Islam: Questions And Answers - Alliance and Amity, Disavowal and Enmity

ISLAM: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Alliance and Amity, Disavowal and Enmity Volume 6 of a Series of Islamic Books by Muhammad Saed Abdul-Rahman

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Islam: Questions And Answers Volume 6 Alliance and Amity, Disavowal and Enmity

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Islam: Questions And Answers Volume 6 Alliance and Amity, Disavowal and Enmity

Muhammad Saed Abdul-Rahman BSc, DipHE

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© Muhammad Saed Abdul-Rahman, 2003 ISBN for all volumes 1 86179 080 5 ISBN for volume 6 paperback 1 86179 281 6 ISBN for volume 6 hardback 1 86179 282 4 ISBN for volume 6 pdf eBook 1 86179 283 2 ISBN for volume 6 Microsoft eBook 1 86179 284 0 ISBN for volume 6 Palm eBook 1 86179 285 9

All Rights reserved

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data. A Catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Designed, Typeset and produced by: MSA Publication Limited, 4 Bello Close, Herne Hill, London SE24 9BW United Kingdom

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Contents Introduction .............................................................................. 1 Part 1 ......................................................................................... 3 43270: Ruling on saying that the attitude of the kuffaar is better than the attitude of the Muslims ................ 3 11266: Ruling on taking sinners as friends .......................... 6 38284: The danger of studying in the kaafir schools ......... 10 48966: Greeting a kaafir first ............................................ 13 21694: Guidelines concerning imitation of the kuffaar .......................................................................... 15 22181: Accepting a gift with strings attached from a non- Muslim ........................................................... 18 22182: Are the Christians who exist nowadays the closest to us in love and friendship? ............................ 19 46797: Can a Muslim accept a gift from his kaafir brother? .................................................................... 21 21314: Is using the Christian calendar regarded as befriending the kuffaar? ................................................. 22 33691: Ruling on helping a kaafir army against the Muslims ....................................................................... 23 32560 : Farewell parties for kaafirs .................................. 25 33862: How to treat a wife from among the People of the Book ............................................................. 27 34687: He has become Muslim but he does not want to leave his homeland.......................................... 30 42235: Doesn’t the hadeeth “Do not initiate the greeting with a Jew or Christian” put people off Islam?................................................................ 32 4163: Being kind to kaafirs with the intention of da’wah ........................................................................... 33 Part 2 ....................................................................................... 35 43154: Returning greetings to kaafirs falls into three categories .................................................................. 35 42958: He found a kaafir on the road – can he give him a ride? ............................................................. 37 5

43160: Benefitting from what the kaafirs have .................. 38 8919: Travelling to kaafir lands unnecessarily .................. 40 4056: Wearing the clothing of the non-Muslims ............... 41 32564: She is boycotting American goods – should she leave the institute because it teaches American material? ............................................... 41 34559: Muslim and non-Muslim woman visiting one another ............................................................ 43 11793: Being friends with non-Muslims ........................... 45 20471: Can she sit and eat with a Muslim woman who does not pray? ................................................ 55 26118: Being friends with Christians and gays................. 57 6699: What is the ruling on buying from the kuffaar when there are Muslims around? ........................... 59 4839: The problem of Muslims’ linguistic assimilation in foreign countries ........................................ 60 23325: Making friends with a kaafir woman .................... 63 10421: The difference between taking the kaafirs as friends and seeking their help ............................ 67 21344: Staying in an Islamic country even if that goes against one’s parents’ wishes........................... 67 Part 3 ....................................................................................... 69 26721: Principles and guidelines for Muslims’ relations with non-Muslims ............................................... 69 5219: Ruling on taking part in some annual celebrations ........................................................................ 73 22872: Is it prescribed to boycott innovators in this day and age? ................................................................ 76 11427: Attending the festivals of the mushrikeen and congratulating them ..................................................... 78 12777: Prohibition on celebrating the festivals of the kuffaar ...................................................................... 79 1130: Ruling on joining in the kaafir festivals ................... 80 4528: Muslim woman whose kaafir family celebrate her birthday ......................................................... 81 11650: Can she attend Christmas celebrations in order to greet her relatives? ........................................... 82 6

12729: Giving blood to a kaafir who is not hostile towards Islam and who is not in a state of war with us .................................................................... 83 14004: It is not permissible for a Muslim to fight with kaafirs against the Muslims at all ...................... 84 21563: Can he pray for his parents when he does not know what religion they were following when they died? ................................................................. 86 13694: Ruling on living with families abroad .................. 86 13933: Ruling on visiting a sick kaafir .............................. 88 11400: The enmity of the kuffaar towards the believers is ongoing ........................................................... 90 6154: Ruling on sponsored students staying in kaafir countries .................................................................. 95 Part 4 ....................................................................................... 97 10342: Ruling on a Muslim eating with a kaafir ............... 97 9918: Ruling on seeking and accepting help from the kuffaar ................................................................. 98 9404: Islamic ruling on doing Islamic projects through Jews or Christians ................................................. 98 11232: Giving a lecture about Islam in a church ............ 100 7622: He promised a kaafir that he would go to the church with him ......................................................... 100 4036: She wants to embrace Islam but does not want to leave her kaafir husband ..................................... 102 6247: Ruling on obtaining nationality of a kaafir state ........................................................................ 105 6099: He became Muslim and he has kaafir friends .............................................................................. 105 11469: Muslims demonstrating in support of their Palestinian brothers ................................................. 106 9606: Putting a Jew in charge of the Muslim treasury (bayt al-maal) ..................................................... 107 10213: Ruling on the call to unite all religions ................ 108 10108: Is it permissible to go into churches for the purpose of da’wah, or just to look around? ................ 117 3414: Learning foreign languages .................................... 118 7

1552: When they need to write the Gregorian date .......... 118 6572: Buying products from kaafir countries ................. 119 Part 5 ..................................................................................... 121 1476: Can we say “Jazaak Allaah khayran ” to a kaafir? ............................................................................ 121 6688: Whoever does not believe that the Jews, Christians and kaafirs are indeed kaafirs is himself a kaafir ............................................................................. 121 7856: A Christian complains about prohibition of Muslims celebrating or congratulating people at Christmas ..................................................................... 126 7855: He is invited to go places with the kuffaar ............ 129 6992: Convert attending his brother’s wedding party ................................................................................. 130 2296: Travelling to kaafir countries for the purpose of teaching and da’wah ...................................... 132 4576: Pretending to be a non-Muslim in an Islamic chat room ............................................................. 133 4948: Can a Muslim allow a non-Muslim guest to observe the rituals of kufr in his home? ....................... 134 3485: Making du’aa’ for parents when one is not sure whether they became Muslim or not .................. 135 3325: Taking part in non-Muslim celebrations in order to encourage them to take part in our celebrations ...................................................................... 136 3885: Military service in kaafir armies and working as a “chaplain” in those armies .......................... 137 3062: Is it permissible for Muslims to vote for kaafirs who seem to be less evil? ..................................... 138 3238: Ruling on giving charity to non-Muslims .............. 139 3454: Arabic numerals vs. European numerals................ 140 2179: Clarification of the important rule: it is haraam to take kaafirs as close friends and protectors ......................................................................... 142 Part 6 ..................................................................................... 149 2847: Wants to become Muslim but lives in drug country ..................................................................... 149 8

212: Accepting donations from non-Muslims ................ 150 947: Ruling on celebrating non-Muslim holidays and congratulating them ................................................... 152 1015: Ruling on helping a Muslim move to a non-Muslim country......................................................... 154 1204: Rules Related to Befriending Non-Muslims.......... 155 1052: Muslim working in law enforcement in a non-Islamic country ......................................................... 156 782: Selling greeting cards for Christian holidays ........... 157 182: Ruling on loving non-Muslims ................................ 159 180: One who lives among people who commit shirk..... 161

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Introduction Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon His last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad, and on his family and his companions. This book, Alliance and Amity, Disavowal and Enmity, is the sixth volume of a series of authoritative Islamic books entitled Islam: Questions And Answers. The overall series discusses issues relevant to Islam, and present accurate and reliable information based on the true beliefs and practices of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) and his companions. The objectives of the various books include: to teach and familiarize Muslims with various aspects of their religion to be a source for guiding people to Islam to assist in solving the social and personal problems of the Muslims in an Islamic context The books are directed towards Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Subject areas include, but are not limited to, Islamic fiqh and jurisprudence, Islamic history, Islamic social laws (including marriage, divorce, contracts, and inheritance), Islamic finance, basic tenets and aqeedah of the Islamic faith and tawheed, and Arabic grammar as it relates to the Qur'an and Islamic texts. The books are compilations of questions and responses about Islam, from both Muslims and Non-Muslims. The responses are handled mainly by internationally re-nowned Islamic shaykhs and scholars, including Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, Ibn Katheer, al-Albaani, Shaykh Ibn Baaz, Ibn al-Jawzi, Ibn al-Qayyim, Al‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al-Salaam, al-Nawawi, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Kareem, al Khudayr, Al-Dhahabi, al-Qurtubi, Al-Sindi, al-Shawkaani and al-Bastawi using only authentic, scholarly sources based on the Qur'an and sunnah. References, which include Haashiyat Ibn Maajah, Sharh Saheeh Muslim, Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 1

Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Da’eefah, Al-Mawsoo’ah fi Ahaadeeth al-Mahdi al-Da’eefah wa’l-Mawdoo’ah, Al-Manaar al-Muneef and Fataawa Islamiyyah, are provided where appropriate in the responses. The book provides the reader with cross references of other pertinent responses not necessarily in the same volume, but also in other volumes of the series. However, each volume is complete in itself. The book records accurately the answers the contributing Sheikhs and scholars gave to the questions put to them. These are not necessarily the answers which other sheikhs and scholars would have given. Depending on circumstances, for example, Islam permits different solutions to some questions The book also provides the reader with cross-references to other pertinent responses not necessarily in the same volume, but also in other volumes of the series. However, each volume is complete in itself. It is intended that this present series of Books will cover the following subject areas (insha-Allah): Aqeedah (Basic Tenets of Faith); Usool ul-Fiqh (Science of evidence that serve a basis for Fiqh), Fiqh (Jurisprudence and Islamic Rulings), Da'wah (Inviting others to Islam), Aadaab (Manners), Akhlaaq (Character and Morals), Tareekh wa ul Seerah (Islamic history and biography), Tarbiyyah (Pedagogy, education, and upbringing) and Mashakil Nafsiyah wa Ijtimaa'yah (Psychological & Social Problems). May Allah reward the owners and maintainers of www.islamqa.com for granting me full, exclusive, assignable and transferable rights to use and display all the questions and answers needed for the compilation of these books. May Allah grant everyone involved in the promotion of this project good in this world and the Hereafter and protection from the fire of hell.

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Part 1 43270: Ruling on saying that the attitude of the kuffaar is better than the attitude of the Muslims Question: Is it permissible for a Muslim to say that some of the kuffaar have a better attitude than some of the Muslims?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. If you say that the attitude of the kuffaar is better than the attitude of the Muslims – in absolute terms – then this is haraam, no doubt about it. In fact the one who says that should be asked to repent, because the most important attitude is a person’s attitude towards Allaah, and correct etiquette towards Him means not worshipping anyone other than Him. This attitude is to be found only among the Muslims and not others, and this general usage includes all the Muslims, and there must be some of them who have a proper Islamic attitude and follow the laws of Allaah. But preferring the attitude of some of the kaafirs to the attitude of some Muslims is a mistake, because the bad attitude of the kuffaar towards their Lord, may He be exalted, and their Prophets (peace be upon them) is bad enough. They insulted Allaah and claimed that He has a son, and they slandered their Prophets and told lies about them. What good can their attitude towards people do them when their attitude towards their Lord is among the worst of attitudes? Moreover, how can we look at the attitude of ten or one hundred kaafirs, and determine from that that their attitude is good, and forget the attitude of most of the Jews and Christians? How often have they betrayed the Muslims, how often have they destroyed their homes, how often have they tempted them away from their 3

religion, how often have they destroyed their wealth [?], how often have they plotted and conspired against them? The good attitude of a few of them does not count against the bad attitude of most of them, let alone the fact that this good attitude of their serves the same purpose, for they only want to benefit themselves and serve their own worldly interests, in most cases. Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about someone who was comparing Muslim workers to nonMuslim workers. He said: the non-Muslims are honest and I can trust them, and their demands are few and their work is good, but those (Muslims) are the exact opposite – so what is your opinion? He said: They are not Muslims in the true sense of the word even though they claim to be Muslims. Those who are Muslims in the true sense of the word are better and more honest and more sincere than the kuffaar. What you said is a mistake and you should not say it. If the kuffaar are honest with you and fulfil their trusts so as to get what they want from you and to take jobs from our Muslim brothers, this is their only goal. They may pretend to be serving your interests but in fact they are only serving their own interests so that they can take money and so that you will prefer them. What you have to do is only employ good Muslims. If you see Muslims who are not righteous then advise them and guide them. Then if they follow the right path, all well and good, otherwise you should send them back to their countries and bring others. Ask the agent who chooses employees for you to choose good people who are known to be honest, and who are known to pray and be righteous, and not to choose just anyone. Undoubtedly this is a trick of the Shaytaan, whereby he says to you: These kaafirs are better than the Muslims, or are more honest, and so on. All of that is because the enemy of Allaah and his troops know of the great evil that results from employing kuffaar instead of Muslims. So he makes that idea attractive to them and 4

encourages them to employ non-Muslims and leave the Muslims, and even to employ enemies of Allaah, thus giving precedence to this world over the Hereafter. There is no power and no strength except with Allaah. I have even heard that some of them say that the Muslims pray and miss work because of their prayers, and the kuffaar do not pray so they do more work. This is like what we have mentioned above; it is a very serious matter to regard the Muslims’ prayer as something objectionable and to employ kaafirs because they do not pray. Whatever happened to faith and piety? Whatever happened to fear of Allaah? How can you criticize your Muslim brothers for praying? We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound. Fataawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about describing the kuffaar as honest, trustworthy and good workers. He replied: Even if that is true, their lies, deceit, betrayal and theft are far worse than what is found in some Muslim countries. This is well known. If it is true, these are qualities that are advocated by Islam, and the Muslims should be striving harder to acquire these characteristics so that they may acquire a good attitude as well as earning reward. But the kuffaar only aim to achieve material gains by means of these attitudes, so they are honest in their dealings so as to attract others to them. But if the Muslim acquires these characteristics, in addition to material purposes he also seeks to fulfil a shar’i aim, which is to acquire faith and earn reward from Allaah. This is the difference between the Muslim and the kaafir. With regard to the claims about honesty in kaafir countries – whether eastern or western – if this is true, it is only a little of goodness in comparison to the great evil, even if it is nothing more than the fact that they deny the rights of the One Whose rights are the greatest of all, namely Allaah – may He be exalted 5

and glorified. “joining others in worship with Allaah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed” [Luqmaan 31:13 – interpretation of the meaning]. No matter how much good these kaafirs may do, it is still greatly outweighed by their bad deeds, kufr and wrongdoing, so there is no goodness in them. Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 3. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: The help of the ahl aldhimmah (non-Muslims living under Muslim rule) should not be sought in government work or record-keeping, because that leads to many evil consequences. Ahmad was asked about the report of Abu Taalib with regard to collecting taxes, and he said: Their help should not be sought in anything. Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 5/539 It says in Fath al-‘Ali al-Maalik fi Fatwa ‘ala Madhhab Maalik: Preferring a kaafir to a Muslim is apostasy if that is on the basis of religion, otherwise it is not. (2/348). See also question no. 13350. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 11266: Ruling on taking sinners as friends Question: Is it permissable for a man who practice islam to talk, be friendly, and take a person who is muslim by name alone who drinks alcohol and does not pray as a friend and a helper? what is the ruling regarding taking those who do not practice their religion and go directly agains allah’s commandments as friends and helpers?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Sins are of two types: 6

1 – Those which constitute kufr and put a person beyond the pale of Islam – we seek refuge with Allaah. The one who commits such sins is a kaafir who is beyond the pale of Islam if the conditions for describing him as a kaafir are met and there are no impediments to doing so – such as one who associates others in worship with Allaah, or does not pray at all, and so on. 2 – Sins which do not constitute kufr and do not put a person beyond the pale of Islam, but the one who does them is described as faasiq (rebellious evildoer) and a believer who is lacking in faith, such as zina (illicit sexual relationships), drinking alcohol and so on, if he does not regard these actions as permissible. If he does regard them as permissible, then this puts him beyond the pale of Islam, if the conditions for describing him as a kaafir are met and there are no impediments to doing so. The belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah and the consensus of the salaf is that a person who commits a major sin but does not regard it as permissible is not to be regarded as a kaafir. For more information see the answer to question no. 9924. Once this is understood, then the ruling on making friends with people is based on the above. It is not permissible to take kaafirs as close friends, or to mix with them and feel friendly towards them, or to live amongst them and take them as friends, or to love them, or to prefer them over the believers and so on. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rooh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allaah is

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pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the party of Allaah. Verily, it is the party of Allaah that will be the successful” [al-Mujaadilah 58:22] But we are obliged to treat them fairly and justly, and not wrong them or commit acts of aggression against them with no shar’i reason. It is permissible to interact with them by buying, selling, lending, etc. It is narrated in saheeh reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) borrowed a weapon from Safwaan ibn Umayyah, and that he bought food from the Jews. With regard to sinning Muslims, we should love them according to the faith that they have, and hate them according to the sins and immoral actions they commit, but being friends with them goes against the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “The likeness of a good companion and a bad companion is that of a perfume seller and one who works the bellows. With the perfume seller, either he will give you something or you will buy something from him, or you will notice a good smell from him, but with the one who works the bellows, either he will burn your clothes or you notice a bad smell from him.” Narrated by Muslim, no. 2628. But if the intention behind sitting with this person is to soften his heart and call him to Allaah, and guide him to the right path, then this is a virtuous action, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And who is better in speech than he who [says: “My Lord is Allaah (believes in His Oneness),” and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allaah’s (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds” [Fussilat 41:33] But this is subject to the condition that he should not have any effect on you or cause you any harm when you are seeking good.

