The Muslim's Obligations Toward the Disbeliever

Q: What is the obligation of a Muslim toward a non-Muslim? Whether he is a dhimmi (a non-Muslim under Muslim protection) in Muslim lands, or he is in his own country and the Muslim resides in that non-Muslim person's country? The obligation I want clarified is dealings in all their forms, starting with greeting and ending with celebrating with him on his festivals. Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.

A: The obligation of a Muslim toward a non-Muslim includes multiple matters, among which are:
First: Calling to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) , which is to invite him to Allah and explain to him the reality of Islam where he is able to do so and where he has insight; for this is the greatest and most significant act of kindness, guiding him to his fellow citizens and to the Jews, Christians, or other mushrikin (one who associates partners with Allah) he meets; due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): And his saying (peace and blessings be upon him) to 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) when he sent him to Khaybar and ordered him to invite the Jews to Islam, he said: And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So his calling to Allah, conveying Islam, and advising him in that are among the most important matters and the best of nearness to Allah.
Second: He must not oppress him in his person, his wealth, or his honor. If he is a dhimmi (a non-Muslim under Muslim protection), a musta'min (a non-Muslim granted safe conduct), or a treaty partner, he must fulfill his right, so he does not oppress him in his wealth by theft, betrayal, or deception, nor does he oppress him in his body by beating or killing; for his being a treaty partner, a dhimmi in the land, or a musta'min (a non-Muslim granted safe conduct) protects him.
Third: There is no objection to dealing with him in buying, selling, leasing, and the like. It is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he bought from the mushrikin (one who associates partners with Allah) of the idols and bought from the Jews, and this is a transaction. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away while his armor was pledged to a Jew for food for his family.
Fourth: He does not initiate the greeting, but he returns it, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): narrated by Muslim. And he said: agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim. So the Muslim does not initiate the greeting to the disbeliever, but when the Jew or Christian or other disbeliever greets him, he says "And upon you," as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered. This is among the rights prescribed between the Muslim and the disbeliever. Among that is good neighborly relations; so if he is your neighbor, you are good to him and do not annoy him in his neighborhood, you give him charity if he is poor, or you give him a gift if he is rich, and you advise him in what benefits him; for this is what causes his desire for Islam and his entering into it, and because the neighbor has a great right, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim, and due to the generality of the saying of the Exalted: [al-Mumtahanah: 8].
And in the authentic hadith from Asma' bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her), her mother came to her as a mushrikah (one who associates partners with Allah) during the period of the truce concluded between the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the people of Makkah, seeking assistance. So Asma' sought permission from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding whether she should maintain ties with her? So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: .
It is not permissible for the Muslim to participate in their celebrations or festivals, but there is no harm in consoling them for their dead, if he sees the Sharia'ah (Islamic sacred law) benefit in that, by saying: "May Allah console you in your loss," or "May Allah give you a better replacement," or similar good words. And he does not say "May Allah forgive him," nor does he say "May Allah have mercy on him" if he is a disbeliever; meaning he does not supplicate for the dead, but rather he supplicates for the living for guidance and for good replacement and the like.