the one who has a disbeliever worker, it is permissible in the Shari'ah. So what is your opinion on this? And what is my role in this? May Allah reward you with good.
Yes, as for bringing non-Muslims to these lands, I have no doubt that it is contrary to what is best, and that it is better that only Muslim men and Muslim women come to these lands. Allah the Exalted said: [Surat al-Baqarah: 221] But we do not say that it is forbidden. What is forbidden is for a disbeliever to come and reside in the Arabian Peninsula. This is what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited, and he ordered the expulsion of the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula. But if they come as workers or merchants, there is nothing wrong with it. Likewise, if they come as servants, because they are followers of their masters. For this reason, the one who killed 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was a Zoroastrian slave in Madinah belonging to al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah. Similarly, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) died while his armor was pledged to a Jew in Madinah as well.
So these workers who are Christians near the mosque, if they cause harm to the mosque such that they are working while people are praying, then they must be prevented. But if they do not cause harm, it is not permissible for us to prevent them; because if we prevented them, the one who brought them would be harmed.
And the summary of the answer is: We should say: whenever it is possible to bring in Muslim workers, that is better. And if it is not possible, there is no blame in bringing these workers to work; but if the mosque or its people are harmed by them, then they are to be prevented.
May Allah grant us and you success in good, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
Yes, as for bringing non-Muslims to these lands, I have no doubt that it is contrary to what is best, and that it is better that only Muslim men and Muslim women come to these lands. Allah the Exalted said:
And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you.
وَلَعَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ مُشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْSo these workers who are Christians near the mosque, if they cause harm to the mosque such that they are working while people are praying, then they must be prevented. But if they do not cause harm, it is not permissible for us to prevent them; because if we prevented them, the one who brought them would be harmed.
And the summary of the answer is: We should say: whenever it is possible to bring in Muslim workers, that is better. And if it is not possible, there is no blame in bringing these workers to work; but if the mosque or its people are harmed by them, then they are to be prevented.
May Allah grant us and you success in good, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.