The Ruling on Associating with Non-Muslim Communities

Question:
A questioner says: My job and the nature of my work require me to associate with non-Muslim communities and interact with them. We may break our fast together at the workplace, and we may initiate greetings or salutations with them. How do we achieve the aspect of loyalty and disavowal with these people?

Answer:
You must advise them and call them to Allah, and treat them to the extent that necessity requires: asking them about a transaction, giving them a transaction to perform, returning the greeting to them if they greet you, and so on.
As for taking them as friends and loved ones and interacting with them as if they were Muslims, that is not permissible. However, you treat them to the extent that necessity requires in the systems of the job: a transaction that is given to them, or taken from them, or inquired about: where did you go? Where did you come from? There is no harm in saying: How are your children? How are you? This is not initiating the greeting. And if they greet you, you say: And upon you be peace.