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Based on the above, if the person you are asking about does not pray at all, then he is a kaafir, because the most correct scholarly view, which is the view of the salaf, if that the one who does not pray is a kaafir in the sense of major kufr, and is beyond the pale of Islam. For more information on the evidence on that, please see questions no. 2182, 5208, 6035, 33007, 10094. Based on this, it is not permissible to befriend him or be close to him, rather he should be called to repent to Allaah and pray regularly. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “But if they repent [by rejecting Shirk (polytheism) and accept Islamic Monotheism], perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah) and give Zakaah, then they are your brethren in religion” [al-Tawbah 9:11] It should be noted that keeping company with good people is something enjoined by our Lord, may He be exalted, and our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as mentioned in the hadeeth quoted above. And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Fear Allaah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)” [al-Tawbah 9:119] “And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face” [al-Kahf 18:28] And Allaah knows best. For more information see Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/31. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 9

38284: The danger of studying in the kaafir schools Question: My daughter goes to public school, in order to help her feel comfortable about her being a muslim among non muslims, I suggested to the teacher that I would do something for the classroom about Ramadan and Eid-el-fitr. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do for the kindergarten class?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Firstly: there is no doubt that staying in the kaafir lands poses a grave danger to the religion and morals of the Muslim. Hence we should beware of that and try to avoid it, and set out conditions which will prevent the Muslim from falling into that great danger. The Muslim who stays in a kaafir country must meet two conditions, as follows: 1 – His religious commitment should be secure, in the sense that he should have sufficient knowledge and faith to give him the strength to remain steadfast in his religious commitment and to avoid going astray. 2 – He should able to practise his religion openly by establishing the symbols of Islam with no impediment. Otherwise it is not permissible for him to stay there and he must migrate (hijrah) in that case. Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, when discussing the different categories of people with regard to migration: The first group is those for whom migration is obligatory; these are the ones who are able to migrate and who are not able to practise their religion openly, who are not able to establish the duties of Islam whilst remaining among the kuffaar. These people have to migrate because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 10

“Verily, as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): ‘In what (condition) were you?’ They reply: ‘We were weak and oppressed on the earth.’ They (angels) say: ‘Was not the earth of Allaah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?’” [al-Nisa’ 4:97] This is a stern warning which indicates that migrating is obligatory. Establishing the duties of Islam is obligatory for the one who is able to do that, and migration (hijrah) is a necessary part of these obligatory duties: whatever is essential to the fulfillment of an obligatory duty is also obligatory. See al-Mughni, 8/457; Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/ 25-30 Whatever is essential to the fulfillment of an obligatory duty is also obligatory. But there are some cases in which it is permissible for a Muslim to stay in a kaafir country. Please see question no. 13363 2 – For those who stay among the kuffaar for a reason, such as studying, the danger is even greater, because the student feels a need for his teacher, which may lead to him being friendly towards him and pretending to approve of his ways. Moreover, the student usually feels inferior to his teacher, then he starts to venerate him and adopt his views. Moreover the student will inevitably have friends during his period of study. For all of these reasons we must be very cautious indeed, and in this case in addition to the conditions mentioned above there are other conditions, which include the following: 1 – The student should be very mature, so that he can distinguish between truth and falsehood. Hence sending students who are

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very young involves a serious danger to their religious commitment, morals and beliefs. 2 – The student should have sufficient knowledge of Islam to be able to distinguish truth from falsehood, lest he become confused and be deceived by them. 3 – He should have enough religious commitment and faith to protect him against kufr and immorality, because those who are weak in these areas will not be safe. 4 – He should have a need for the knowledge for which he is going there, in the sense that learning this will serve the interests of the Muslims and there is no equivalent available in Muslim schools, otherwise it is not permissible for him to stay among the kuffaar. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I disavow myself of any Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2645; al-Tirmidhi, 1604; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Irwa’, 1207. For all these reasons it is essential to be cautious with regard to this matter, especially when sending the young to their schools and even kindergartens, because that poses a threat to their behaviour and morals. You are well aware that the danger to your children is not restricted to their joining them in their festivals, rather the danger is there simply because of their mixing with them and living among them. So you, as a father, have to be wise in that and understand these dangers, and protect your children from being contaminated with their ideas or being influenced by them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell)…” [al-Tahreem 66:6] 12

Your children are a trust that have been given to you; if you can educate them only in Islamic school or with Muslim teachers, then do so, and it is better to err on the side of caution. Beware of everything that could damage their religious commitment and behaviour. I ask Allaah to help you and to protect you and to make goodness easy for you wherever it is. And Allaah is the source of strength. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 48966: Greeting a kaafir first Question: Is it permissible for a Muslim to great a non-Muslim first?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about the ruling on greeting non-Muslims. He replied as follows: Greeting a non-Muslim first is haraam and is not permitted, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not initiate the greeting with the Jews and Christians, and if you meet them in the street push them towards the narrowest part of it.” But if they greet us we have to respond to them, because of the general meaning of the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally” [al-Nisa’ 4:86] The Jews used to greet the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah

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be upon him) by saying, “Al-saam ‘alaykum ya Muhammad (Death be upon you, O Muhammad),” praying that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would die. So the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Jews say ‘al-saam ‘alaykum (death be upon you),’ so if they greet you, then say, ‘Wa ‘alaykum (and also upon you).’” If a non-Muslim greets a Muslim by saying “al-saamu ‘alaykum,” then we should respond by saying “wa ‘alaykum (and also upon you).” The fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said “wa ‘alaykum” indicates that if they were saying “al-salaamu ‘alaykum (peace be upon you),” then peace will also be upon them, i.e., whatever they say to us, we say to them. Hence some of the scholars said that if a Jew, Christian or other nonMuslim clearly says “al-salaamu ‘alaykum,” it is permissible for us to say “ ‘alaykum al-salaam (upon you be peace).” Similarly it is not permissible to initiate a greeting such as Ahlan wa sahlan (welcome) and the like, because that is a kind of honouring them. But if they say something like that to us, then we should say something similar to them, because the greeting should be returned in like manner and each person should be given his due. It is well known that the Muslims are higher in status before Allaah, so they should not humiliate themselves in front of non-Muslims by greeting them first. So, in conclusion, it is not permissible for us to greet non-Muslims first, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade that, and because this is a humiliation for the Muslim when he starts to honour a non-Muslim. The Muslim is higher in status before Allaah, so he should not humiliate himself in this manner. But if we are greeted then we should return the greeting in similar terms. Similarly it is not permissible for us to greet them first with words such as Ahlan wa sahlan (welcome), Marhaban (hello) and so on, because that is a kind of honouring them, so it is like initiating the greeting of salaams with them. Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 3/33. 14

If there is a need to greet a kaafir first, there is no sin in that, but it should be something other than the greeting of salaam, such as saying Ahlan wa sahlan or How are you, etc. In that case the greeting is for a reason, not to honour him. See al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah, 25/168. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Zaad alMa’aad (2/424), concerning greeting a kaafir first: A group of scholars said: It is permissible to greet him first if that serves a purpose, or for fear of his harm, or because of blood ties, or for a reason that requires that. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 21694: Guidelines concerning imitation of the kuffaar Question: What are the definitions of imitating the west? Does everything that is modern and new and has come to us from the west imply imitation of them? In other words, when can we say that something is haraam because it is an imitation of the kuffaar?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever imitates a people is one of them.’” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Libaas, 3512. Al-Albaani said in Saheeh Abi Dawood, (it is) hasan saheeh. No. 3401). Al-Munaawi and al-‘Alqami said: i.e., dressing as they dress, following their way of life in clothes and some of the things they do. 15

Al-Qaari said: i.e., whoever imitates the kuffaar, such as in how one dresses, etc., or imitates the evil and immoral people, or the Sufis or the righteous, is one of the people whom he imitates, whether they are good or bad. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem: Imaam Ahmad and others quoted this hadeeth as evidence. This hadeeth at the very least implies that it is haraam to imitate them, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “... And if any amongst you takes them [Jews and Christians] as Awliyaa’ [friends, helpers]), then surely, he is one of them…” [al-Maa’idah 5:51] This is similar to the view of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr who said: “Whoever settles in the land of the mushrikeen and celebrates their Nawroz (new year) and Mahrajaan (festival) and imitates them until he dies will be gathered with them on the Day of Resurrection.” This may be interpreted as referring to absolute imitation which implies kufr and as meaning that imitation in part is therefore haraam; or it may be interpreted as meaning that he is one of them to the extent that he imitates them, whether it is in ideas of kufr, sin or partaking in a ritual. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade imitating the non-Arabs and said, “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” This was also mentioned by alQaadi Abu Ya’laa. This was quoted by more than one of the scholars to show that it is makrooh to imitate forms of dress of the non-Muslims which are not known among the Muslims. See ‘Awn al-Ma’bood Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood. Imitating the kuffaar falls into two categories: Imitation that is haraam and imitation that is permitted: The first type is imitation that is haraam: this means knowingly doing things that are unique characteristics of the religion of the 16

kuffaar and that have not been referred to in our religion. This is haraam and it may be a major sin; in some cases a person may even become a kaafir by doing that, according to the evidence, whether a person does that because he agrees with the kuffaar, or because of his whims and desires, or because of some specious arguments which make him feel that doing it will being him benefit in this world and the next. If it is asked, is the one who does that out of ignorance a sinner, such as one who celebrates Christmas? The answer is that the one who is ignorant is not a sinner because he was unaware, but he has to be told, and if he persists he becomes a sinner. The second type is imitation that is permissible. This means doing something which is not originally taken from the kuffaar, but the kuffaar do it too. This does not involve a prohibition on resembling them, but one may miss out on the benefits of differing from them. Imitating or resembling the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) and others with regard to worldly matters is permissible only when the following conditions are met: 1 – That should not be any of their traditions or rituals by which they are distinguished. 2 – That should not be part of their religion. A matter can be proven to be part of their religion though a trustworthy source, such as an aayah of the Qur’aan or a hadeeth of His Messenger, or via well-established reports, such as the prostration of greeting which was permitted to the previous nations. 3 – That should not be anything in Islam which refers specifically to that matter. If there is a specific reference in Islam, either approving or disapproving of it, then we must follow what our religion says about it. 4 – This resemblance should not lead to going against any of the commands of sharee’ah. 17

5 – That should not involve celebrating any of their festivals. 6 – The resemblance should be only according to what is needed, and no more. See al-Sunan wa’l-Athaar fi’l-Nahy ‘an al-Tashabbuh bi’lKuffaar by Suhayl Hasan, p. 58-59 Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 22181: Accepting a gift with strings attached from a nonMuslim Question: I am a Muslim student studying in America. We are planning to build an Islamic center in the town where I am staying. The university has donated the land where the center is to be built, but they have stipulated a number of conditions in the contract according to which we may get the land and build our center on it. This has made some of the brothers object to accepting this land. These conditions include the following: 1- That the administration of the center be subject to state and university laws. 2- That the university has the right to take back its gift and resume ownership of the land. 3- That the center should not be only for Muslims, rather it should be for Muslims and others. Is it permissible to accept this land under these conditions?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. 18

If the matter is as described, then it is not permissible to accept this gift, because of the evil consequences which will result from implementation of these conditions, such as the subjection of the center to university laws and regulations, which are unknown to the recipients and some of which may go against Islam. The same applies to the subjection of the center to state laws; it is well known that some of their laws go against Islam. Similarly, their stipulation that the center should be for Muslims and others, such as Jews, which means that the Muslims will be building a center in which Christian and Jewish rituals will be observed. This will cause many problems. They have also stipulated that the giver has the right to take back the gift and ownership of the land will revert to the university, and other stipulations mentioned in the contract. This is also contrary to Islamic sharee’ah. And Allaah is the Source of strength. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 16/178-179. (www.islamqa.com) 22182: Are the Christians who exist nowadays the closest to us in love and friendship? Question: In His Book, Allaah says of the Christians (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers (Muslims) the Jews and those who are Al Mushrikoon, and you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims)those who say: ‘We are Christians’” [al-Maa’idah 5:82] It is well known that at present they are extremely hostile towards Islam. So what should our attitude be towards them? Is it permissible to curse them as we are allowed to curse the Jews? This issue is confusing me a great deal. 19

Answer: Praise be to Allaah. The praise mentioned in these verses should not cause any confusion regarding the Christians or make us refrain from cursing them. The description in the verse does not include all Christians, rather it refers to a group among them who responded to the truth and were not too arrogant to follow it. This is what is implied by the context of the verses asked about: “Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers (Muslims) the Jews and those who are Al-Mushrikoon, and you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims) those who say: “We are Christians.” That is because amongst them are priests and monks, and they are not proud. And when they (who call themselves Christians) listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger (Muhammad), you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized. They say: “Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses” [al-Maa’idah 5:82-83 – interpretation of the meaning] These verses are speaking of some Christian people who, when they came to know the truth, became Muslim and declared their faith. The great scholar Ibn al-Qayyim said concerning these verses: What is meant is that the people described here, when they realized that he was the Messenger of Allaah according to the description that they had, they could not stop their eyes from weeping or their hearts from hastening to believe. With regard to cursing those among the Christians who do not believe in Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), there is innumerable definitive evidence which points to 20

that, such as the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim in their Saheehs from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), which says that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, during his final illness: “May Allaah curse the Jews and Christians, for they took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship.” How can they not be cursed when Allaah has described them in His Book as follows? “Surely, they have disbelieved who say: ‘Allaah is the Messiah [‘Eesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary).’” [al-Maa’idah 5:72] “Surely, disbelievers are those who said: ‘Allaah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).’” [al-Maa’idah 5:73] And there are other texts which speak of their kufr (disbelief) and misguidance. Among the verses which speak of their ultimate destiny is the last of the verses in the passage referred to by the questioner, where Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “But those who disbelieved and belied Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they shall be the dwellers of the (Hell) Fire” [al-Maa’idah 5:86] From a fatwa of Shaykh Ibn Ibraaheem. Majallat al-Buhooth alIslamiyyah, 58/36-39. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 46797: Can a Muslim accept a gift from his kaafir brother? Question: What is the ruling on two brothers, one of whom is a Muslim and the other is a mushrik and rich. Is it permissible for the Muslim brother to accept a gift from his kaafir, mushrik brother, or not?.

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Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is permissible for a Muslim to accept a gift from his brother if he is a kaafir or a mushrik, because that may soften his heart and Allaah may guide him to Islam. And Allaah is the Source of strength. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 16/183. (www.islam-qa.com) 21314: Is using the Christian calendar regarded as befriending the kuffaar? Question: Is using the Christian calendar regarded as befriending the kuffaar?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is not regarded as befriending them, but it is regarded as imitating them. The Christian calendar existed at the time of the Sahaabah, but they did not use it, rather they ignored it and used the Hijri calendar. They established the Hijri calendar and did not use the Christian calendar even though it existed at their time. This indicates that the Muslims should be independent of the kaafirs’ customs and traditions, especially since the Christian calendar is a symbol of their religion, because it is based on veneration and celebration of the birth of the Messiah at the turn of the year. This is an innovation introduced by the Christians, which we do not share or follow, so if we use their calendar that means we are imitating them. 22

Praise be to Allaah, we have the Hijri calendar which was established for us by the caliph ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him), in the presence of the Muhaajireen and Ansaar, and this is sufficient for us. Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan, Kitaab al-Muntaqa, 1/257. (www.islam-qa.com) 33691: Ruling on helping a kaafir army against the Muslims Question: A Muslim businessman has been offered a golden opportunity to sell equipment and food or to sign a contract to do maintenance on vehicles and equipment for an army that is waging war against the Muslims. What is the ruling on doing such business?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. The scholars of Islam have stated that it is not permitted to support the kaafirs against the Muslims, and that that is kufr (disbelief) and riddah (apostasy), because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them” [al-Maa’idah 5:51] The fuqaha’ of Islam, the imams of the Hanafi, Maaliki, Shaafa’i and Hanbali madhhabs, and other fuqaha’, have stated in their books that it is haraam to sell them anything that may help them against the Muslims, such as weapons, equipment, riding beasts, etc. So it is not permissible to give them food or to sell them food, drink, water, tents, trucks, vehicles, or to make contracts with them to provide maintenance, transaportation, etc. All of 23

that is haraam and the one who consumes profits on such transactions is consuming haraam things, and the Fire is more fitting for him. It is not permissible to sell them even a date or to give them anything that they can use against their enemies. Whoever does that deserves Hell, and the Fire is more fitting for all evil earnings. Indeed this is one of the most evil of evil things. It is not permissible to give them anything that may give them the slightest help against the Muslims. Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo’: With regard to selling weapons to ahl al-harb (those who wage war against the Muslims), it is haraam according to scholarly consensus. Ibn al-Qayyim said in I’laam al-Muwaqqi’een: Imam Ahmad said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade selling weapons at times of fitnah (tribulation)… It is obvious that selling them is helping others in sin and transgression. This also applies to every sale, rental or exchange that helps people to disobey Allaah, such as selling weapons to kaafirs, aggressors and bandits… or renting one’s house to someone who will set up a place for sin in it, or selling candles to someone who will use them to disobey Allaah, and other actions which help people to do that which Allaah hates and is angry with." In al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (25/153) it says: It is haraam to sell weapons to ahl al-harb (those who are waging war against Islam) or to those who are known as bandits who attack Muslims or who stir up fitnah among them. Al-Hasan alBasri said: It is not permissible for a Muslim to take weapons or horses to the enemies of the Muslims which will strengthen them against the Muslims, or anything that will help them to acquire weapons and horses, because selling weapons to ahl al-harb 24

strengthens them to fight the Muslims and motivates them to declare war and continue fighting. This issue is not the matter of ordinary or minor sins, rather it is a matter that has to do with the basis of ‘aqeedah (belief) and Tawheed (belief in the Oneness of Allaah), and the Muslim’s support and loyalty towards the Religion of Allaah and his disavowal of the enemies of Allaah. This is what was stated by the imams in their books. Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his Fataawa (1/274): The scholars of Islam are unanimously agreed that whoever supports the kaafirs against the Muslims and helps them in any way is a kaafir like them as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)” [al-Maa’idah 5:51]. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 32560 : Farewell parties for kaafirs Question: Is it permissible for us to hold a party to bid farewell to a nonMuslim who was working with us?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Holding a farewell party for a kaafir is a kind of honouring and respecting him, and they do not deserve to be honoured because they have disbelieved in Allaah and offended Him. 25

Imam Ahmad narrated with a saheeh isnaad from Abu Moosa that he said: I said to ‘Umar: “I have a Christian scribe.” He said, ‘What is wrong with you, may Allaah doom you?! Have you not heard that Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other’ [al-Maa’idah 5:51]? Why don’t you employ a haneef (i.e., a Muslim)?” I said: “O Ameer al-Mumineen, I benefit from his writing and his religion is his own affair.” He said: “I will not honour them when Allaah has humiliated them, and I would not want to be close to them when Allaah has cast them away.” See Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/327. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab also said with regard to the Christians in particular: “Humiliate them but do not wrong them, because they have offended Allaah in such a manner that no other people have ever done. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, concerning the ruling on holding a farewell party for a kaafir when his work ends, and the ruling on offering condolences to a kaafir, and the ruling on attending the festivals of the kuffaar: This is a question which includes several issues: 1 – Holding farewell parties for these kaafirs is undoubtedly a kind of honouring them and showing regret that they are leaving. All of that is haraam for the Muslim. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not initiate the greeting of salaam with the Jews and Christians, and if you meet them in the road push them towards the narrowest part of it.” The person who truly believes cannot honour any of the enemies of Allaah, and the kuffaar are the enemies of Allaah according to the text of the Qur’aan. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Whoever is an enemy to Allaah, His Angels, His Messengers, Jibreel (Gabriel) and Mikaa’eel (Michael), then verily, Allaah is an enemy to the disbelievers” [al-Baqarah 2:98] 26

