How should one deal with those who differ from us in creed?
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The questioner : There are many questions that have come up regarding the treatment of those who adopt a creed of disbelief; for example, believing in the denial of the attributes of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), or believing that their imam is better than the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), or other such matters. This is observed and present in our societies. So how must we treat them? Is it permissible for us to befriend them, take them as friends, and greet them with the salam? Or is it not permissible to greet them with the salam, nor to befriend them?
The Shaykh : The matter differs between mere dealing and between companionship and friendship. As for the first matter: it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) dealt with some of the Jews. In fact, 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 per bucket. Thus, a Muslim dealing with others is a permissible matter with no issue. 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 to imitate that man who is not a Muslim, adopting his morals and his etiquette.
Therefore, we must distinguish between dealing and between affection and loyalty. Dealing is like a man we treat as if he were a Muslim open sinner, for example; we buy goods from him, but we do not show him affection or keep him as a companion. Likewise, every one who is not a Muslim, especially since the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2395Sahih (Darussalam); so this companionship and that affection usually necessitate that some of them eat the food of others, and this naturally leads to some of the loyalty that is prohibited by the Book of Allah and the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
So, in brief, dealing within the limits of the Shari'ah is permissible, but loyalty and friendship are not permissible.
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The Shaykh : The matter differs between mere dealing and between companionship and friendship. As for the first matter: it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) dealt with some of the Jews. In fact, 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 per bucket. Thus, a Muslim dealing with others is a permissible matter with no issue. 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 to imitate that man who is not a Muslim, adopting his morals and his etiquette.
Therefore, we must distinguish between dealing and between affection and loyalty. Dealing is like a man we treat as if he were a Muslim open sinner, for example; we buy goods from him, but we do not show him affection or keep him as a companion. Likewise, every one who is not a Muslim, especially since the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Do not accompany except a believer, and do not serve your food except to one with Taqwa.
لا تصاحب إلا مؤمنًا ، ولا يأكل طعامك إلا تقيٌّSo, in brief, dealing within the limits of the Shari'ah is permissible, but loyalty and friendship are not permissible.
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Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.