The Ruling on Bringing in Ambassadors and Workers from Among the Disbelievers
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Question:
Those who are bringing in workers from among the disbelievers now: is this considered? Are they to be honored in their covenant, or is it necessary that they leave?
Answer:
The apparent text indicates prohibition, except for one who comes for a temporary need, such as one who comes with grain to sell, or the postal messenger who comes from the disbelievers, or something similar to that.
As for those who come and reside, corrupting the earth and harming the Muslim society; it is not permissible to bring them in to work here in the Peninsula except for a dire necessity that the interest of the Muslims calls for, such as preparing weapons, or a specific type of medicine, or something similar to those individual things that the Muslims need. As for generalizing this matter so that people bring in whoever they wish, that is not permissible. A decision was issued by the Council of Senior Scholars years ago regarding this matter, and it was raised to the one in authority to prevent this laxity. We ask Allah to help us in that.
Q: Does the owner of the institution sin, O Shaykh, if he brings them in?
The Shaykh: Yes, it is not permissible for him to bring in disbelievers. It is obligatory to bring in Muslims. The Muslims are in need of benefit; so he chooses from among the Muslims one whose righteousness is apparent. He does not take just anyone. Some Muslims claim Islam, yet they are polytheists who worship other than Allah. The agent who brings in or contracts with people should be vigilant; so that he does not choose or contract except with one known for correct Islam, and he does not be lax in bringing in disbelievers, or the mixers known for polytheism, who claim Islam.
Q: And the ambassadors, ambassadors of the states?
The Shaykh: The ambassador is an exception; because the need calls for that, just as he was excepted in his presence among the disbelievers. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Abu Ubaydah as an ambassador to Najran among the Christians.
Q: Is bringing in disbelievers considered a major sin among the major sins?
The Shaykh: For each one, it is a sin. As for it being a major sin, that is a matter of consideration. But it is not permissible; because there is no threat in it, there is an instruction to expel them, and a major sin has conditions.
Those who are bringing in workers from among the disbelievers now: is this considered? Are they to be honored in their covenant, or is it necessary that they leave?
Answer:
The apparent text indicates prohibition, except for one who comes for a temporary need, such as one who comes with grain to sell, or the postal messenger who comes from the disbelievers, or something similar to that.
As for those who come and reside, corrupting the earth and harming the Muslim society; it is not permissible to bring them in to work here in the Peninsula except for a dire necessity that the interest of the Muslims calls for, such as preparing weapons, or a specific type of medicine, or something similar to those individual things that the Muslims need. As for generalizing this matter so that people bring in whoever they wish, that is not permissible. A decision was issued by the Council of Senior Scholars years ago regarding this matter, and it was raised to the one in authority to prevent this laxity. We ask Allah to help us in that.
Q: Does the owner of the institution sin, O Shaykh, if he brings them in?
The Shaykh: Yes, it is not permissible for him to bring in disbelievers. It is obligatory to bring in Muslims. The Muslims are in need of benefit; so he chooses from among the Muslims one whose righteousness is apparent. He does not take just anyone. Some Muslims claim Islam, yet they are polytheists who worship other than Allah. The agent who brings in or contracts with people should be vigilant; so that he does not choose or contract except with one known for correct Islam, and he does not be lax in bringing in disbelievers, or the mixers known for polytheism, who claim Islam.
Q: And the ambassadors, ambassadors of the states?
The Shaykh: The ambassador is an exception; because the need calls for that, just as he was excepted in his presence among the disbelievers. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Abu Ubaydah as an ambassador to Najran among the Christians.
Q: Is bringing in disbelievers considered a major sin among the major sins?
The Shaykh: For each one, it is a sin. As for it being a major sin, that is a matter of consideration. But it is not permissible; because there is no threat in it, there is an instruction to expel them, and a major sin has conditions.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.