2 – Offering condolences to a kaafir if one of his loved ones – a friend or relative – dies. There is a difference of opinion among the scholars concerning this issue. Some of the scholars say that it is haraam to offer condolences to them, and some say that it is permissible. Some of them added further details and said that if that serves an interest, such as the hope that they may become Muslim and it may ward off their evil which could not be done except by offering condolences, then it is permissible, otherwise it is haraam. The more correct view is if that offering condolences to them is regarded as a kind of honouring them, then it is haraam, otherwise we should look at what is in the best interests. 3 – Attending their festivals and taking part in their celebrations. If these are religious festivals such as Christmas then it is haraam to attend them, beyond any shadow of a doubt. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: It is not permissible to attend them according to the consensus of the scholars, and this was clearly stated by the fuqaha’ who followed the four imams in their books. And Allaah is the Source of strength. Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 2/303. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

33862: How to treat a wife from among the People of the Book Question: The ayah in surah maida about not taking the jews and christians as awliya does this mean friends or protectors because some people say it means just helpers but in the englishtranslate this to mean friends if it does mean friends how do befriend are nonmuslim wife or treat her accordingto shariah. 27

Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Interacting with Jews, Christians and all other kuffaar is subject to guidelines and regulations that are set out in Islamic sharee’ah. These guidelines include the following: Firstly: It is permissible to speak with the kaafirs and to discuss permissible matters with him. Secondly: It is not permissible to take the kuffaar as close friends (awliya’). Taking them as close friends may happen in many ways, such as mixing with them, feeling comfortable with them, living with them, taking them as close friends, loving them, preferring them over the believers, and so on. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people)” [al-Mujaadilah 58:22] Thirdly: It is permissible to interact with the kuffaar to buy, sell, lend and so on. It was narrated in saheeh reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) borrowed a weapon from Safwaan ibn Umayyah, and that he bought food from the Jews. With regard to how to treat a wife from among the people of the Book (i.e., a Jewish or Christian woman), Allaah says in His Book (interpretation of the meaning): 28

“Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8] So it is permissible to treat a Jewish or Christian wife justly and kindly, and there is nothing wrong with that; it does not come under the heading of the type of close friendship and strong bonds that is forbidden. Al-Kaasaani said in Badaa’i al-Sanaa’i’ (2/270): It is not permissible for a Muslim to marry a mushrik woman, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And do not marry Al-Mushrikaat (idolatresses) till they believe (worship Allaah Alone)” [al-Baqarah 2:221] But it is permissible to marry a woman from among the people of the Book, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “(Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time” [al-Maa’idah 5:5] The difference is that the basic principle is that a Muslim is not permitted to marry a kaafir, because marrying a kaafir woman and mixing with her at the same time when there is religious animosity will not produce the tranquility and love which are the basic purpose of marriage, but it is permitted to marry a woman from among the People of the Book in the hope that she will become Muslim, because she believes in the Books of the Prophets and Messengers in general, but she does not believe in a comprehensive and correct manner, because what she was taught 29

is different from what is real. It is likely that when the facts are pointed out to her, she will accept them. So her husband should call her to Islam and tell her how things really are. So when a Muslim marries such a woman there is the hope that she will become Muslim, so it is permissible to marry them for this purpose. This is unlike the case of a mushrik woman, because by choosing to associate others in worship with Allaah and not to believe in the Prophets and Messengers, this indicates that she does not pay any attention to proof and evidence and will not respond to da’wah, and will rather continue to follow the way of her forefathers and to follow her whims and desires. So there will remain that religious animosity which will not produce the tranquility and love which are the basic purpose of marriage, so it is not permissible to marry such a woman. And he said in Haashiyat al-‘Adawi (1/273): The phrase “we forsake those who disbelieve in You” means we cast aside any positive feelings towards those who worship anyone other than You, and we will not love his way or feel any inclination towards it. But this does mean that we are not allowed to marry a woman from among the people of the Book, because marrying her may attract her to the religion of Islam, as marriage is a type of interacting with others and what is meant here is to hate the way of kufr. For more information please see questions no. 34559, 11793, 10342, 26721, 23325. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 34687: He has become Muslim but he does not want to leave his homeland Question: A man has become Muslim and he loves Islam and its people, and hates shirk and its people. But he has stayed in his country 30

whose people hate Islam and wage war against it and fight the Muslims. It is too hard for him to leave his homeland so he has not migrated. What is the ruling on that?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: It is haraam for this man to stay in this land, and he must migrate. If he does not do that then let him await the punishment of Allaah, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): ‘In what (condition) were you?’ They reply: ‘We were weak and oppressed on the earth.’ They (angels) say: ‘Was not the earth of Allaah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?’ Such men will find their abode in Hell — what an evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way” [al-Nisa’ 4:97-98] If this man is able to migrate, then he must migrate to a Muslim country, then the love of the country from which he migrated will disappear from him heart and he will come to love the Muslim land. But if he cannot leave a land that is fighting Islam and its people just because it is his first homeland, this is haraam and it is not permissible for him to stay there. From Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), 3/32. (www.islam-qa.com) 31

42235: Doesn’t the hadeeth “Do not initiate the greeting with a Jew or Christian” put people off Islam? Question: In a hadeeth narrated by Imam Muslim in his Saheeh from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), it says that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not initiate the greeting with a Jew or a Christian, and if you meet one of them on the road, push him to the narrowest part of it.” But doesn’t doing that put people off entering Islam?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: We should note that the most correct of those who call people to Allaah was the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and the best of those who guide people to Allaah was the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Once this is understood, if we understand the words of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in a manner that does not make sense, then we should question our understanding and realize that the way in which we have understood the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is mistaken. But this does not mean that we should measure the ahaadeeth of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the basis of our understanding, because our minds are imperfect. However, there are basic principles in sharee’ah to which we may refer concerning individual matters. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) says: “Do not initiate the greeting with a Jew or a Christian, and if you meet one of them on the road, push him to the narrowest part of it.” What this means is, do not give them lots of space when you meet them, so that they have plenty of room and you are 32

constricted; rather continue in the direction in which you were headed, and if there is to be any constriction, make it for them. It is well known that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), when he saw the kuffaar (such as the Jews who lived in Madeenah), did not push them so that they ended up against the wall, and neither did his Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) after they conquered other regions. So what is meant is that just as you should not initiate the greeting with them, you should not make way for them if you meet them; rather you should keep going in the direction in which you were headed, and let them be constricted if the road is not wide enough. There is nothing in this hadeeth to put people off Islam, rather it is a manifestation of the pride of the Muslim, and shows that he does not humble himself before anyone except his Lord. From Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), 3/38. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 4163: Being kind to kaafirs with the intention of da’wah Question: What is the ruling on mixing with kaafirs and dealing with them kindly, hoping that they will become Muslim?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Undoubtedly the Muslim is obliged to hate the enemies of Allaah and disavow himself of them, because this is the way of the Messengers and their followers. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 33

“Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraaheem (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever until you believe in Allaah Alone” [al-Mumtahanah 60:4] “You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rooh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself” [al-Mujaadilah 58:22] Based on this, it is nor permissible for a Muslim to feel any love in his heart towards the enemies of Allaah, who are also in fact his enemies. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists) as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth” [al-Mumtahanah 60:1] But if a Muslim treats them kindly hoping that they may become Muslims, there is nothing wrong with that, because this comes under the heading of softening their hearts towards Islam. But if he loses hope of them becoming Muslim, he should treat them in the manner that they deserve. This is explained in detail in the books of the scholars, especially Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah by Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him). From Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/31. (www.islam-qa.com) 34

Part 2 43154: Returning greetings to kaafirs falls into three categories Question: If a kaafir greets a Muslim, should he return his greeting? If he holds out his hand to shake hands, what is the ruling? And what is the ruling on serving him by giving him tea when he is sitting in a chair?.

Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If a kaafir greets a Muslim in a clear manner, and says, “Alsalaamu ‘alaykum (peace be upon you),” then one should say, “Wa ‘alayka al-salaam (and upon you be peace),” because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally” [al-Nisa’ 4:86] But if it is not clear, one should just say, “Wa ‘alayk (and also upon you).” Similarly if his greeting is clear and he says, “Al-saam ‘alaykum (may death be upon you),” then one should say, “Wa ‘alayk (and also upon you).” The three categories are as follows: 35

1 – If he clearly says, “Al-saam ‘alaykum (may death be upon you),” then one should reply, “Wa ‘alaykum (and also upon you).” 2 – If there is some doubt as to whether he said “al-saam (death)” or “al-salaam (peace),” then one should reply, “Wa ‘alaykum (and also upon you).” 3 – If he clearly says, “Al-salaamu ‘alaykum (peace be upon you),” then one should reply, “Wa ‘alaykum al-salaam (and upon you be peace),” because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally” [al-Nisa’ 4:86] Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If the listener is certain that what he said to him was “Al-salaamu ‘alaykum (peace be upon you), and he does not have any doubts about that, should he say, “Wa ‘alayka al-salaam (and upon you be peace)” or should he limit it to “wa ‘alayk (and also upon you).” What is indicated by the evidence and the basic principles of sharee’ah is that one should respond, “Wa ‘alayka al-salaam (and upon you be peace)”, because this comes under the heading of fairness and justice, and Allaah enjoins justice and kindness. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally” [al-Nisa’ 4:86] So He recommends kindness and enjoins justice. This does not contradict any of the ahaadeeth which speak of this issue, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) only enjoined limiting the response to “Wa ‘alaykum” for the reason mentioned above, which is that they used to play with the words in their greeting. Then Ibn al-Qayyim said: Even though the general meaning of the verse is applicable, this refers to the usual 36

words of greeting, not when they are playing with the words. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And when they come to you, they greet you with a greeting wherewith Allaah greets you not, and say within themselves: ‘Why should Allaah punish us not for what we say?’” [al-Mujaadilah 58:8] If this reason does not apply, and the kitaabi (Christian or Jew) says, ‘Al-salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmat-Allaah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah),” then it is only fair and just to respond in a similar manner. Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 200/1 In Saheeh al-Bukhaari it is narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When the Jews greet you, they say, ‘Al-saam ‘alaykum (death be upon you),’ so say, ‘Wa ‘alayk (and also upon you).” If he holds out his hand to shake hands with you, then hold out your hand too, but do not initiate the handshake. With regard to serving a kaafir by giving him tea when he is sitting in a chair, this is makrooh, but there is nothing wrong with putting the cup on the table. From Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), 3/36. (www.islam-qa.com) 42958: He found a kaafir on the road – can he give him a ride? Question: If a person finds a non-Muslim person on the road and he asks him for a ride, what is the ruling? Is it permissible to eat food that has been touched by kaafirs’ hands?. 37

Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If you find a non-Muslim person on the road, there is nothing wrong with you giving him a ride, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8] With regard to eating food touched by the hands of kaafirs, it is permissible, because the naajasah (impurity) of the kaafir is metaphorical not physical. From Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), 3/44. (www.islam-qa.com) 43160: Benefitting from what the kaafirs have Question: How can we benefit from what the kaafirs have without falling into anything forbidden in Islam? Does the concept of masaalih mursalah [things that serve the general interests of the Muslims] come under this heading?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy 38

on him) said: The actions of the enemies of Allaah and our enemies, the kuffaar, fall into three categories: 1 – Acts of worship 2 – Customs 3 – Manufacturing and work With regard to acts of worship, it is well known that it is not permissible for any Muslim to imitate them in their acts of worship. Whoever imitates them in their acts of worship puts himself at great risk and that may lead to him becoming a kaafir who is beyond the pale of Islam. With regard to customs such as dress etc., it is haraam to imitate them because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” With regard to manufacturing and professions: in the case of those which serve a general interest, there is nothing wrong with us learning from what they do and benefitting from it. This does not come under the heading of imitating them, rather it is a kind of sharing in beneficial actions and the one who does that is not regarded as imitating them. With regard to the questioner’s saying, “Does the concept of masaalih mursalah [things that serve the general interests of the Muslims] come under this heading?” we say that masaalih mursalah should not be taken into consideration on its own, rather we say that if we are certain that a particular matter comes under the heading of these things that serve the general interests of the Muslims [masaalih mursalah], then there should be shar’i evidence to that effect, and thus it is part of sharee’ah. But if sharee’ah proves that this matter is not acceptable, then is does not come under the category of masaalih mursalah, even if the one who accepts it claims that it does.

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If it is neither one nor the other, then we should refer to the basic principle. If they are acts of worship, then the basic principle is that acts of worship are forbidden; if they are not acts of worship then the basic principle is that they are permissible. Thus it is clear that this concept of masaalih mursalah cannot be taken into consideration on its own. From Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/40. (www.islamqa.com) 8919: Travelling to kaafir lands unnecessarily Question: I am a fifteen year old girl. My family frequently travels abroad, and they force me to go with them and to take off the abayah and wear other clothes. Even though I cover my legs completely I still feel distressed, but I cannot wear the abayah because I feel embarrassed and people find it odd. What is the solution? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. All of that is no excuse. The right thing is usually something that people find odd, especially those who have grown up following falsehood. You should not travel – if you can avoid it – to the kaafir countries, because when a traveller sees the Europeans and other kaafirs in this bad state, the commandments of Islam start to count for less in his mind and he pays less attention to them. He may find it odd the first time he sees how they are, and he may find it off-putting and hate it, but the more often he sees it, he gets used to it and may even start to like it. So it is not permissible to travel there, no matter what the circumstances, except in cases of necessity. And Allaah knows best. Fataawa al-Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Humayd, p. 22 (www.islamqa.com) 40

4056: Wearing the clothing of the non-Muslims Question: Does wearing the clothing of the non-Muslims have any adverse impact on one’s religious commitment or prayer, or not? Did the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wear what the soldiers wear nowadays of a quba’ (outer garment with long sleeves) and other garments with a narrow lining or not? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is forbidden to imitate the kuffaar in dress or in any other way, because of the well-known saheeh ahaadeeth to that effect. His prayer will count for less. It was reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaari and elsewhere that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wore a quba’ sometimes, and it was reported in alSaheehayn that Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wore a Syrian jubbah (a long outer garment, open in front, with long sleeves) with a narrow lining [?]. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 32564: She is boycotting American goods – should she leave the institute because it teaches American material? Question: I study in an institute for computer courses, and all the materials that I study in the institute come from the American Microsoft company. All the computer programs come from the Jewish American Microsoft company. We have to pay a certain amount each month to study, and the problem is that I chose to specialize 41

in data entry; this is called Oracle and it is a one hundred percent Jewish product. I thought of leaving the institute for this reason, namely that I pay them a monthly amount, part of which is used to buy books from America itself. I thought of leaving the institute because in my view boycotting simple goods like food and drink and perfume, had a great effect, praise be to Allaah. But what is more effective is to boycott major goods. I believe that if I leave the institute I will be cooperating more with my oppressed brothers and sisters in the east and the west.

Answer: Praise be to Allaah. We have previously discussed the idea of an economic boycott and its importance, and that it is a kind of jihad against the enemies of Allaah. That was in the answer to question no. 20732. In certain circumstances there may be reasons why Muslims can engage in business with non-Muslims, some of which have already been discussed in the answer to question no. 6699. We may add here: that if the American or Jewish product is beneficial to the Muslims, and it is not possible to obtain it from Muslim companies or Muslim countries, then there is nothing wrong with buying it, especially if the computer program or technology will benefit the Muslims in other ways and is not simply a product that will be used up. If you hope to gain knowledge and experience from your studies in the computer science institute, then there is nothing wrong with you continuing to study there and benefitting from the program offered in the institute. Similarly there is nothing wrong with you specializing in data entry using Oracle. 42

Let your intention be to benefit the Muslims, and to try to make the most of any branch of knowledge that enables you to do so. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 34559: Muslim and non-Muslim woman visiting one another Question: I have some neighbours who are not Muslims and some others who are Muslim, but I have some reservations about them. What is the ruling on us visiting one another?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. If the visits are for the purpose of offering advice and cooperating in righteousness and piety, then this is something that is good and is enjoined in Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah says, ‘My Love becomes an entitlement for two who love one another for My sake, and two who visit one another for My sake, and two who sit with one another for My sake, and two who are generous to one another for My sake.’” Narrated by Imam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) with a saheeh isnaad. And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are seven whom Allaah will shade with His shade on the Day when there will be no shade but His,” among whom he mentioned, “two men who love one another for the sake of Allaah, meeting and parting on that basis.” The example given is that of two men, but the ruling is general and may apply to two men or two women. If the visit to a Muslim or Christian woman is for the purpose of da’wah, calling them to Allaah, and teaching them and guiding them to good things, and not for the purpose of worldly ambitions or 43

taking the commands of Allaah lightly, then this is all good. If a Muslim woman visits her sister in Allaah and advises her to avoid tabarruj (wanton display) and unveiling, and to avoid being careless with regard to all the sins that Allaah has forbidden, or she visits a neighbour who is Christian or otherwise, such as a Buddhist etc., to advise her and teach her, this is something good and comes under the heading of the Prophet’s words, “Religion is sincerity (naseehah), religion is sincerity, religion is sincerity.” If she accepts the advice, then praise be to Allaah; if she does not then you should give up the visits which do not serve any useful purpose. With regard to visits for worldly purposes such as leisure, idle talk or eating etc., it is not permissible to make such visits to kaafir women, whether they are Christian or otherwise, because this may lead to corruption of one’s religious commitment or morals, as the kaafirs are enemies to us, so we should not take them as close friends. But if the visit is for the purpose of daw’ah, calling them to Allaah, encouraging good and warning against evil, then this is something that is necessary, as stated above. And Allaah says in Soorat al-Mumtahanah (interpretation of the meaning): “Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraaheem (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever until you believe in Allaah Alone’” [al-Mumtahanah 60:4] Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah by Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 4, p. 378 (www.islam-qa.com) 44

11793: Being friends with non-Muslims Question: I’m a student and a brother who is in the mist of both muslims and non muslims. Usually on Fridays I’m with the muslims but during other days and at university I’m with the non muslims. My problem is I tend to spend alot of time with them and with the temptation around me I don’t know what to do the women. I don’t drink or even smoke but when it come to women I’m weak and its because of my Islamic attitude they tend to find me nice compared to my other friends. I only wish I knew muslim sisters because I really respect them so I would have been able to time talking to them(from an Islamic perspective) and would not have to spend time with the non muslim women. I have been trying for a very long time but sometimes trying is not just enough. Please advice. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Your question made me very happy, because it is indicative – in sha Allaah – of the sincerity of your faith in Allaah, and of your keenness and eagerness to adhere completely to that which Allaah has enjoined upon you. You raise a number of issues in your question: 1 – You are mixing with Muslims and non-Muslims. You should note that a Muslim’s relationship with Muslims is different from his relationship with others. That is because the Muslim must take his fellow-Muslim as a close friend, so that he loves him and respects him, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “The believers, men and women, are Awliyaa’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) AlMa‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from AlMunkar (i.e. 45

polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah), and give the Zakaah, and obey Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah will have His Mercy on them. Surely, Allaah is All-Mighty, AllWise” [al-Tawbah 9:71] Your Muslim brothers have rights over you that you must fulfil, but this is not the place to explain that in detail. You can study some of these rights in the answer to question no. 11413. With regard to non-Muslims, the Muslim should disavow himself of them, and he should not feel any love in his heart towards them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists) as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, this Qur’aan, and Muhammad), and have driven out the Messenger (Muhammad) and yourselves (from your homeland) because you believe in Allaah your Lord! If you have come forth to strive in My Cause and to seek My Good Pleasure, (then take not these disbelievers and polytheists, as your friends). You show friendship to them in secret, while I am AllAware of what you conceal and what you reveal. And whosoever of you (Muslims) does that, then indeed he has gone (far) astray from the Straight Path” [al-Mumtahanah 60:1] “Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraaheem (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever until you believe in Allaah Alone’” [al-Mumtahanah 60:4] 46

But this does not mean that a Muslim cannot interact with them in a nice manner that will encourage them to enter Islam, so long as that is within the guidelines of sharee’ah, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8] The Muslim should strive hard to call non-Muslims to Islam through all possible permissible means, in the hope that they may benefit from that and respond, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’aan) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided” [al-Nahl 16:125] “And who is better in speech than he who [says: ‘My Lord is Allaah (believes in His Oneness),’ and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allaah’s (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: ‘I am one of the Muslims’” [Fussilat 41:33] Muslim narrated in his Saheeh (2674) from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever calls people to guidance will have a reward like the reward of those who follow him, without that detracting from their rewards in the slightest, and whoever calls people to misguidance will have a burden of sin like the burden of those who follow him, without that detracting from their sins in the slightest.” 47

2 – You tend to spend a great deal of your time with non-Muslims, and you say that this is a problem. It is indeed a problem because when a Muslim mixes with non-Muslims in a non-Muslim society and feels inclined to like them, this is something that can have an effect on his beliefs, religious commitment and morals (especially since you mention that you do not drink alcohol or smoke – which is a blessing from Allaah to you – from which it may be understood that these things are common among those people). Hence the texts of sharee’ah warn against mixing with and befriending nonMuslims. Allaah has commanded us to migrate from the kaafir lands to the lands of Islam, as He says: “Verily, as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): ‘In what (condition) were you?’ They reply: ‘We were weak and oppressed on the earth.’ They (angels) say: ‘Was not the earth of Allaah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?’ Such men will find their abode in Hell — what an evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way” [al-Nisa’ 4:97-98] Abu Dawood narrated in his Sunan (2645) and al-Tirmidhi narrated in his Jaami’ (1640) from the hadeeth of Jareer ibn ‘AbdAllaah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I disavow myself of every Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen.” They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, why?” He said, “Their fires should not be visible to one another”. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Irwa’, 1207. Ibn al-Qayyim said in Tahdheeb al-Sunan (‘Awn, 7/304): “What we learn from this hadeeth is that when people settle down in place, the first they do is to light a fire, and this fire may encourage 48

others to come and join them, and anyone who comes near the fire is going to feel at ease with the people whose fire it is. The gathering around the fire of the mushrikeen is a gathering that calls people to the way of the Shaytaan and to Hellfire, because they gather only for the purpose of committing sin. The gathering of the believers around their fire is the gathering that calls people to Allaah and to obey Him and to make His religion prevail. So how can the two fires or the two gatherings be in harmony when this is the case? This is the most eloquent of metaphors, which contains a profound meaning in the most concise phrases.” Abu Dawood (2787) narrated from Samurah ibn Jundub that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever joins a mushrik and lives with him is like him.” This was also narrated by al-Haakim (2/141) with a different isnaad; his version says: “Do not live with the mushrikeen and do not join them, for whoever lives with them or joins them is not one of us.” This hadeeth was classed as hasan by al-Albaani in al-Saheehah, 2330, when the two isnaads are taken together. Imam Ahmad (4/365) and al-Nasaa’i (4177) narrated that Jareer said: “I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) whilst he was accepting the people’s oaths of allegiance, and I said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, give me your hand so that I may give you my oath of allegianc., and you may stipulate your conditions, for you know best.’ He said, ‘I accept your allegiance on the basis that you worship Allaah, establish regular prayer, pay the zakaah, are sincere towards the Muslims and you forsake the mushrikeen.’” This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Saheehah, 636. These texts indicate that the basic principle is that the Muslim should not settle among the kuffaar in their countries, and that he is obliged to move from those lands to the Muslim lands. An exception is made from that if his staying there is necessary, but necessity should not be blown out of proportion. If he Muslim has to be with them (the non-Muslims) physically, he should not 49

be with them in his heart, and he must avoid mixing with them unnecessarily. What you must do is to look for righteous friends among the Muslims who can help you to learn your religion and adhere to it. You must fill your spare time with reading Qur’aan and reading useful books about the biography of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions, and about the rulings, etiquette and morals of Islam; and with remembering Allaah (dhikr). Ibn al-Qayyim said in al-Waabil al-Sayyib (86), when listing the benefits of dhikr: “It is the easiest of acts of worship, but it is one of the best. Moving the tongue is easier than moving the limbs. If any part of a person’s body were to move as much as his tongue does, night and day, that would be extremely difficult for him.” You can also make use of your time by listening to useful tapes and by surfing useful sites on the Internet. Something else that will help you to stop mixing with nonMuslims is to remember that these kaafirs – even though they may have good manners and some good qualities – also do a number of seriously wrong things, any one of which is sufficient to nullify any good deeds that they may do. Among these evil things is the belief of the Christians – for example – that God is one of three (trinity), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Surely, disbelievers are those who said: ‘Allaah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).’ But there is no Ilaah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilaah (God —Allaah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall on the disbelievers among them” [al-Maa’idah 5:73] The other kaafir nations all attribute partners to Allaah, or else they do not believe in God at all. 50

The kuffaar in general do not believe in the Qur’aan or in the message of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), rather they reject the Qur’aan and they reject our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him); so how can a Muslim be inclined towards them with their kufr and misguidance? Even if they give you some of your rights by treating you nicely, they do not give Allaah His rights and they do not give the Qur’aan its rights and they do not give our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) his rights. The rights of Allaah and His Book and His Prophet are more important than our personal rights. Remember this, for this is one of the things that will help you to hate them and regard them as enemies until they believe in Allaah alone, as mentioned in the aayah quoted above (interpretation of the meaning): “Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraaheem (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever until you believe in Allaah Alone’” [al-Mumtahanah 60:4] But we reiterate that there is nothing to stop the Muslim from treating them kindly within the limits set by sharee’ah, especially if they are among those who treat us well. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Is there any reward for good other than good?” [al-Rahmaan 55:60] 3 – With regard to your mixing with non-Muslim girls, and your desire to get to know Muslim girls. You should note that one of the basic aims of Islamic sharee’ah is to protect people’s honour. Our sharee’ah has enjoined many rules and regulations to achieve 51

this noble aim. One of the teachings of Islam is the segregation of men and women even in the mosque, which is the best and noblest of places. Muslim narrated in his Saheeh (440) from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best rows for men are the front rows and the worst are the back rows. The best rows for women are the back rows and the worst are the front rows.” Al-Nawawi said in Sharh Saheeh Muslim (4/159): “What is meant by the worst rows for men and women is those which are least in reward and virtue, and the furthest removed from the shar’i aim. The best rows are the opposite. Rather the last row is the best for the women who are present with the men because it is farthest removed from mixing with the men, from seeing them and from becoming attracted to them when seeing their movements and hearing their speech and so on. The front row for the women is condemned for the opposite reasons. And Allaah knows best.” Al-Bukhaari narrated in his Saheeh (837) that Umm Salamah said: “When the women stood up after the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) finished saying the salaam (at the end of the prayer), he would wait for a little while before standing up.” Al-Zuhri said: “I think – and Allaah knows best – that he waited so that the women could disperse before the people (i.e., the men) could catch up with them.” If Islam teaches that men and women should be segregated in the mosques – which are the best and noblest of places – then it is even more appropriate that they be segregated elsewhere. Moreover, learning is one of the noblest of aims, but sharee’ah also insisted that women should be segregated from men even this situation. Al-Bukhaari (101) and Muslim (2633) narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri said: A woman came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, the men have taken all your time. Give us (women) a day when we can come to you and you can teach us what Allaah has taught you.” He said, “Gather together on such 52

and such a day.” So they gathered, and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to them and taught them what Allaah had taught him…” (This version was narrated by Muslim). And Muslim (885) narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said: I attended Eid prayers with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He began the prayer before the khutbah, without any adhaan or iqaamah, then he stood, leaning against Bilaal, and enjoined fear of Allaah and urged us to obey Him. He preached to the people and reminded them. Then he went over to the women and preached to them and reminded them. Another of the teachings of Islam in this regard is that Allaah has commanded men and women to lower their gaze. It is not permissible for a Muslim to look at a woman who is not his mahram, or for a woman to look at a man who is not her mahram. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allaah is AllAware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent…” [al-Noor 24:30-31] Muslim narrated in his Saheeh (2159) that Jareer ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said: “I asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about an accidental glance, and he told me to avert my gaze.” Abu Dawood (2149) and al-Tirmidhi (2777) narrated from Buraydah ibn al-Haseeb that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to ‘Ali: “O ‘Ali, do not follow one 53

glance with another. You are permitted the first, but not the second.” This hadeeth was classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Jilbaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, p. 77 Islam also forbids a man to be alone with a non-mahram woman, and it forbids a man to shake hands with a woman who is not his mahram, and there are other rulings which we do not have room to go into in detail here. [For more information please refer to the answers to Questions nos. 2459, 2986, 9989] These rulings apply in the case of both Muslim and non-Muslim women, unless they are the mahrams of the man. Based on this, you must avoid mixing with non-mahram women, even if they are Muslim, and you should not respond to the deviant thoughts that the Shaytaan tries to put in your mind, such as the fact that some girls admire you and so on. Make earning the pleasure of Allaah your goal. Al-Tirmidhi (2414) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever seeks to please Allaah by angering the people, Allaah will suffice him against the people, but whoever seeks to please the people by angering Allaah, Allaah will leave him to the people.” This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by alAlbaani in al-Saheehah, 2311. My brother, note that you may find this difficult to apply at first, but you must strive against your whims and desires. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “As for those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will surely guide them to Our Paths. And verily Allaah is with the Muhsinoon (good doers)” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:69] You have to endure and be more patient, and seek reward with Allaah, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Endure and be more patient (than your 54

enemy), and guard your territory by stationing army units permanently at the places from where the enemy can attack you, and fear Allaah, so that you may be successful” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:200] You should note that if you are keen to fear and obey Allaah, you will ultimately find a way out from every difficulty, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty)” [al-Talaaq 65:2] Everything that you used to find difficult will become easy, for Allaah can make any hard thing easy if He wills. Moreover, others will see that you are adhering to the commands of your religion, which will make them respect you. Finally, I urge you to call upon Allaah and make a lot of du’aa’, especially at the times and in the places where du’aa’s are answered, such as when prostrating, and before saying the salaam at the end of prayer, and in the last third of the night, and between the adhaan and iqaamah. Pray to Allaah to make you steadfast in Islam, and seek the help of Allaah to adhere to His commands and to keep away from disobedience. I ask Allaah to grant you a way out from every difficulty and worry. May Allaah be with you. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 20471: Can she sit and eat with a Muslim woman who does not pray? Question: Please tell me whether Muslims can socialize with Muslims who do not pray at all in Islamic functions and weddings where they

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have been invited. Furthermore can we drink and eat from the same cups and plates. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Whoever does not pray at all is a kaafir and is not a Muslim, as is explained in the answer to question no. 5208. Based on that, the woman mentioned in the question is not a Muslim, so it is obligatory to forsake her and not sit with her, unless that is for the purpose of encouraging her to repent and turn to Allaah by performing the prayers and doing so regularly. It says in a fatwa issued by the Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas: “Whoever deliberately does not pray and denies that it is obligatory is a kaafir, according to scholarly consensus. If he does not pray because he is neglectful and lazy, then he is a kaafir according to the correct scholarly view. Based on that, it is not permissible to sit with those people, rather they should be shunned and ties broken off with them, after explaining to them that their not praying constitutes kufr, if you think that they are unaware of this ruling. It was narrated in a saheeh report that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The covenant that differentiates between us and them is prayer; whoever neglects it is a kaafir.” This includes both the one who denies that it is obligatory and the one who does not do it because he is lazy. And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family.” From Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/373 With regard to eating and drinking from the same vessels that she uses, the ruling is the same as the ruling on the vessels of the kuffaar. It is permissible for the Muslim to use the vessels of the kuffaar if he knows that nothing haraam has been put in them, 56

such as alcohol and pork. It was proven in al-Saheehayn (alBukhaari, 344; Muslim, 682) from the hadeeth of ‘Imraan ibn Husayn that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions used water from the haversack of a mushrik woman. But if you are certain or you think it most likely that they have used them for any haraam things, then you have to wash them before using them, because it was proven in al-Saheehayn (alBukhaari, 5496; Muslim, 1930) from the hadeeth of Abu Tha’labah al-Khushani who said: I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, we are in the land of the people of the Book, and we use their vessels for our food…” … The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) replied: “With regard to what you mentioned about your being in the land of the people of the Book and using their vessels for your food, if you find vessels other than theirs, then do not use their vessels for your food, but if you cannot find anything else, wash them and then use them for your food.” This version was narrated by Muslim. For more information see Fath al-Baari by Ibn Hajar: 1/453; alSharh al-Mumti’ by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 1/67-69. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 26118: Being friends with Christians and gays Question: I’m a muslim who has quite alot of Christian friends, both male and female. There is 1 friend in particular who I’m really good friends with and recently I discovered that they were gay. I don’t want to treat them differently because of this but I would like to know if it is haraam to have a gay friend?.

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Answer: Praise be to Allaah. The Muslim must strive to find good friends who will help him to do good, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The likeness of a righteous companion and an evil companion is that of one who carries musk and one who works a bellows. With the one who carries musk, either he will give you some or you will buy from him or you will notice a pleasant fragrance from him. With the one who work a bellows, either he will burn your clothes or you will notice a foul odour from him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5534; Muslim, 2628, from Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari, may Allaah be pleased with him). It is not permissible for a Muslim to make (close) friends with Christians or other kaafirs. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)” [al-Maa’idah 5:51] “O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:118] al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 58

This is a warning from Allaah to His slaves not to make (close) friends with the kuffaar and take them as close confidantes or best friends. Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 198 The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “You should not make friends with anyone but a believer and no one should eat your food but one who is pious.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4832; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 4045 And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A man will follow the religion of his close friend, so let each of you look to who he takes a close friend.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2378; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1937 So stop keeping company with Christians and replace them with Muslim friends, and try to make friends with righteous people. You should note that it is not permissible for a man to keep company with females or with homosexuals, whether they are Muslims or Christians, because of the fitnah (temptation) involved in that, and because it also involves things that are forbidden in sharee’ah, such as being alone with them, shaking hands with them and things that are more serious than that. I ask Allaah to protect us all from fitnah. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 6699: What is the ruling on buying from the kuffaar when there are Muslims around? Question: What is the ruling on Muslims who do not cooperate with one 59

another because they do not want to buy from Muslims and they prefer to buy from the kuffaar’s stores? Is this halaal or haraam? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. The basic principle is that it is permissible for a Muslim to buy what he needs of that which Allaah has permitted from a Muslim or from a kaafir. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) bought from Jews. But when a Muslim chooses not to buy from his Muslim brother for no reason, i.e., he has not been cheated or deceived, and the goods are not of poor quality, and he simply prefers to buy from a kaafir rather than from a Muslim with no justification – this is haraam, because it weakens the trade of the Muslims and makes them lose sales if this becomes a habit among the Muslim (consumers). But if he does not buy from him for a reason such as those mentioned above, then he should advise his Muslim brother to give up the bad things he is doing. If he accepts the advice, then praise be to Allaah, otherwise he should leave him alone and go to someone else, even if he is a kaafir, if he is honest and the transactions are to the mutual benefit of both parties. From Fataawaa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 13/18 (www.islamqa.com) 4839: The problem of Muslims’ linguistic assimilation in foreign countries Question: We Muslims who live in foreign countries are faced with the problem of linguistic assimilation, whereby we speak the language of the Kuffaar in the west in a conscious or unconscious effort to get along with the people around us, and because we are influenced by the environment we are in. What is the Islamic view of this problem, and how can we overcome it? 60

Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Shaykh al-Islam Ahmad ibn ‘Abd al-Haleem ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) spoke very effectively about this problem, explaining its seriousness and effects, and the Islamic viewpoint concerning it. This is what he said: “As for becoming accustomed to talking to one another in a language other than Arabic, which is the symbol of Islam and the language of the Qur’aan, so that this becomes a habit in the land, with one’s family and household members, with one’s friends, in the marketplace, when addressing government representatives or authority figures or when speaking to people of knowledge, undoubtedly this is makrooh (disliked), because it involves being like the non-Arabs, which is makrooh, as stated previously. Hence when the early Muslims went to live in Syria and Egypt, where the people spoke Byzantine Greek, and in Iraq and Khurasaan, where the people spoke Farsi, and the Maghrib (North Africa) where the people spoke Berber, they taught the people of those countries to speak Arabic, so that Arabic became the prevalent language in those lands, and all the people, Muslim and kaafir alike, spoke Arabic. Such was also the case in Khurasaan in the past, then they became lax with regard to the language and got used to speaking Farsi until it became prevalent and Arabic was forgotten by most of them. Undoubtedly this is makrooh. The best way is to become accustomed to speaking Arabic so that the young people will learn it in their homes and schools, so that the symbol of Islam and its people will prevail. This will make it easier for the people of Islam to understand the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and the words of the Salaf, unlike a person who gets used to speaking one language, then wants to learn another, and finds it difficult.

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Know that being used to using a language has a clear and strong effect on one’s thinking, behaviour and religious commitment. It also has an effect on making one resemble the early generations of this Ummah, the Sahaabah and Taabi’een. Being like them improves one’s thinking, religious commitment and behaviour. Moreover, the Arabic language itself is part of Islam, and knowing Arabic is an obligatory duty. If it is a duty to understand the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and they cannot be understood without knowing Arabic, then the means that is needed to fulfil the duty is also obligatory. There are things which are obligatory on all individuals (fard ‘ayn), and others which are obligatory on the community or ummah (fard kifaayah, i.e., if some people fulfil them the rest are relieved of the obligation). This is the meaning of the report narrated by Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah who said: ‘Eesa ibn Yoonus told us from Thawr from ‘Umar ibn Yazeed that ‘Umar wrote to Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari (may Allaah be pleased with him) and said: ‘learn the Sunnah and learn Arabic; learn the Qur’aan in Arabic for it is Arabic.’ According to another hadeeth narrated from ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him), he said: ‘Learn Arabic for it is part of your religion, and learn how the estate of the deceased should be divided (faraa’id) for these are part of your religion.’ This command of ‘Umar, to learn Arabic and Sharee’ah, combines the things that are needed, for religion involves understanding words and actions. Understanding Arabic is the way to understand the words of Islam, and understanding the Sunnah is the way to understand the actions of Islam…” (Iqtidaa’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem, 2/207) In addition to the above, we advise the following: Muslims should strive – along with their families and children – to speak Arabic in their homes and gatherings. Parents should 62

set the example for their children within the home, and sometimes they should deliberately not answer their children if they do not speak Arabic. Try to put the children in Arabic schools and academies wherever possible. Families should try to form housing co-ops or live close to one another, so that the neighbourhood and the local environment will be Arabic-speaking. Try to set up Arabic-language courses and seek reward and draw closer to Allaah by doing so. Books, tapes and other modern educational means should be used for this purpose. Continually listening to recordings of the Qur’aan, listening to lessons on tape and attending Islamic lectures in Arabic. And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad, Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 23325: Making friends with a kaafir woman Question: Is it allowed for a muslim woman to be friends with a non-muslim woman who is very decent, without neglecting her one religion and is there a severe punishment if she does? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Undoubtedly making friends with a kaafir woman will adversely affect her religious commitment, because a kaafir woman does not behave in the same manner or have the same attitude as a 63

Muslim woman, and she does not worship Allaah according to the religion of Islam. Therefore she will not avoid doing things that may adversely affect this Muslim woman who may be deceived by the modest dress or good manners of this kaafir woman, especially in matters that will adversely affect her religious commitment. Similarly, making friends with her may lead to some kind of approval in one’s heart for the rituals that she does as part of her own religion, and this will weaken the sense of friendship and enmity for the sake of Allaah (al-wala’ wa’l-bara’). Indeed, it may lead some ignorant people to disapprove of the ruling of Allaah that the kaafirs are disbelievers who will abide in Hell forever – we seek refuge with Allaah. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not keep company with anyone but a believer and do not let anyone eat your food but one who is pious.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2395; Abu Dawood, 4832; classed as saheeh by Ibn Hibbaan, 2/314; classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7341). We do not mean, however, that this Muslim woman should cut herself off completely from the kaafir woman; she may visit with her, visit her when she is sick and give her gifts, but without forming an emotional attachment or joining in their festivals and celebrations. And the Muslim woman should aim, in those visits and gift-giving, to call this kaafir woman to Islam. This is what our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did, as is mentioned in two hadeeths: 1 – It was narrated from Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyib that his father said: “When Abu Taalib was on his deathbed, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) entered upon him, and Abu Jahl and ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Umayyah were present. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘O uncle, say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, and I will plead for you before Allaah.’ Abu Jahl and ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Umayyah said: ‘O Abu Taalib, 64

will you turn away from the religion of ‘Abd al-Muttalib?’ The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘I will keep on praying for forgiveness for you until I am forbidden (by Allaah) to do so.” Then the following aayah was revealed: “It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allaah’s forgiveness for the Mushrikoon, even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a state of disbelief)” [al-Tawbah 9:113] Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4398; Muslim, 24 2 – It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “There was a Jewish boy who used to serve the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and he fell sick. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to visit him; he sat by his head and said, ‘Become Muslim.’ The boy looked at his father, who was present, and he (the father) said: ‘Obey Abu’l-Qaasim (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).’ So he became Muslim, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) left, saying, ‘Praise be to Allaah Who has saved him from the Fire.’” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1290. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave permission to Asma’ bint Abi Bakr to receive her mushrik mother (when she came to visit her), and ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) gave a gift of a garment to his mushrik brother. It was narrated that Asma’ bint Abi Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “My mother came to visit me at the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and she was a mushrik. So I consulted the Messenger of Allaah, (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and asked him, ‘My mother wants to visit me and expects me to treat her kindly; should

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I uphold the ties of kinship with my mother?’ He said, ‘Yes, uphold the ties of kinship with your mother.’” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2477; Muslim, 1003 It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “ ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab saw a silken garment being sold at the door of the mosque. He said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, why don’t you buy it and wear it on Fridays and when the delegations come to you?’ He said, ‘This is worn by one who has no share in the Hereafter.’ Later on some silken garments were brought and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave one to ‘Umar. He said, ‘Are you giving me this to wear when you said what you said about the garment of ‘Utaarid?’ He said, ‘I did not give it to you to wear.’ So ‘Umar gave it to a mushrik brother of his in Makkah to wear.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2470; Muslim 2068. Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said: There is nothing wrong with visiting kaafirs in order to call them to Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) visited his paternal uncle Abu Taalib when he was dying and called him to Islam, and he visited the Jewish boy and called him to Islam. But visiting kaafirs in order to have a good time with them is not permitted, because it is obligatory to hate them and shun them. It is permissible to accept their gifts because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) accepted gifts from some of the kaafirs, such as the gift from al-Muqawqis the ruler of Egypt. But it is not permissible to congratulate them on the occasion of their festivals because this implies befriending them and approving of their falsehood. Al-Muntaqa min Fataawa al-Shaykh al-Fawzaan, 1/255 And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com) 66

10421: The difference between taking the kaafirs as friends and seeking their help Question: What is the difference between taking the kaafirs as friends (muwaalaah) and seeking their help? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Taking the kaafirs as friends (muwaalaah) means supporting them and helping them in matters of kufr, such as the Muslims fighting alongside the kuffaar, such as when the kaafirs launch an assault against a Muslim country and a Muslim befriends them and supports them and helps them in fighting against that country, whether that is with weapons or by supplying them with anything that will help them to fight the Muslims. This is muwaalaah, or a type of friendship that is haraam, because it means joining them and supporting them against other Muslims. With regard to seeking their help, that depends of the purpose to be served. If that serves the Muslims’ interests, there is nothing wrong with it, on the condition that we must beware of their evil and treachery and there be no risk of them betraying us. But if that serves no interest then it is not permissible to seek their help because there is no good in them. Liqaa’aat al-Baab al-Maftooh by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen, p. 20. (www.islam-qa.com) 21344: Staying in an Islamic country even if that goes against one’s parents’ wishes Question: My parents still live in the uk and they would like very much for me to live near them. I also miss them very much and often find 67

it difficult living in a developing country(having lived in the west all my life, although I am happily married).I visit them every year and stay for at least 2 months(They would prefer 3 months!) Is that allowed? Also Is it permissible for me & family to move back as I would be just as able to practise my religion there as I do here? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible to stay among the mushrikeen, or in their country, unless that is for a legitimate shar’i reason. So long as you are able to stay in a Muslim country and there is nothing to force you to settle in Britain, then you should thank Allaah for the blessing of Islam, and stay in that Muslim country. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I have nothing to do with a Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen and the fires of the Muslims and the mushrikeen should not be visible to one another from a distance.” Shaykh Sa’d al-Humayd. (www.islam-qa.com)

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Part 3 26721: Principles and guidelines for Muslims’ relations with non-Muslims Question: We want to know in detail how Muslims regard non-Muslims, and how they should deal with them according to Islamic sharee’ah? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. 1- Islam is the religion of mercy and justice. 2- Muslims are commanded to call non-Muslims to Islam with wisdom and beautiful preaching and by debating in a manner that is better. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:46] 3- Allaah does not accept any religion other than Islam. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85] 4- The Muslims should give the kaafirs the opportunity to hear the words of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And if anyone of the Mushrikoon (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, 69

disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah) seeks your protection then grant him protection so that he may hear the Word of Allaah (the Qur’aan) and then escort him to where he can be secure” [al-Tawbah 9:6] 5- The Muslims should differentiate between different kinds of kaafirs in their dealings with them. They should make peace with those who make peace, and wage war against those who wage war, and wage jihad against those who stand in the way of spreading the message of Islam and causing it to prevail of earth. 6- With regard to matters of love and hate in the heart, the Muslims’ attitude towards non-Muslims is based on the latter’s attitude towards Allaah. If they worship Allaah and do not associate anything in worship with Him, then they love them. If they associate others in worship with Him, or disbelieve in Him, or worship others alongside Him, or are hostile towards His religion and hate the truth, then it is obligatory to hate them in our hearts. 7- Hating them in our hearts does not mean that we should oppress or mistreat them under any circumstances, because Allaah said to His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), describing what his attitude should be towards the People of the Book: “and I am commanded to do justice among you. Allaah is our Lord and your Lord. For us our deeds and for you your deeds” [al-Shoora 42:15 – interpretation of the meaning] even though he is a Muslim and they are following Judaism or Christianity. 8- The Muslims believe that it is not permissible, under any circumstances whatsoever, for a Muslim to mistreat a non-Muslim who is not hostile towards Islam; so the Muslim should not commit aggression against him, or frighten him, or terrorize him, 70

or steal his wealth, or embezzle him, or deprive him of his rights, or deny him his trust, or deny him his wages, or withhold from him the price of his goods when buying from him or withhold the profits of a partnership if he is in a business partnership with him. 9- The Muslims believe that it is obligatory upon the Muslims to honour treaties or agreements made with a non-Muslim party. If a Muslim has agreed to their conditions when seeking permission to enter their country (i.e., a visa) and has promised to adhere to that, then it is not permissible for him to commit mischief in their land, to betray anyone, to steal, to kill or to do any destructive action, and so on. 10-The Muslims believe that in the case of non-Muslims who wage war against them and drive them out of their homes, or help others to do so, it is permissible for Muslims to shed the blood of these non-Muslims and confiscate their wealth. 11-The Muslims believe that it is permissible for a Muslim to treat kindly those non-Muslims who are not hostile, whether by offering financial help, feeding the hungry, giving them loans if needed or interceding with regard to permissible matters, or speaking kindly to them or returning their greetings, and so on. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8] 12-There is no reason why Muslims should not cooperate with non-Muslims with regard to establishing truth and combating falsehood, to support the oppressed and ward off danger from mankind, such as cooperating to fight pollution or to protect the environment, or to combat epidemic diseases and so on. 71

13-The Muslims believe that there are differences between Muslims and non-Muslims in specific rulings such as diyah (blood money), inheritance, marriage, guardianship in marriage, entering Makkah etc., as is explained in the books of Islamic fiqh (jurisprudence). This is based on the commands of Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). We cannot regard as equal one who believes in Allaah alone with no partner or associate and one who disbelieves in Allaah or one who disbelieves in Allaah and joins others in worship with Him, or who turns away from the true religion. 14-Muslims are commanded to call people to Allaah in all the Muslim countries and other lands. They must convey the true religion of Allaah to the world and build mosques in all parts of the world, and send daa’iyahs (callers) to non-Muslim countries and invite their leaders to enter the religion of Allaah. 15-The Muslims believe that other people who are following other religions are not following any true religion, so the Muslims do not allow others to send missionaries to build churches in Muslim countries. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Is then he who is a believer like him who is a Faasiq (disbeliever and disobedient to Allaah)? Not equal are they” [al-Sajdah 32:18] Whoever thinks that Islam is equal to other religions is making a serious mistake. But the Muslim scholars have opened the door to debate with non-Muslims and allow the opportunity to discuss with and listen to non-Muslims and explain the truth to them. Finally, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Say (O Muhammad): O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allaah (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords 72

besides Allaah.’ Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims’” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:64] “And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:110]. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 5219: Ruling on taking part in some annual celebrations Question: What is the Islamic ruling on taking part in some annual celebrations and occasions, such at the International Day of the Family, the International Day for Disabled People, the International Year of Older Persons. Also what is the ruling on taking part in some religious celebrations such as al-Israa’ wa’lMi’raaj (the anniversary of the Prophet’s Night Journey and ascent into the heavens), al-Mawlid al-Nabawi (Prophet’s Birthday) and al-Hijrah (anniversary of the Prophet’s migration), by preparing leaflets or holding lectures and Islamic conferences for the purposes of reminding and exhorting the people (about their religion)? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It seems to me that these days which are repeated every year and the gatherings held to mark them are innovated festivals and ways for which Allaah did not reveal any authority. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Beware of newlyinvented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation 73

(bid’ah) and every innovation is a going-astray.” (Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi and others). He also said: “Every people has its festival (‘Eid) and this is our festival.” (Agreed upon) Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) spoke at length in his book Iqtidaa’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem li Mukhaalifat Ashaab al-Jaheem (The Requirements of the Straight Path in Differing from the People of Hell), condemning the innovated occasions and festivals that have no basis in the pure Sharee’ah and the ways in which they corrupt people’s religious commitment. Most if not all of the people have no understanding of the damage caused by this kind of bid’ah, especially when it has to do with acts of worship, but those who are blessed with insight and understanding realize something of the damage that it can do. What people have to do is to follow the Qur’aan and Sunnah, even when they do not entirely understand the issues of benefit and harm that are involved. Whoever innovates something on a certain day, such as observing a fast, performing a prayer, preparing certain foods, putting up decorations, spending on his family and so on, will be affected by this and it will create some kind of belief in his heart, because he must believe that this day is better than other days, since if he and those who follow him did not have this belief in their hearts, they would not make the effort to do these things. “Celebration” or “festival” involves three things: place, time and gathering, in any of which things may be innovated. With regard to time, there are three kinds of innovation, which may overlap with issues of place and actions. The first kind is a day which is not venerated at all in Sharee’ah, which was not mentioned by the Salaf and nothing happened on that day to indicate that it should be held in any kind of esteem. 74

The second kind is a day on which some event happened that also happened on other days, but that does not mean that it should be regarded as a special occasion, and the Salaf did not venerate this day. Whoever does such a thing is imitating the Christians, who took the days of events in the life of Jesus (peace be upon him) as festivals, and the Jews. But festivals are part of Sharee’ah, and whatever has been prescribed by Allaah should be followed, but whatever has been innovated in the religion is not a part of Islam. Similarly, the innovation followed by some people (in celebrating the Prophet’s birthday), whether it is done in imitation of the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, peace be upon him, or it is done out of love and respect for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), is not something which was done by the Salaf, even though the reason for doing it was there and there was nothing to stop them doing it if it was good… The third kind is days which are venerated by Sharee’ah, such as the day of ‘Aashooraa’, the day of ‘Arafaah and the two Eid days, etc., but the people who follow their own desires innovate things that they think are good but which in fact are wrong and are not allowed – such as when the Raafidis go without water and express grief on the day of ‘Aashooraa’ etc. These are innovated matters which were not prescribed by Allaah or by His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or by any of the Salaf or the members of the household of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). As regards holding regular gatherings, whether weekly, monthly or annually, apart from the gatherings that are prescribed in Sharee’ah, this implies that one is making them as important as the gatherings for the five daily prayers, Jumu’ah, Eid and Hajj, and this is a newly-invented innovation. The principle in question here is: the Islamic acts of worship which are repeated at certain intervals and are thus special 75

occasions, have been prescribed by Allaah and are sufficient for mankind. If any other gatherings are invented in addition to these gatherings, it means that they are being given a status equal to that of the occasions prescribed by Allaah, which leads to the adverse effects referred to above. This is in contrast to what a person or a small specialized group may undertake on their own sometimes. On the basis of the above: it is not permissible for the Muslim to take part in these events which are celebrated regularly every year, because of their resemblence to the prescribed Islamic festivals, as explained above. But if it is a “one-off” event that is not repeated, and the Muslim can use the occasion to convey the truth to people, then there is nothing wrong with that, in sha Allaah. And Allaah knows best. Masaa’il wa Rasaa’il by Muhammad al-Mahmoud al-Najdi, p. 31 (www.islam-qa.com) 22872: Is it prescribed to boycott innovators in this day and age? Question: When is it prescribed to boycott innovators (followers of bid’ah)? When is it prescribed to hate for the sake of Allaah? Is it prescribed to boycott them in this day and age? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. The believer should analyze the situation in the light of faith and sharee’ah, and ignore his whims and desires. If his shunning and keeping away from the innovator will not result in a greater evil, then it is prescribed, and at the very least it is Sunnah. Similarly, shunning those who openly commit sin is at the very least Sunnah. But if not shunning them will be more effective because one thinks 76

that calling these innovators, guiding them to the Sunnah and teaching them what Allaah has enjoined upon them will be more effective in guiding them, then he should not hasten to shun them, but he should hate them for the sake of Allaah just as he hates the kaafirs and sinners. But his hatred for the kuffaar should be greater, whilst also calling them to Allaah and striving to guide them, acting in accordance with all the shar’i evidence. So he should hate the innovator in accordance with the degree of his innovation, so long as it does not imply kufr, and he should hate the sinner in accordance with the degree of his sin, but he should also love him for the sake of Allaah in accordance with the degree of his Islam and faith. From this we know that shunning depends on the situation. Conclusion: the most correct approach is to look at the shar’i interests involved, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) shunned some people and not others, depending on the objectives of Islam. He shunned Ka’b ibn Maalik and his two companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) when they stayed behind from the campaign of Tabook with no excuse. He shunned them for fifty days, until they repented and Allaah accepted their repentance. But he did not shun ‘AbdAllaah ibn Ubayy ibn Salool and a group of those who were accused of hypocrisy, for shar’i reasons. The believer looks at what is in the best interests (of Islam). This does not contradict the idea of hating the kaafirs, innovators and sinners for the sake of Allaah and loving the Muslims for the sake of Allaah. Attention must be paid to what is in the general interest; if shunning is better then they should be shunned, but if the objectives of Islam dictate that ongoing da’wah efforts should be made rather than shunning, then that is what should be done, following the teaching of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). And Allaah is the Source of strength. Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah li Samaahat alShaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), 9/423. (www.islam-qa.com) 77

11427: Attending the festivals of the mushrikeen and congratulating them Question: Is it permissible to attend the celebrations of Christian festivals and congratulate them?

Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: it is not permissible for the Muslims to attend the festivals of the mushrikeen, according to the consensus of the scholars whose words carry weight. The fuqaha’ who follow the four schools of thought have stated this clearly in their books… Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a saheeh isnaad from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab that he said: “Do not enter upon the mushrikeen in their churches on the day of their festival, for divine wrath is descending upon them.” And ‘Umar also said: “Avoid the enemies of Allaah on their festivals.” Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a jayyid isnaad from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr that he said: “Whoever settles in the land of the non-Arabs and celebrates their new year and festival and imitates them until he dies in that state, will be gathered with them on the Day of Resurrection.” (Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 1/723-724). With regard to congratulating them on their festivals, this has already been answered in Question no. 947, which we advise you to refer to. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 78

12777: Prohibition on celebrating the festivals of the kuffaar Question: Is it permissible for Muslims to take part in their festivals, such as Christmas? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible for the Muslim to join the kuffaar in their festivals and to express joy and happiness on these occasions, or to take the day off work, whether the occasion is religious or secular, because this is a kind of imitating the enemies of Allaah, which is forbidden, and a kind of co-operating with them in falsehood. It was proven that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Help you one another in AlBirr and AtTaqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment”[al-Maa’idah 5:2] We advise you to refer to the book Iqtidaa’ al-Siraat alMustaqeem by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him), for it is very useful on this topic. [Translator’s note: This book is available in English under the title “The Right Way,” published by Darussalam, Riyadh]. And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace. Standing Committee on Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, Fatwa no. 2540. (www.islam-qa.com) 79

1130: Ruling on joining in the kaafir festivals Question: I see many “Muslims” joining in Christmas and other celebrations. Is there any daleel from the Quran and Sunnah that I can present to them to show that these are indeed very sinful practices? Jazakallah khair. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible to join in the kaafir festivals for the following reasons: Firstly: because this entails imitating or resembling them, and “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood). This is a serious warning. ‘Abd-Allaah ibn al-‘Aas said: Whoever lives in the land of the mushrikeen and celebrates their Nawrooz (New Year) and their Mahrajaan (festivals), and imitates them until he dies, he will be a loser on the Day of Resurrection. Secondly: taking part in their festivals is a kind of befriending them and showing love for them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them… “[al-Maa’idah 5:51] “O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists) as friends, showing affection towards them” [al-Mumtahanah 60:1] Thirdly: festivals are the matter of religion and beliefs, not the matter of worldly customs, as is indicated by the hadeeth: “Every 80

nation has its Eid, and this is our Eid.” Their Eid or festival reflects their corrupt beliefs of Kufr and Shirk. Fourthly: “And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass it by with dignity” [al-Furqaan 25:72 – interpretation of the meaning]. The scholars interpreted this aayah was referring to the festivals of the mushrikeen. It is not permissible to give any of them cards for their festivals, or to sell them cards or any of the other things they need for their festivals such as lights, trees or food – including turkey, candy canes, etc. We have already answered a similar question, for more details please see Question #947. Islam Q& (www.islam-qa.com) 4528: Muslim woman whose kaafir family celebrate her birthday Question: My parents and two brothers are kufaar (they have no religion) and they insist on making a big deal on my birthday (by phoning me and e-mailing birthday messages and saying ‘happy birthday’) even though I told them many times before that I do not celebrate my birthday and that it is just another day like the other days. (I am the only Muslim in my family and married to a Muslim and I live in another province in Canada away from them so they are not close to me). This year I unplugged the phone on that day so I could avoid the issue. What should I do? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. We congratulate you on your steadfastness in Islam and your avoiding bid’ah and shirk. We ask Allaah to keep you steadfast 81

and to admit you to His Paradise, for He is the All-hearing Who answers prayers. Strive hard to avoid greetings on the celebrations of the mushrikeen, for this is a kind of resembling them and implies that one approves of their falsehood… It would be a good idea to tell your family why you do not respond to them, so that they will not keep trying to contact you (on that day). And ask Allaah to give you strength. May Allaah help you to do that which He loves and which will earn His pleasure. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 11650: Can she attend Christmas celebrations in order to greet her relatives? Question: She says: I want to become Muslim, but my family gather to celebrate Christmas, and I want to go and greet them. This is not with the intention of celebrating or joining in, but simply to make the most of the opportunity of my relatives getting together. Is this allowed? Answer: We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al‘Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, who answered as follows: No, it is not permitted. If Allaah blesses her with Islam, then the first thing she must do is to distance herself from her former religion and its festivals. And Allaah knows best.

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Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (www.islamqa.com) 12729: Giving blood to a kaafir who is not hostile towards Islam and who is not in a state of war with us Question: What is the ruling about giving blood in land of Kufr that will be probably given to a Kaafir? There is the case of children suffering from blood illness and they are in desperate need of blood platelets? Is the ruling the same? I was told by an imaam that blood should not be given? Can you please answer with daleel? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about that and he said: “I do not know of any reason not to do that, because Allaah says in His Book (interpretation of the meaning): “Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8] So Allaah tells us that He does not forbid us to deal justly and kindly with those kaafirs who are not fighting us and who have not driven us out of our homes, or with those who are in urgent need of help. The mother of Asmaa’ bint Abi Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allaah be pleased with her) came to her daughter in 83

Madeenah, at the time of the peace treaty between the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the people of Makkah, and she was still a kaafir, to ask her to uphold the ties of kinship. Asmaa’ consulted the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he told her to uphold the ties of kinship, saying, “Uphold the ties of kinship with your mother even though she is a kaafir.” If a kaafir who has a peace treaty with the Muslims or is under the protection of the Muslims, and is not hostile towards Islam and is not in a state of war with us is in urgent need, then there is nothing wrong with giving blood to him. You will be rewarded for that, because there is nothing wrong with you helping one who is in urgent need of charity or help. From Kitaab Fataawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb, vol. 1, p. 376 Based on the above, if the kaafir is hostile or in a state of war with the Muslims, then it is not permissible to give him blood, because by doing so you are helping him in his aggression against the Muslims. This is a very serious matter. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 14004: It is not permissible for a Muslim to fight with kaafirs against the Muslims at all Question: I work in the army of a non-Muslim state, and there are wars between them and the Muslims. What is the ruling if they send me with a division of this army to wage war against the Muslims? As a Muslim, my feelings are that I never want to fight against Muslims in any war.

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What should I do? What is the ruling if I go…? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. If you are sent to wage war against the Muslims, then it is not permissible for you to take part at all. Helping the kaafirs against the Muslims is a form of major kufr which puts one beyond the pale of Islam. Allaah says concerning one who supports the mushrikeen (interpretation of the meaning): “And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’, i.e., friends), then surely, he is one of them”[al-Maa’idah 5:51] With regard to how you may get out of this situation, and what excuse you can give to get out of this dilemma if it happens, we ask Allaah to help you, and we suggest that you consult some Muslims who have relevant knowledge or experience. We want to emphasize to you the necessity of finding other employment and of leaving service in the army of the kaafirs, because that implies helping them, strengthening them and increasing the numbers of their fighters and supporters – unless your work can bring some benefits to the Muslims, such as giving information and secrets of the kaafirs to the Muslims so as to help the Muslims, or if your work is purely da’wah, such as giving khutbahs and leading prayers for the Muslims in the kaafir army whilst also advising them to avoid any work that will strengthen the kaafirs. We ask Allaah to keep you safe from temptation and to give you a good end in this world and in the Hereafter. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 85

21563: Can he pray for his parents when he does not know what religion they were following when they died? Question: If a person left his parents as kaafirs, and he does not know whether they became Muslim or not, is it permissible for him to pray for them? Answer: Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah was asked this question and he replied: Since he comes from a kaafir nation, it is not permissible for him to pray for his parents, unless they had become Muslim, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allaah’s forgiveness for the Mushrikoon, even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a state of disbelief).” [al-Tawbah 9:113] al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 2/423 (www.islam-qa.com) 13694: Ruling on living with families abroad Question: What is the ruling on living with families for those who travel abroad to study and learn more of the language? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible to live with families because that involves 86

exposing the student to temptation because he may be attracted to the ways of the kaafirs and to their woman. There has to be a place for the student to live far away from temptation. This is all assuming that we say that a student is allowed to travel to kaafir countries in order to learn. The correct view is that it is not allowed to travel to the kaafir countries to learn except in cases of extreme necessity, on the condition that the student has Islamic knowledge and insight and that he will keep away from the sources of temptation. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah will not accept any deed from the mushrik after he becomes Muslim until he departs from the mushrikeen.” (Narrated by al-Nasaa’i with a jayyid isnaad). What this means is, until he leaves the mushrikeen and comes to live amongst the Muslims. And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I have nothing to do with any Muslim who stays among the mushrikeen.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi and al-Nasaa’i with a saheeh isnaad). And there are many similar ahaadeeth. Muslims must beware of traveling to the lands of the mushrikeen except in cases of extreme necessity. But if the traveler has Islamic knowledge and insight, and he wants to call people to Allaah, then this is an exceptional case, and there is a lot of good in this, because he is calling the mushrikeen to believe in the Oneness of Allaah (Tawheed) and teaching them the sharee’ah of Allaah. So he is doing good and is far-removed from danger because of his knowledge and understanding. And Allaah is the One Whose help we seek. Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah li Samaahat alShaykh al-‘Allaamah ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol 4, p. 381 (www.islam-qa.com)

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13933: Ruling on visiting a sick kaafir Question: It sometimes happens that one of the Christians with us at work or school gets sick. Is it permissible to visit him, and what is the ruling on visiting a sick kaafir? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is permissible to visit him with the intention of calling him to Islam and telling about Islam. This is the moderate approach to the matter, because it is not right to disallow that altogether, as there is no evidence to that effect. In fact, that goes against the saheeh evidence. Saying that it is permissible in absolute terms is subject to further discussion. The only option is to say that it is permissible to visit him in order to tell him about Islam or if there is the hope that he will embrace Islam. It was narrated in Saheeh al-Bukhaari via Hammaad ibn Zayd from Thaabit from Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said, “There was a Jewish boy who used to serve the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He fell sick, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to visit him. He sat at his head and said to him, ‘Embrace Islam.’ (The boy) looked towards his father, who was with him. (His father) said, ‘Obey Abu’l-Qaasim (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).’ So he embraced Islam, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out saying, ‘Praise be to Allaah Who has saved him from the Fire.’” We learn a number of things from this hadeeth: 1. The good attitude of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). 88

2. His eagerness to guide people. 3. That if a Jew dies following Judaism he is a kaafir who will abide forever in Hell. There is no dispute on this point from any of the scholars. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, no one of this nation, Jew or Christian, hears of me then dies not believing in that with which I have been sent, but he will be one of the people of Hell.” (Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah). 4. It is OK to visit a Jew if there is the hope of achieving some interest thereby. Abu Dawood (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “I heard Imaam Ahmad being asked about visiting a Jew or a Christian (if he fell sick). He said, if he wants to call him to Islam, then yes (he should do that). It was narrated in al-Saheehayn and elsewhere via Ibn Shihaab who said: Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyib told me that his father told him, when Abu Taalib was on his deathbed, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to him and found Abu Jahl ibn Hishaam and ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Umayyah ibn al-Mugheerah with him. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O my uncle, say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, a word for which I will bear witness for you before Allaah.” Abu Jahl and ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Umayyah said, “O Abu Taalib, are you turning away from the religion of ‘Abd al-Muttalib?” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) kept urging him to embrace Islam and they kept repeating the same thing to him, until the last thing that Abu Taalib said to them was, “On the path of ‘Abd al-Muttalib”, and he refused to say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I shall certainly keep asking Allaah to forgive you until I am told not to do that.” Then Allaah revealed the words (interpretation of the meaning): “It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask 89

Allaah’s forgiveness for the Mushrikoon, even though they be of kin…” [al-Tawbah 9:113].” This hadeeth indicates that one may visit a sick kaafir relative, if there is the hope that he may embrace Islam. Al-Fadl ibn Ziyaad said: I heard Ahmad ibn Hanbal being asked about a Muslim man visiting one of the mushrikeen who was sick. He said: If he thinks that if he visits him whilst he is sick and tells him about Islam, that he may accept it, then let him visit him, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) visited the Jewish boy who was sick and told him about Islam. Shaykh Sulaymaan al-‘Alwaan (www.islam-qa.com) 11400: The enmity of the kuffaar towards the believers is ongoing Question: There are people who claim that the kuffaar love the Muslims, and that their intentions towards us are good. What is your opinion about what they say? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. The enmity of the kuffaar – the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), mushrikeen (polytheists) and hypocrites – towards the believers will last until the Hour begins. The conflict between truth and falsehood will continue until Allaah inherits the earth and whomsoever is upon it. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And they will never cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion (Islamic Monotheism) if they can. And 90

whosoever of you turns back from his religion and dies as a disbeliever, then his deeds will be lost in this life and in the Hereafter, and they will be the dwellers of the Fire. They will abide therein forever”[al-Baqarah 2:217] Because Islam rules the believers with justice, and gives each person his rights, and they do not want this to happen – for this reason they strive to wage war against this religion and to refute the truth with falsehood. But they can never achieve that, for this religion will abide, and Allaah will perfect His light, even though the kaafiroon hate that. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “They intend to put out the Light of Allaah (i.e. the religion of Islam, this Qur’aan, and Prophet Muhammad) with their mouths. But Allaah will bring His Light to perfection even though the disbelievers hate (it). He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islamic Monotheism) to make it victorious over all (other) religions even though the Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah and in His Messenger Muhammad) hate (it)”[al-Saff :8-9] The kuffaar want all the nations of this earth to follow kufr as one: “They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another) [al-Nisaa’ 4:89 – interpretation of the meaning] Those who disbelieve spend of their wealth in order to prevent others from following the path of Allaah, at all times and in all places, and (they strive to) spread corruption, provoke wars and kill the believers. But Allaah insists that they should fail and that His religion should be victorious. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 91

“Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder (men) from the path of Allaah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcome. And those who disbelieve will be gathered unto Hell” [al-Anfaal 8:36] Allaah has told us how strong the enmity of the kuffaar is towards the Muslims: “Neither those who disbelieve among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) nor Al-Mushrikoon (the idolaters, polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah, pagans) like that there should be sent down unto you any good from your Lord. But Allaah chooses for His Mercy whom He wills. And Allaah is the Owner of Great Bounty” [al-Baqarah 2:105 – interpretation of the meaning] No matter what the kuffaar do, their enmity will not end. Even though they may speak words of friendship, their hearts are filled with hatred towards Islam and its people: “How (can there be such a covenant with them) that when you are overpowered by them, they regard not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant with you? With (good words from) their mouths they please you, but their hearts are averse to you, and most of them are Faasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah)” [al-Tawbah 9:8 – interpretation of the meaning] The hypocrites are kuffaar among the Muslims, whose hatred appears in their words and whose hearts are filled with enmity. But Allaah is watching them, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if you remain patient and become AlMuttaqoon (the pious), not the least harm will their cunning do 92

to you. Surely, Allaah surrounds all that they do”[Aal ‘Imraan 3:120] The People of the Book disbelieve in the verses of Allaah, and mix truth with falsehood. They conceal the truth and plot against Islam, in order to divert the Muslims from their religion, as Allaah tells us about them (interpretation of the meaning): “O people of the Scripture! (Jews and Christians): Why do you disbelieve in the Ayaat of Allaah, [the Verses about Prophet Muhammad present in the Tawraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] while you (yourselves) bear witness (to their truth)? O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Why do you mix truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know? And a party of the people of the Scripture say: ‘Believe in the morning in that which is revealed to the believers (Muslims), and reject it at the end of the day, so that they may turn back’” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:70-72] Allaah has clearly stated that obeying the kuffaar in any way is the cause of destruction and loss, and that obeying Him is the way to glory, victory and strength, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! If you obey those who disbelieve, they will send you back on your heels, and you will turn back (from Faith) as losers. Nay, Allaah is your Mawlaa (Patron, Lord, Helper, Protector), and He is the Best of helpers” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:149] All of the kuffaar, be they the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), mushrikeen (polytheists) or hypocrites, are the enemies of the Muslims, so it is not permissible to depend upon them or to rely on them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 93

“And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you, and you have no protectors other than Allaah, nor you would then be helped”[Hood 11:113] Allaah has warned us against taking the kuffaar as friends instead of the believers. If the Muslims fear their evil, it is permitted to make an outward show of friendliness towards them, even though he should hate them inwardly, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Let not the believers take the disbelievers as Awliyaa’ (supporters, helpers) instead of the believers, and whoever does that, will never be helped by Allaah in any way, except if you indeed fear a danger from them. And Allaah warns you against Himself (His punishment), and to Allaah is the final return” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:28] Allaah has warned us against taking the Jews and Christians as friends, and He told us that whoever takes them as friends is one of them. He says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)” [al-Maa’idah 5:51] All of the kuffaar, be they the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), mushrikeen (polytheists) or hypocrites, will be in Hell on the Day of Resurrection, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islam, the Qur’aan and Prophet Muhammad) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and AlMushrikoon will abide in the fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures” [al-Bayyinah 98:6] 94

The kuffaar and the Jews are the greediest of mankind for life, because they know that they have no share in the Hereafter. They hate death because they fear what comes after it, as Allaah tells us about the Jews and mushrikeen (interpretation of the meaning): “And verily, you will find them (the Jews) the greediest of mankind for life and (even greedier) than those who ascribe partners to Allaah (and do not believe in Resurrection — Magians, pagans, and idolaters). Everyone of them wishes that he could be given a life of a thousand years. But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from (due) punishment. And Allaah is All-Seer of what they do”[al-Baqarah 2:96] From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri (www.islam-qa.com) 6154: Ruling on sponsored students staying in kaafir countries Question: We are Muslim students who are studying in America for periods ranging from six months to four years. We have come here to study simply because we wanted to – i.e., we are not sponsored by anyone – and the studies here in America are no different from the studies back home, apart from the fact that we will learn English too. What is the ruling on our staying in this country to study? May Allaah reward you with good. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. If you have knowledge and understanding of the religion of Allaah that enables you to call others to Allaah and teach the people good things, and refute specious arguments and practise your religion openly among the kaafirs around you, then it is OK, because if a person who is as we have described and who has 95

equipped himself with knowledge stays there, he can benefit himself and others. Allaah may guide many people through him if he strives hard in da’wah and is patient, and his intention is sincerely for Allaah alone. But if a person does not have this religious understanding or he does not have the patience for da’wah, or he fears that he may fall into things which Allaah has forbidden, or he cannot practise his religion openly by calling others to worship Allaah alone and warning them against shirk and explaining that to the people around him, then it is not permissible for him to stay among the mushrikeen, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I have nothing to do with any Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen.” And because of the danger to which he is exposed by settling among them. And Allaah is the Source of strength. Kitaab Majmmo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah li Samaahat al-Shaykh al-‘Allaamah ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn ‘AbdAllaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 9, p. 401 (www.islam-qa.com)

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Part 4 10342: Ruling on a Muslim eating with a kaafir Question: If a Muslim eats or drinks with a Christian or any kaafir, is that considered to be haraam? If it is haraam, then what do we say about the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them [al-Maa’idah 5:5]?

Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Eating with a kaafir is not haraam if it is necessary to do so, or if that serves some shar’i interest. But they should not be taken as friends, so you should not eat with them for no shar’i reason or for no shar’i purpose. You should not sit and chat with them and laugh with them. But if there is a reason to do so, such as eating with a guest, or to invite them to Islam or to guide them to the truth, or for some other shar’i reason, then it is OK. The fact that the food of the People of the Book is halaal for us does not mean that we have to take them as friends and companions. It does not mean that we should eat and drink with them for no reason and for no purpose. And Allaah is the source of strength. Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah li Samaahat alShaykh al-‘Allaamah ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 9, p. 324 (www.islam-qa.com) 97

9918: Ruling on seeking and accepting help from the kuffaar Question: What is the ruling on seeking and accepting help from the kuffaar? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. That depends. If there is no risk that seeking or accepting their help will have a harmful impact on the religious commitment of the one who asks for or accepts their help, then there is nothing wrong with that. But is there is any risk involved, then it is not permissible to ask for their help or to accept it – in accordance with the shar’i evidence which indicates that it is obligatory to avoid that which Allaah has forbidden and to keep away from that which will earn the wrath of Allaah. It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) accepted gifts from some of the mushrikeen and not from others. The reason for that was what we have noted above, as was stated by the scholars. And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace. Majmoo Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah li Samaahat alShaykh al-‘Allaamah ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 8, p. 432 (www.islamqa.com) 9404: Islamic ruling on doing Islamic projects through Jews or Christians Question: What is the Islamic ruling on doing Islamic projects through Jewish or Christian missionary groups? 98

Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible to hand over Islamic works such as those mentioned to kaafir workers, because they cannot be trusted and we cannot be sure that they are sincere. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning); “Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraaheem (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever until you believe in Allaah Alone’” [al-Mumtahanah 60:4] “The believers, men and women, are Awliyaa’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another” [al-Tawbah 9:71] “And those who disbelieve are allies of one another, (and) if you (Muslims of the whole world collectively) do not do so [i.e. become allies, as one united block under one Khaleefah (a chief Muslim ruler for the whole Muslim world) to make victorious Allaah’s religion of Islâmic Monotheism], there will be Fitnah (wars, battles, polytheism) and oppression on the earth, and a great mischief and corruption (appearance of polytheism)” [al-Anfaal 8:73] The Council of Major Scholars in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued a statement that it is forbidden to delegate the building of mosques to non-Muslims, because of the evidence (daleel) and reasons referred to above. Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah li Samaahat alShaykh al-‘Allaamah ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 8, p. 431 (www.islam-qa.com) 99

11232: Giving a lecture about Islam in a church Question: Someone has been invited to give a lecture about Islam in a church. Should he accept? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al‘Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, who answered as follows: This matter needs further examination, because the place is not appropriate, except in the unlikely event that it might be said that the Muslims are so powerful that they can proclaim their religion in the places of worship of the Christians. If this is the case, then it is good. But I am worried that it may be the opposite, i.e., that the Muslims are compelled to speak of their religion in the church. Hence I think that he should not do that, in order to avoid falling into this category (of being weak). And Allaah knows best. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (www.islamqa.com) 7622: He promised a kaafir that he would go to the church with him Question: Is breaking promise with non-muslim permitted by Allah SWT? I happened to have a conversation with a non-muslim man who is a Christian at my work. He is about 45 years old and I am 20. I always try to keep myself behave politely at this new work environment at which I will be working for the next 5 years at the same place, Insya Allah. Apparently, this man has been trying to influence me with Christianity in several different ways. First, he acts in a nice way and a couple days ago invited me to talk 100

about Al-Qur’an and Bible. He said that in the Bible, Ibrahim was asked by Sarah (his wife) to sleep with their servant to have a baby, Isaac. Astaghfirullah! I responded that it was not true! Second, he asked me to bring Al-Qur’an. He said the reason was because he heard so many stories that are quite similar between Al-Qur’an and Bible. Third, he asked me if I would like to go to church sometimes just to see how it looks like when people pray. At that moment, I was thinking that there was nothing wrong to go to church as long as I do not participate in any ritual ceremony or activity. I said, “Sure...” and he quickly asked when would be the good time for me to go. After I thought for a second, I said, “Why and what is the purpose for me to go to church while I even sometimes cannot go to pray at the mosque or musholla due to my work?” I pray at my workplace because there is no mosque or musholla nearby my office. He said that it is just to know other people religion and not to converting or anything. On my way home, I was thinking that this man is slick. He seems a friendly guy but behind that tries to get me to his believe to a minor. As a muslim, I believe in Allah and He is the one who can help me. Allah knows best what I think and feel Answer: Praise be to Allaah. We put this question to Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen (may Allaah preserve him), who answered as follows: It is not permissible for him to go to the church, because this implies respecting and venerating it, and exposes him to developing a liking for Shirk and its followers. He has to break this promise and explain this ruling to the kaafir so that he will understand why the Muslim broke his promise. And Allaah knows best. Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen (www.islam-qa.com) 101

4036: She wants to embrace Islam but does not want to leave her kaafir husband Question: In the Islamic centres and when calling non-Muslim women to Islam, we are faced with the problem of the wife’s attachment to her kaafir husband who does not want to become Muslim. It is difficult for the woman to sacrifice her marriage, especially when the couple has children and the husband treats her well and she feels a great deal of love for him. We know that if a kaafir woman becomes Muslim it is not permissible for her to remain in a marriage with a kaafir man, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… they are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them…” [al-Mumtahinah 60:10]. How should we deal with this problem? Is it permissible for us to focus on the issue of the woman becoming Muslim and ignore the rest of the matter? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen: A woman says, I want to become Muslim, and my husband is good and I do not want to leave him. What should I do? He answered: “She has to leave him, but is it possible for her to call him to Islam? She could say, ‘I want to become Muslim, but if I become Muslim, the marriage will become null and void unless you become Muslim too.’ Hopefully if she says this to him, he will become Muslim too.’” Question: If she become Muslim, can she stay in the marital home while she calls him to Islam, or should she leave? 102

Answer: “If she is hopeful that he will become Muslim, she can stay in the marital home until the end of her ‘iddah (waiting period following the dissolution of a marriage).” Question: Can she uncover herself (go without hijab) during the ‘iddah or not? Answer: “To be on the safe side, she should not uncover, because there is no certainty that he will agree to become Muslim.” Question: And she should not be alone with him? Answer: “And she should not be alone with him.” Question: If telling her about this could turn her away from Islam, is it permissible for us according to sharee’ah to conceal the second part of the answer from her, so that we could tell her, “Become Muslim first, then we will tell you about the ruling on staying with your husband”? Answer: “No, if we say this, and then we tell her about the ruling and she leaves Islam (becomes an apostate), this will make the problem worse. For this reason the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib, when he sent him to the people of Khaybar: ‘Call them to Islam and tell them what they have to do in the way of duties towards Allaah.’”

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Question: So now if she continues to live with him after she becomes Muslim she is guilty of a major sin (kabeerah)? Answer: “Yes that is the case, but she should not persist in zinaa (unlawful sexual relationship).” Question: Briefly, how should we answer her? Answer: “Tell her: Become Muslim, and know that if you become Muslim and your husband does not, the marriage will become null and void.” When we are talking to women who will be faced with this issue, we should focus on the following points: Giving priority to love for Allaah and His Messenger over love for anyone else. If she is sincere in calling him to Islam and in praying for him, Allaah may guide him at her hands. - Whoever gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him or her with something better. Allaah will never forsake His slave who gives up something he or she loves for His sake. When a woman like this becomes Muslim and leaves her husband, one of the Muslim brothers should come forward to marry her and take her children into his family, or good-hearted Muslims should undertake the responsibility of spending in charity on her and her children. We ask Allaah to guide us and grant us strength

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and help us to do the right thing. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (www.islamqa.com) 6247: Ruling on obtaining nationality of a kaafir state Question: What is the ruling on obtaining nationality of a kaafir state? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. We put this question to Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen, may Allaah preserve him, who replied as follows: If a person is compelled to seek the nationality of a kaafir state because he has been forced to leave his own country and he can find no (Muslim) country to give him refuge, then this is permissible, on the condition that he is able to practise his religion openly. But with regard to obtaining kaafir nationality for purely worldly purposes, I do not think that this is permissible. ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen (www.islam-qa.com) 6099: He became Muslim and he has kaafir friends Question: If you had non-muslim friends before you became muslim, can you remain friends with them? or do you befriend only muslims? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. 105

We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al‘Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, who answered as follows: He does not have to (cut off ties with his non-Muslim friends), so long as they are not causing him any harm. But he can withdraw from them gradually. He should tell them about Islam, because if they see that he has become Muslim, they may become Muslim too. And Allaah knows best. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (www.islamqa.com) 11469: Muslims demonstrating in support of their Palestinian brothers Question: The Muslim community here in southern Sweden has decided to hold a demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The demonstration will be peaceful, aimed at conveying the voice of the Muslims to the Swedish government, to put pressure on them to stop the massacres of the children of the Palestinian people. What is the ruling on such demonstrations? We would like to inform you that these demonstrations will play a great role and be very effective in conveying the views of the Muslims to the politicians, to put pressure on the Zionist government to put a stop to the massacres of the children in Palestine. Please advise us, may Allaah reward you with good. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. There is nothing wrong with the Muslim community in Sweden protesting in order to reduce the pressure on the Muslims in Palestine and to draw the attention of the Swedish people and government to the crimes which the Jews are committing against

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the Muslims in Palestine, and using all effective and Islamicallyacceptable means of doing so. But demonstrations may involve a number of things which are forbidden in sharee’ah, so it is essential to guard against them. These include: women going out wearing adornment and make-up; using music in the demonstration; shouting slogans that are incorrect, such as “al-Quds (Jerusalem) is Arab and will remain Arab” (in fact, alQuds is Islamic and is not for the Arabs only); stopping the demonstration in front of a kaafir’s tomb and placing bouquets of flowers on his grave; begging the kaafirs for help by using phrases that are humiliating to the Muslims; holding up pictures or effigies of people; doing wrong to others such as blocking the road or preventing people from passing by; using slanderous and insulting words that are not permitted in sharee’ah; men and women mixing during the demonstration; imitating the kuffaar in any of their unique characteristics such as clothing or symbols that the demonstrators may wear; committing acts of aggression against the property of innocent people, such as destroying their shops or breaking their windows, or starting fires in public facilities, and other haraam actions. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 9606: Putting a Jew in charge of the Muslim treasury (bayt al-maal) Question: A Jewish man is in charge of the Muslim treasury bayt al-maal; he weighs and evaluates the dirhams (coins) that are paid in or out, and his word is accepted. Is it permissible for him to be in charge or not? Will the ruler be rewarded if he fires him and

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replaces him with a trustworthy Muslim? Will those who help him to do that also be rewarded? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is not permitted for a Jew to be in charge of that, and it is not permitted to leave him in that position. It is not permitted to rely upon his evaluation. The ruler, may Allaah give him strength, will be rewarded for firing him and replacing him with a trustworthy Muslim, and those who help him to do that will also be rewarded. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:118]. The meaning of this aayah is: do not take as close advisers who will be deeply involved in your affairs and will be dealing with your secrets and important matters, people other than you, i.e., kuffaar. “They will not fail to do their best to corrupt you” means, they would not hesitate to cause harm and corruption if they are able to. “Hatred has already appeared from their mouths” means, they say, we are your enemies. And Allaah knows best. Fataawaa al-Imaam al-Nawawi, 225. (www.islam-qa.com) 10213: Ruling on the call to unite all religions Question: What are Ruling on the call to unite all religions 108

Answer: Praise be to Allaah Alone and peace and blessings be upon the one after whom there will be no more Prophets, and upon his family and companions and whoever follows them in truth until the Day of Resurrection. The Standing Committee on Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas (al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’lIftaa’) has examined the questions which have been submitted to it and the opinions and articles published and broadcast in the media concerning the call to unite the three religions of Islam, Judaism and Christianity; and the call which stems from that, to build a mosque, a church and a synagogue in one place, on university campuses and in public squares; and the call to print the Qur’aan, Tawraat (Torah) and Injeel (Gospel) in one volume, etc.; and the conferences, seminars and meetings on this topic which are being held in the east and in the west. After studying and pondering the matter, the Committee issues the following statement: · (1) One of the basic principles of belief in Islam, something which is obviously a basic principle and on which all the Muslims are agreed (ijmaa’) is that there is no true religion on the face of the earth apart from Islam. It is the final religion which abrogates all religions and laws that came before it There is no religion on earth according to which Allaah is to be worshipped apart from Islam. Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings): “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion” [al-Maa’idah 5:3] “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]. After the coming of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah 109

be upon him), Islam means what he brought, not any other religion. · (2) One of the basic principles of belief in Islam is that the Book of Allaah, the Holy Qur’aan, is the last of the Books to be revealed from the Lord of the Worlds. It abrogates all the Books that came before it, the Tawraat, Zaboor, Injeel and others, and it is a Muhaymin [Muhaymin: that which testifies the truth that is therein and falsifies the falsehood that is added therein] over them. So there is no longer any revealed Book according to which Allaah may be worshipped apart from the Qur’aan. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur’aan) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). So judge among them by what Allaah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you.” [al-Maa’idah 5:48] · (3) It is obligatory to believe that the Tawraat and Injeel have been abrogated by the Qur’aan, and that they have been altered and distorted, with things added and taken away, as Allaah tells us in the Qur’aan, for example (interpretation of the meaning): “So, because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them” [al-Maa’idah 5:13] “Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, “This is from Allaah,” to purchase with it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for that they earn thereby.” [al-Baqarah 2:79] “And verily, among them is a party who distort the Book with 110

their tongues (as they read), so that you may think it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book, and they say: “This is from Allaah,” but it is not from Allaah; and they speak a lie against Allaah while they know it” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:78] Hence, whatever in the previous books was correct is abrogated by Islam, and everything else is distorted and changed. It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) became angry when he saw that ‘Umar had a page with something from the Tawraat written on it, and he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Are you in doubt, O son of al-Khattaab? Have I not brought you something shining and pure? If my brother Moosa were alive, he would have no choice but to follow me.” (Narrated by Ahmad and al-Daarimi, and others). · (4) One of the basic principles of belief in Islam is that our Prophet and Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): · “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last (end) of the Prophets” [alAhzaab 33:40] So there is no longer any Messenger whom it is obligatory to follow, apart from Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). If any of the Prophets were alive, they would have no choice but to follow him, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And (remember) when Allaah took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying: ‘Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah (understanding of the Laws of Allaah), and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger (Muhammad) confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him.’ Allaah said: ‘Do you agree (to it) and will you take up My Covenant (which I conclude with you)?’ They said: ‘We agree.’ He said: ‘Then bear 111

witness; and I am with you among the witnesses (for this).’” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:81] When the Prophet of Allaah ‘Eesaa (peace be upon him) descends at the end of time, he will follow Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he will judge according to his Sharee’ah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning); “Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad) whom they find written with them in the Tauraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) — he commands them for Al-Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); he allows them as lawful AtTayyibaat (i.e. all good and lawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), and prohibits them as unlawful AlKhabaa’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allaah’s Covenant with the children of Israel), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. So those who believe in him (Muhammad), honour him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur’aan) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful” [al-A’raaf 7:157] It is also one of the basic principles of belief in Islam that the Message of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is addressed to all of mankind. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not” [Saba’ 34:28] “Say (O Muhammad): “O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah” [al-A’raaf 7:158]. And there are many similar aayaat. 112

· (5) One of the basic principles of belief in Islam is that we must believe that every Jew, Christian or other person who does not enter Islam is a kaafir, and that those against whom proof is established must be named as kaafirs and regarded as enemies of Allaah, His Messenger and the believers, and that they are the people of Hell, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): · “Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and AlMushrikoon, were not going to leave (their disbelief) until there came to them clear evidence” [al-Bayyinah 98:1] “Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islâm, the Qur’ân and Prophet Muhammad) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and AlMushrikoon will abide in the fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures” [al-Bayyinah 98:6] “This Qur’aan has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach” [al-An’aam 6:19] “This (Qur’aan) is a Message for mankind (and a clear proof against them), in order that they may be warned thereby” [Ibraaheem 14:52]. And there are many similar aayaat. It was reported in Saheeh Muslim that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, no one among this nation, Jew or Christian, hears of me, then dies without having believed in that with which I was sent, but he will be one of the people of the Fire.” Hence whoever does not regard the Jews and Christians as kuffaar is himself a kaafir, according to the ruling of Sharee’ah, “Whoever does not regard the kaafir as such after proof has been established against him is himself a kaafir.” · (6) In the light of these basic principles of belief and the rulings of sharee’ah, calling for the uniting of all religions, and for them to be brought close to one another and cast in the same mould, is an evil and crafty call whose aim is to mix truth with falsehood, to destroy Islam and undermine its pillars, and to tempt 113

its followers into total apostasy. This is confirmed by the words of the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning): · “And they will never cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion (Islamic Monotheism) if they can” [alBaqarah 2:217] “They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another)” [al-Nisaa’ 4:89] · (7) Among the effects of this evil call would be the cancelling out of the differences between Islam and kufr, truth and falsehood, good and evil. It would break down the psychological barrier that exists between the Muslims and the kaafirs, and there would be no sense of al-Walaa’ wa’l-Baraa’ (loyalty and friendship towards Muslims, disavowal and enmity towards kaafirs), or jihaad and fighting to make the word of Allaah supreme in the earth of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): · “Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allaah, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad( (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islâm) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued” [alTawbah 9:29] “and fight against the Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah) collectively as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allaah is with those who are AlMuttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Tawbah 9:36] “O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm 114

you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:118] · (8) If the call to unite the religions is made by a Muslim, this considered to be blatant apostasy from the religion of Islam, because it conflicts with the basic principles of belief. It is an acceptance of disbelief in Allaah and a contradiction of the truth of the Qur’aan and its abrogation of all laws and religions that came before it. On this basis, it is an idea that should be rejected from the point of view of sharee’ah, and it is definitely haraam according to the evidence of Islam, Qur’aan, Sunnah and ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus). ·

(9) Based on the above:

· (i) It is not permissible for a Muslim who believes in Allaah as his Lord, Islam as his religion and Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) as his Prophet and Messenger, to call people to this evil idea, to encourage it or to propagate it among the Muslims, let alone respond to it or join the conferences and gatherings held to promote it. · (ii) It is not permissible for a Muslim to print the Tawraat and Injeel on their own, so how about printing them with the Qur’aan in one volume? Whoever does this or calls for it is far astray, because by doing so he is combining truth (the Qur’aan) with that which is either distorted or was true but has now been abrogated (the Tawraat and Injeel). · (iii) Similarly, it is not permissible for a Muslim to respond to the call to build a mosque, church and synagogue in one place, because this involves recognizing a religion in which Allaah is worshipped other than Islam, and rejecting the idea that Islam should prevail over all other religions, and giving the idea that there are three religions and that it is OK for people to belong to any of these three. This is a kind of equality which implies that 115

