The Ruling on Eating or Drinking with a Christian
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Question:
Is it forbidden for a Muslim to eat with a Christian, or to drink with him? And if that is forbidden, what about the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Ma'idah: 5]?
Answer:
No, it is not forbidden. The food is lawful; it is not the eating with them that is forbidden. Their food is lawful for us. However, do not take them as companions with whom you eat constantly, keep them company, and laugh with them. No, because they are your enemies. But if you happen to have guests and a Christian, or someone else, happens to be present with the food, and you eat with him, there is no blame on you, if Allah wills. But do not take them as companions. In the hadith:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2395Sahih (Darussalam).
So the believer should observe that his companions are the best of people, and those who come to him are from the best of people. And the coincidences that are not intended, such as a guest coming and food being served to him, and he is not a Muslim, or you attend a meal where there are Muslims and others, and you eat with them; it does not harm, if Allah wills. But do not take them as companions, close friends, or intimates with whom you keep company and laugh, and the like of that; because they are your enemies.
Is it forbidden for a Muslim to eat with a Christian, or to drink with him? And if that is forbidden, what about the saying of Allah the Exalted:
and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them
وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَهُمْAnswer:
No, it is not forbidden. The food is lawful; it is not the eating with them that is forbidden. Their food is lawful for us. However, do not take them as companions with whom you eat constantly, keep them company, and laugh with them. No, because they are your enemies. But if you happen to have guests and a Christian, or someone else, happens to be present with the food, and you eat with him, there is no blame on you, if Allah wills. But do not take them as companions. In the hadith:
Do not accompany except a believer, and do not serve your food except to one with Taqwa.
لا تصاحب إلا مؤمنًا، ولا يأكل طعامك إلا تقيSo the believer should observe that his companions are the best of people, and those who come to him are from the best of people. And the coincidences that are not intended, such as a guest coming and food being served to him, and he is not a Muslim, or you attend a meal where there are Muslims and others, and you eat with them; it does not harm, if Allah wills. But do not take them as companions, close friends, or intimates with whom you keep company and laugh, and the like of that; because they are your enemies.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.