How should one deal with the people of innovation whose innovation is a cause of disbelief? Is it permissible to greet them and mix with them, or not?
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The questioner : There are many questions that have come regarding the issue of dealing with those who hold a belief of disbelief, such as believing that their imam is better than the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and so on. This exists in our societies. How must we deal with them? Is it permissible for us to befriend them, take them as friends, and greet them first, or is that not permissible?
The Shaykh : The matter differs between mere dealing and companionship and friendship. As for the first, it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) dealt with some of the Jews, and he died while his armor was pledged to a Jew in exchange for two sa' of barley that the Messenger (peace be upon him) had borrowed from that Jew. It is also established that 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) hired himself out to a Jew to draw water from his well, in exchange for one date for every bucket. A Muslim dealing with others is a permissible matter with no objection. However, friendship and affection are what are not permissible, because that leads the Muslim to loosen his adherence to Islamic morals and depart from Islamic etiquette, imitating that man who is not a Muslim, adopting his morals, and following his etiquette. Therefore, we must distinguish between dealing and affection and loyalty. Dealing is like a man we deal with as if he were a Muslim open sinner, for example, we buy goods from him, but we do not show him affection or be his friend. Likewise, anyone who is not a Muslim, especially since the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2395Sahih (Darussalam) This companionship and affection usually entails that some of them eat the food of others, and this naturally leads to a kind of loyalty that is prohibited in the Book of Allah and in the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, in brief, dealing within the limits of the Shari'ah is permissible, but loyalty and friendship are not permissible.
The Shaykh : The matter differs between mere dealing and companionship and friendship. As for the first, it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) dealt with some of the Jews, and he died while his armor was pledged to a Jew in exchange for two sa' of barley that the Messenger (peace be upon him) had borrowed from that Jew. It is also established that 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) hired himself out to a Jew to draw water from his well, in exchange for one date for every bucket. A Muslim dealing with others is a permissible matter with no objection. However, friendship and affection are what are not permissible, because that leads the Muslim to loosen his adherence to Islamic morals and depart from Islamic etiquette, imitating that man who is not a Muslim, adopting his morals, and following his etiquette. Therefore, we must distinguish between dealing and affection and loyalty. Dealing is like a man we deal with as if he were a Muslim open sinner, for example, we buy goods from him, but we do not show him affection or be his friend. Likewise, anyone who is not a Muslim, especially since the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: