The Muslim's Treatment of the Non-Muslim

Q: What is obligatory for the Muslim toward the non-Muslim, whether he is a dhimmi (a non-Muslim under Muslim protection) in the lands of the Muslims, or in his own land, or the Muslim resides in the land of that non-Muslim person? The obligation I want clarified is transactions of all kinds: starting from greeting, and ending with celebrating with the non-Muslim on his festivals. Is it permissible to take a work friend only? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.

A: It is prescribed (mashru') for the Muslim, with regard to the non-Muslim, several matters, among which are:

First: The call to Allah is to invite him to Allah and explain to him the reality of Islam, wherever he is able to do so and wherever he has insight; for this is the greatest and most important form of excellence, which guides the Muslim to his neighbors and to the Jews, Christians, or other polytheists with whom he meets, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): narrated by Imam Muslim in his Sahih, 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 call to Islam, he said: agreed upon as authentic.
And he said (peace and blessings be upon him): narrated by Muslim in his Sahih. So his calling to Allah, conveying Islam, and advising him in that are among the most important of important matters and among the best of nearness to Allah.

Second: It is not permissible to oppress him in his person, or in his wealth, or in his honor. If he is a dhimmi (a non-Muslim under Muslim protection), or a musta'min (a non-Muslim granted safe conduct), or a treaty partner, he must give him his right and not oppress him in his wealth, neither by theft, nor by betrayal, nor by deception, and not oppress him in his body, neither by striking nor by anything else; for his being a treaty partner, or a dhimmi in the land, or a musta'min protects him.

Third: There is no harm in transacting with him in buying and 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 disbelievers, the worshippers of idols, and he bought from the Jews, and this is a transaction. And he passed away (peace and blessings be upon him), and his armor was pledged with a Jew for food he bought for his family.

Fourth: Regarding the greeting, he does not initiate the greeting; due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): reported by Muslim in his Sahih. And he said: So the Muslim does not initiate the greeting to the disbeliever, but he responds to him by saying: due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): agreed upon as authentic. This is among the rights connected between the Muslim and the disbeliever. And among that is also good neighborly relations; if he is a neighbor, you are kind to him and do not harm him in his neighborly relations, and you give him charity if he is poor, you send to him, 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 right. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: agreed upon as authentic. And if the neighbor is a disbeliever, he has the right of neighborly relations. And if he is a relative and he is a disbeliever, he has two rights: the right of neighborly relations and the right of kinship. And it is prescribed (mashru') for the Muslim to give charity to his disbelieving neighbor and others from the disbelievers who are not at war, other than from zakah. Due to the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Mumtahanah: 8]. And for the authentic hadith from Asma' bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them both) that her mother came to her in Madinah during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, and she was a polytheist seeking assistance, so Asma' sought permission from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding that, whether she should maintain ties with her? He said: End of quote.
As for zakah: there is no objection to paying it to the reconciled disbelievers, based on His saying (the Exalted) : the verse [Surah al-Tawbah: 60], but as for participating with disbelievers in their celebrations of their festivals, it is not permissible for a Muslim to participate with them in that.