What is the ruling on Muslims working alongside non-Muslims, such as Christians, in the same job? And how should they be treated?
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The questioner : May the Shaykh be honored, we work in a place where many disbelievers, Hindus and Christians, work with us. Their work is connected to ours, so we do not know how to treat them?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible for non-Muslims to work alongside Muslims out of necessity. However, in the absence of necessity, it is not permissible to bring non-Muslims to the Arabian Peninsula. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Abi Dawud 3029Sahih (Al-Albani) He also said: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1606Sahih (Darussalam) And he said: Sahih Muslim 1767a.
The presence of non-Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula is a great danger. This is because Islam began in this peninsula and will return to it, as it is established that: meaning: it will return to it Sahih Muslim 147. So the presence of non-Muslims with us is a danger, my brothers. But we complain to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and ask Allah to guide our rulers to look into this dangerous matter. If you are afflicted by working with non-Muslims, treat them as they treat you, except that you do not initiate the greeting to them, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1602Sahih (Darussalam). And do not honor them by making way for them. That is, if a group of Muslims meets a group of non-Muslims, the Muslims do not honor them by making way for them. They make the non-Muslims the ones who are forced to what? To the narrowness. They crowd together and enter with the group one by one. Do you understand?
But you may be afflicted with a calamity where your boss is a disbeliever. A calamity where you have to go to him to discuss a need. What do you say? If you say: "Peace be upon you," you have disobeyed the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). And if you remain silent, you fear for your safety. What do you say? Tell me what you would say. You enter upon this boss, for example, Zayn. You greet him without the salam. You say: "Good morning" or "How are you" or the like. Or you say: "Peace," but you do not say: "upon you." You intend the peace to be upon me and upon the righteous servants of Allah. Praise be to Allah. Intention is broad, and he does not know what is in my heart. Do you understand? Yes.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : They do not obey the brothers.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : You obey, since the time has now been announced... allow him.
The questioner : Yes, exactly.
The Shaykh : Fine.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : What?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible for non-Muslims to work alongside Muslims out of necessity. However, in the absence of necessity, it is not permissible to bring non-Muslims to the Arabian Peninsula. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Expel the polytheists from Arabia
أخرجوا المشركين من جزيرة العربexpel the Jews and the Christians from the Arabian Peninsula
أخرجوا اليهود والنصارى من جزيرة العربI will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula and will not leave any but Muslim.
لأخرجن اليهود والنصارى من جزيرة العرب حتى لا أدع إلا مسلماThe presence of non-Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula is a great danger. This is because Islam began in this peninsula and will return to it, as it is established that:
retreat to Medina
يأرز إلى المدينةjust as the serpent crawls back into its hole
كما تأرز الحية إلى جحرهاDo not precede the Jews and the Christians with the Salam
لا تبدؤوا اليهود والنصارى بالسلامBut you may be afflicted with a calamity where your boss is a disbeliever. A calamity where you have to go to him to discuss a need. What do you say? If you say: "Peace be upon you," you have disobeyed the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). And if you remain silent, you fear for your safety. What do you say? Tell me what you would say. You enter upon this boss, for example, Zayn. You greet him without the salam. You say: "Good morning" or "How are you" or the like. Or you say: "Peace," but you do not say: "upon you." You intend the peace to be upon me and upon the righteous servants of Allah. Praise be to Allah. Intention is broad, and he does not know what is in my heart. Do you understand? Yes.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : They do not obey the brothers.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : You obey, since the time has now been announced... allow him.
The questioner : Yes, exactly.
The Shaykh : Fine.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : What?