Greeting the Disbeliever
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Q: In these days, as a result of interaction with the West and the East, most of whom are disbelievers of various religions, we see them repeating the Islamic greeting to us when we meet them in any place. What is obligatory for us toward them?
Ali H. Riyadh
A: It is established from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Bulugh al-Maram 16:10 Narrated by Imam Muslim in his Sahih.
And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 2163a Agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim. The People of the Book are the Jews and the Christians, and the ruling for the rest of the disbelievers is the same as the ruling for the Jews and the Christians in this matter; because there is no evidence for a difference, as far as we know.
So, do not initiate the greeting to a disbeliever under any circumstances. And when he initiates the greeting, it is obligatory to respond to him by saying: "And to you"; in compliance with the command of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). There is no objection to saying to him after that: "How are you?" and "How are your children?", as some scholars have permitted this, including Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him), especially if the Islamic interest requires it, such as encouraging him to Islam and making him feel at ease with it; so that he accepts the call and listens to it. By the saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) : [Al-Nahl: 125] and His saying (Mighty and Majestic): [Al-'Ankabut 29:46] the verse [Al-'Ankabut: 46].
Ali H. Riyadh
A: It is established from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
Do not initiate the saluting of Jews and Christians (when you meet them), and if you meet any of them on the road, force him to go to the narrowest part of the road (i.e. do not give way for them to pass, but keep going).
لا تبدؤوا اليهود ولا النصارى بالسلام، وإذا لقيتموهم في طريق فاضطروهم إلى أضيقهAnd he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
When the People of the Book offer you salutations, you should say: The same to you.
إذا سلم عليكم أهل الكتاب فقولوا وعليكمSo, do not initiate the greeting to a disbeliever under any circumstances. And when he initiates the greeting, it is obligatory to respond to him by saying: "And to you"; in compliance with the command of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). There is no objection to saying to him after that: "How are you?" and "How are your children?", as some scholars have permitted this, including Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him), especially if the Islamic interest requires it, such as encouraging him to Islam and making him feel at ease with it; so that he accepts the call and listens to it. By the saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) :
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best
ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُمْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُAnd do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them
وَلا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِلا الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْهُمْ
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.