How a Muslim should treat disbelievers
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Our brother Husayn Falih al-Qa'ah from al-Dhahran sent a message containing a set of questions. In his first question, he asks: How does a Muslim define his relationship with non-Muslims in terms of dealing with them and in terms of participating in farewell parties for some of his non-Muslim colleagues?
Answer: This is a matter that requires detail. The state of a disbeliever with a Muslim is not the same as his state with other disbelievers, nor is it the same as the state of a Muslim with his Muslim brothers.
The point is that a Muslim does not initiate the greeting of peace to a disbeliever, but there is no harm—and indeed, it is obligatory to return it if he greets him—by saying, "And to you." There is no harm in asking about his children, "How are you? How are your children?" There is no harm in eating with him if the need calls for it, and there is no harm in accepting his invitation, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted the invitation of the Jews (peace and blessings be upon him) and ate from their food. However, he should not take him as a friend or a beloved, nor should he show him loyalty in the sense of supporting him against his Muslim brother or helping him against his Muslim brother. Rather, he should treat him as one of the general people, with no special status in friendship, as long as work brings them together. He should only return the greeting if he is greeted, ask about his condition, and sell to him or buy from him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sold to the People of the Book and bought from them (peace and blessings be upon him), returned their greetings, and accepted their invitations. There is no harm in any of this. The only thing to be wary of is taking him as a friend or a close friend; this is not permissible. For the polytheists are allies of one another, and the people of faith are allies of one another. If there is a farewell party where some invite others to bid farewell, it is better to avoid it; not attending is better.
Regarding a farewell invitation for a disbeliever, it is better to stay away from it; because it contains some element of respect and some element of exaltation, so leaving it is better and safer, in my view. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.
Answer: This is a matter that requires detail. The state of a disbeliever with a Muslim is not the same as his state with other disbelievers, nor is it the same as the state of a Muslim with his Muslim brothers.
The point is that a Muslim does not initiate the greeting of peace to a disbeliever, but there is no harm—and indeed, it is obligatory to return it if he greets him—by saying, "And to you." There is no harm in asking about his children, "How are you? How are your children?" There is no harm in eating with him if the need calls for it, and there is no harm in accepting his invitation, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted the invitation of the Jews (peace and blessings be upon him) and ate from their food. However, he should not take him as a friend or a beloved, nor should he show him loyalty in the sense of supporting him against his Muslim brother or helping him against his Muslim brother. Rather, he should treat him as one of the general people, with no special status in friendship, as long as work brings them together. He should only return the greeting if he is greeted, ask about his condition, and sell to him or buy from him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sold to the People of the Book and bought from them (peace and blessings be upon him), returned their greetings, and accepted their invitations. There is no harm in any of this. The only thing to be wary of is taking him as a friend or a close friend; this is not permissible. For the polytheists are allies of one another, and the people of faith are allies of one another. If there is a farewell party where some invite others to bid farewell, it is better to avoid it; not attending is better.
Regarding a farewell invitation for a disbeliever, it is better to stay away from it; because it contains some element of respect and some element of exaltation, so leaving it is better and safer, in my view. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.