Islam does not abrogate the religions that came before it. Undoubtedly, if a person approves of this, believes it or accepts it, this is kufr and misguidance, because it clearly goes against the Qur’aan, the Sunnah and the consensus (ijmaa’) of the Muslims and implies that the distortions of the Jews and Christians come from Allaah – exalted be He far above that. By the same token, it is not permitted to call churches “Houses of God” or to say that the people there are worshipping Allaah in a correct and acceptable manner, because this worship is not done according to the religion of Islam, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): · “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]. · On the contrary, they are houses in which disbelief (kufr) in Allaah is expressed; we seek refuge with Allaah from kufr and its people. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawaa (22/162): “They – churches and synagogues – are not houses of Allaah; the houses of Allaah are the mosques. On the contrary, they are houses in which disbelief (kufr) in Allaah is expressed. Even if Allaah is mentioned therein, houses are the same as the people in them, and the people in these houses are kuffaar, so they are the houses of worship of the kuffaar.” · (10) It should be noted that it is obligatory on the Muslims to call the kuffaar in general, and the People of the Book in particular, to Islam through the clear texts of the Qur’aan and Sunnah. But this is only to be done by explaining to them and arguing with them in a way that is better (with good words and in a good manner) (cf. Al-‘Ankaboot 29:46), not by compromising any of the beliefs of laws of Islam. This is in order to convince them about Islam and bring them into the religion, or to establish proof against them so that those who are to be destroyed (for their rejecting the Faith) might be destroyed after a clear evidence, and those who are to live (i.e. believers) might live after a clear 116

evidence (cf. Al-Anfaal 8:42). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): · “Say (O Muhammad ): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allaah (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims.” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:64] · As for debating and meeting with them in order to go along with their wishes and fulfil their aims of destroying Islam bit by bit, this is falsehood which is rejected by Allaah, His Messenger and the believers, and Allaah is the One Whose help is sought against all that they ascribe to Him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “but beware of them lest they turn you (O Muhammad) far away from some of that which Allaah has sent down to you” [al-Maa’idah 5:49] The Committee has made the above statement to the people. We advise the Muslims in general, and people of knowledge in particular, to fear Allaah and be aware that He is always watching, to guard Islam and to protect the ‘aqeedah (belief) of the Muslims from misguidance and those who promote it and from kufr and its people, and to beware of this idea. Islam Q&A.Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 10108: Is it permissible to go into churches for the purpose of da’wah, or just to look around? Question: There are many churches here. Is it permissible to go into them 117

to hold discussions with the priests there? Is it permissible to go in just to look at them and see what the people do there? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is permissible for scholars and knowledgeable people to enter churches in order to call the people there to Islam. But we should not enter them just to look around, because there is no benefit in doing so, and there is the fear that the Muslim may be influenced by them, especially if he is ignorant about his own religion and cannot refute the confusion that they will direct towards him. From Fataawaa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 13/257 (www.islamqa.com) 3414: Learning foreign languages Question: Is learning English haraam or halaal? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. If there is a need to learn English or any other foreign (non-Arabic) language for a religious or worldly purpose, then there is no reason why one should not learn it. But if there is no need then it is makrooh to learn it. Fataawaa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 12/133 (www.islam-qa.com) 1552: When they need to write the Gregorian date Question: Some of the offices of al-Muntada al-Islami are in countries which use the Gregorian calendar. We use the Hijri calendar, but this 118

causes us problems when we deal with government departments which do not use the Hijri calendar, or when drawing up budgets, paying salaries and preparing financial reports for the appropriate departments in those countries. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. There is nothing wrong with using both dates, so long as the Hijri date is written first, followed by the equivalent Gregorian date. The Hijri date is based on the lunar months, which are clear and can be readily observed by anyone who has eyes to see, but the Gregorian months do not have any clearly visible signs and can only be known through calculations. Hence the Islamic sharee’ah uses the Arabic months for the dates of fasting, Hajj, I’tikaaf and so on. Beginning with the Hijri date is also a manifestation of the symbols and features of Islam among those who do not know them. And Allaah knows best. Al-Lu’lu’ al-Makeen min Fataawaa al-Shaykh Ibn Jibreen, p. 53. (www.islam-qa.com) 6572: Buying products from kaafir countries Question: ma hoqum buying and selling american products Hi-Tech ones like IBM, DELL, Microsoft Answer: Praise be to Allaah. There is no reason why one should not buy American products, like any other products which come to the Muslim countries from the kaafir countries, or deal with the kuffaar for trading purposes, so long as this does not involve anything that goes against 119

sharee’ah; so long as there is no similar product available from Muslim countries which would rule out the need for the kaafirs’ products; and so long as buying their products will not give them more strength against the Muslims. And Allaah knows best. Written by Al-Khudayr. (www.islam-qa.com)

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Part 5 1476: Can we say “Jazaak Allaah khayran ” to a kaafir? Question: Is it permissible to say “ Jazaak Allaahu khayran (may Allaah reward you with good)” to a non-Muslim if he does us a favour or helps us in some way? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible to pray for good for a kaafir, because he does not deserve it. If he does something good, you can thank him by saying “Thank you”, because of the hadeeth: “Whoever does not give thanks to the people does not give thanks to Allaah” (a saheeh hadeeth narrated by Imaam Ahmad, 2/258). It is preferable to use the words of thanks in his language, i.e., not in Arabic. It is sufficient to express your appreciation for his good deed, but we should also note that it is not permissible to use the services of a kaafir or to accept his help, because this involves putting up with his reminders of his favour. In the reports there is the du’aa’, “O Allaah, do not give the follower of innovation any reason to remind me of his favours or cause my heart to like him.” Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 6688: Whoever does not believe that the Jews, Christians and kaafirs are indeed kaafirs is himself a kaafir Question: Is it true that anyone who does not accept that kuffaar are kuffaar is a kaafir himself, even if he prays, believes in the Qur’aan, and 121

the Prophet Muhammad ( )? If so, what is the proof for this? Can a person insist on believing that Jews and Christians can be believers and go to heaven after being shown clear evidence against this, and still be considered a Muslim? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Yes, this is correct. Whoever is not convinced that the person who disbelieves in the religion of Allaah is a kaafir, does not believe what Allaah has told us about their being kaafirs, and he does not believe that the religion of Islam abrogates all previous religions and that all people must follow this religion no matter what their religion was before. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85] “Say (O Muhammad): “O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah” [al-A’raaf 7:158] Al-Qaadi ‘Ayyaad said: hence we regard as a kaafir everyone who follows a religion other than the religion of the Muslims, or who agrees with them, or who has doubts, or who says that their way is correct, even if he appears to be a Muslim and believes in Islam and that every other way is false, he is a kaafir (Al-Shifaa’ bi Ta’reef Huqooq al-Mustafaa, 2/1071) Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhaab (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Know that among the greatest things that can nullify Islam are ten things: Associating othes in worship of Allaah alone, Who has no partner 122

or associate. The evidence ofr that is the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, Allaah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners (in worship) with Him, but He forgives whom He wills, sins other than that” [al-Nisaa’ 4:116]. This also includes offering scarifices to other than Allaah, such as to the jinn or at graves. Whoever regards others as intermediaries between him and Allaah and calls upon them to ask them to intercede for him, is a kaafir according to scholarly consensus. Whoever does not regard the Mushrikeen as kaafirs or doubts that they are kaafirs or regard their way as correct, is a kaafir according to scholarly consensus. After enumerating them, he said (may Allaah have mercy on him): In the case of all these things that nullify Islam, there is no difference whether a person is joking or is serious or is afraid – except in cases where he is forced to do something. All of them are among the things that are very dangerous and which happen very often. The Muslim has to beware of them and fear them happening to him. We seek refuge with Allaah from the things that earn His wrath and His painful prunishment, May Allaah bless Muhammad. (Mu’allafaat al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhaab, 212, 213). Shirk and kufr are the same when it comes to the ruling (hukm) Ibn Hazm said: Kufra and shirk are the same; every kaafir is a mushrik and every mushrik is a kaafir. This is the view of al-Shaafa’ and others. (al-Fisl, 3/124). 123

The Jews and Christians are kuffaar and mushrikeen. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And the Jews say: ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allaah, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allaah. That is their saying with their mouths, resembling the saying of those who disbelieved aforetime. Allaah’s Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth! … They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allaah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allaah), and (they also took as their Lord) Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded [in the Tauraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] to worship none but One Ilaah (God — Allaah) Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Praise and glory be to Him (far above is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him).” [al-Tawbah 9:30-31]. It was reported from Abu Hurayrag that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “By the One is Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, not one of this nation, Jew or Christian, will hear of me and will die without having believed in that with which I have been sent, but he will be one of the dwellers of Hell fire.” (Narrated by Muslim, 153) Whoever says that the Jews are not kaafirs is disbelieving in the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meanings): “And their hearts absorbed (the worship of) the calf because of their disbelief” [al-Baqarah 2:93] “Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: “We hear your word (O Muhammad) and disobey,” and “Hear and let you (O Muhammad) hear nothing.” And Raa‘ina [in Arabic it means “Be careful, listen to us, and we listen to you”, whereas in Hebrew, it means “an 124

insult”] with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion (Islâm). And if only they had said: “We hear and obey”, and “Do make us understand,” it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allaah has cursed them for their disbelief…” [al-Nisa’ 4:46] “Because of their breaking the covenant, and of their rejecting the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allaah, and of their killing the Prophets unjustly, and of their saying: “Our hearts are wrapped (with coverings, i.e. we do not understand what the Messengers say)” — nay, Allaah has set a seal upon their hearts because of their disbelief, so they believe not but a little. And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse); And because of their saying (in boast), “We killed Messiah ‘Eesaa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allaah,” — but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared so to them the resemblance of ‘Eesaa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man)]…” [al-Nisa’ 4:155-157] “Verily, those who disbelieve in Allaah and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allaah and His Messengers (by believing in Allaah and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying, “We believe in some but reject others,” and wish to adopt a way in between. They are in truth disbelievers. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating torment” [al-Nisa’ 4:150-151] Whoever says that the Christians are not kuffaar is disbelieving in the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meanings): “Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allaah is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary)…” [al-Maa’idah 5:17] “Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allaah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” But there is no Ilaah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilaah (God —Allâh). 125

And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall on the disbelievers among them” [al-Maa’idah 5:73] And he is disbelieving in the words of Allaah concerning the Jews and Christians who do not believe in our Prophet or follow him: “Verily, those who disbelieve in Allaah and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allaah and His Messengers (by believing in Allaah and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying, “We believe in some but reject others,” and wish to adopt a way in between. They are in truth disbelievers. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating torment” [al-Nisa’ 4:150-151] What is there left to say after these clear statements from Allaah, may He be exalted? We ask Allaah to guide us. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 7856: A Christian complains about prohibition of Muslims celebrating or congratulating people at Christmas Question: Why do you condemn the celebration of the what Christians think is birth of the son of God (Allah)? We should be teaching respect for other peoples and religions. Yet with such condemnation and calling it falsehood, it makes it difficult for rational, honest, and respectful persons to communicate. Answer: Praise be to the One God, who begets not, nor is begotten. You seem to have misinterpreted the condemnation of celebration 126

of Christmas as a matter of disrespect for Christians. In reality, it is out of respect for Allah and Jesus and the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon them. It is an integral part of our faith to reject celebrations that have not been prescribed and/ or that have a basis in falsehood, as inevitably they lead to misguidance and alterations in faith, as has happened with Christianity. There is nothing “radical” or “fringe” about this. It is our basic right to protect our faith and practice from distortion and falsehood. Surely no one has a right to condemn us for this. Do you think Encyclopedia Britannica is rational and honest? Please read what they have to say about Christmas: Excerpts quoted directly from http://www.britannica.com : The word Christmas is derived from the Old English Cristes maesse, “Christ’s Mass.” : ( There is no certain tradition of the date of Christ’s birth. Christian chronographers of the 3rd century believed that the creation of the world took place at the spring equinox, then reckoned as March 25; hence the new creation in the incarnation (i.e., the conception) and death of Christ must therefore have occurred on the same day, with his birth following nine months later at the winter solstice, December 25). ... According to a Roman almanac, the Christian festival of Christmas was celebrated in Rome by AD 336... ( The reason why Christmas came to be celebrated on December 25 remains uncertain, but most probably the reason is that early Christians wished the date to coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the “birthday of the unconquered sun” ) (natalis solis invicti); this festival celebrated the winter solstice, when the days again begin to lengthen and the sun begins to climb higher in the sky. The traditional customs connected with Christmas have accordingly developed from several sources as a 127

result of the coincidence of the celebration of the birth of Christ with the pagan agricultural and solar observances at midwinter. In the Roman world the Saturnalia (December 17) was a time of merrymaking and exchange of gifts. December 25 was also regarded as the birth date of the Iranian mystery god Mithra, the Sun of Righteousness. On the Roman New Year (January 1), houses were decorated with greenery and lights, and gifts were given to children and the poor. To these observances were added the http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/idxref/0/ 0,5716,266282,00.htmlGerman and Celtic Yule rites when the Teutonic tribes penetrated into Gaul, Britain, and central Europe. Food and good fellowship, the Yule log and Yule cakes, greenery and fir trees, and gifts and greetings all commemorated different aspects of this festive season. Fires and lights, symbols of warmth and lasting life, have always been associated with the winter festival, both pagan and Christian. Since the European Middle Ages, evergreens, as symbols of survival, have been associated with Christmas... [end quote] So as any rational person can see, there is no sound basis for Christmas, nor did Jesus (peace be upon him) or his true followers celebrate Christmas or ask anyone to celebrate Christmas, nor was there any record of anyone calling themselves Christians celebrating Christmas until several hundred years after Jesus. So were the companions of Jesus more righteously guided in not celebrating Christmas or are the people of today? So if you want to respect Jesus, peace be upon him, as Muslims do, don’t celebrate some fabricated event that was chosen to coincide with pagan festivals and copy pagan customs. Do you honestly think God, or even Jesus himself, would approve or condemn such a thing? If you say approve, then obviously you are not interested in the truth. We ask Allaah, the One, Singular God, with no partners or sons, the God of all creation and mankind, to guide us all to the path of guidance and sincerity. 128

Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 7855: He is invited to go places with the kuffaar Question: I live around many non-believers and the muslims my age(in my oppinion)don’t practice Islam as it should; sometimes I’m asked to go places and do things with the non-believers and I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. JazakAllah Khair for any info u can give I want to know if it is allowed Answer: Praise be to Allaah. With regard to your going with non-Muslims and doing things with them on which you do not know the rulings, we say to you the following: It is not permissible for you to do anything that is an action belonging exclusively to the kuffaar or to join in with them in that. If you say that you do not know the ruling, we tell you that it is possible that you might join in some things with them which, according to our religion, are Kufr (disbelief), such as joining them on their festivals or fasts. Even if you are not guilty of kufr, you will not be free from committing a major sin. This is what has been stated by the imaams (major scholars) such as Ibn alQayyim in his book Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, and his shaykh (teacher) Ibn Taymiyah in Iqtidaa’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem. Even if you know this, and then you do these things out of friendship towards them, you still will not be free of sin. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen said: “And 129

whoever does any of that – i.e., joining them in their festivals – is a sinner, whether he does it just to be friendly, or because he is too shy to do otherwise, or for any other reason, because it is a kind of hypocrisy in the religion of Allaah and is a way of making the kuffaar feel stronger and making them proud of their religion. (Majmoo’ Fataawaa wa Rasaa’il Fadeelat al-Shaykh Muhammad al-‘Uthaymeen, 3/110). If you go with them on occasions other than their festivals to parties and gatherings in which there is dancing, singing, music, mixing and wanton display, this is haraam and is not allowed. If you go with the kuffaar to attend normal gatherings such as scientific lectures where there is nothing haraam involved, there is nothing wrong with this, but you should be aware that mixing too much with the kuffaar may have negative consequences. Try to meet regularly with good Muslims. May Allaah help you to do all that is good. Islam Q&A: Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islamqa.com) 6992: Convert attending his brother’s wedding party Question: Alhamdulillah, I am a convert to Islam. My family are still, however, christian. My brother is getting married and this involves a religious service in a church followed by a meal. I have told my family that I cannot partake in the religious service. I wish to know if Islam allows me to attend the meal with my wife and child, where some alcohol may be served to some christians with the meal. If it is not allowed then what advice can you give me. Please give the answer with evidence. The issue is of great importance since I have been estranged from my father (by his choice) for 7 years and I am trying to invite them to Islam. Jazakallah khayran 130

Answer: Praise be to Allaah. 1. We praise Allaah for having guided you to Islam and we ask Him to complete His favour by helping you to be steadfast and by guiding your family to Islam. You are doing the right thing by not attending the religious service in the church, because taking part in religious proceedings of non-Muslims is, at the very least, a major sin, and could lead to kufr. With regard to attending your brother’s wedding party where alcohol will be served with the food, we advise you not to take part as you say. Attending such parties is haraam and is a major sin. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… then after the remembrance sit not in the company of those people who are the zaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.)” [al-An’aam 6:68]. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his heart [by feeling that it is wrong] – and that is the weakest of faith.” (Narrated by Muslim, 49). When you take part in such events, you will not be able to change the evil actions with your hand or your tongue – in most cases – so all you can do is change it with your heart, and you cannot be really doing so if you are taking part. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him not sit at a table where wine is being drunk.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 14241, and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwaa’ al-Ghaleel, 7/6). 131

The reason why it is forbidden – as it appears – is that sitting with them implies that you condone the evil action. 4. Apart from the fact that these things are forbidden, if the brother makes these compromises, this will weaken his efforts to call his family to Islam. The more sincere the daa’iyah is towards himself and to His Lord, the stronger his efforts to call others will be. But if he compromises and vacillates, this will make him look less trustworthy in the eyes of others. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 2296: Travelling to kaafir countries for the purpose of teaching and da’wah Question: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I have nothing to do with every Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no. 1604; Abu Dawood, no. 2645. Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani. See also Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 1461). Nowadays we see hundreds of thousands of Muslims settling among the mushrikeen. Some good people have gone to set up Islamic institutions there, for the purpose of teaching the children of the Muslims, primarily, and also to call people to Allaah. If a teacher is asked to go and settle there in order to teach and call people to Allaah, is it permissible for him to respond? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Undoubtedly settling among the mushrikeen is harmful, for one is exposing oneself to temptation and evil. But if his settling there 132

will do more good, such as calling people to the religion of Allaah or teaching the Muslim children the correct ‘Aqeedah, then there is nothing wrong with it, because the good outweighs the evil that may be expected. The hadeeth “I have nothing to do with every Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen” may be interpreted as referring to those who cannot practise their religion openly in the place where they settle, and those who are able to practise their religion openly are not included in this hadeeth. But it is better to say that if a person’s settling there is more beneficial to Islam and the Muslims, then it is OK. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 4576: Pretending to be a non-Muslim in an Islamic chat room Question: Assalam u alaikum, Is it okay to go to a muslim chat site under another name pretending not to be a muslim and start questioning people about Islam? Is this deceit / haram? wa alaikumus salam. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. What is the point of doing this? If it is to distract Muslims and make them waste their energy for no purpose, then it is annoyance, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And those who annoy believing men and woman undeservedly, bear on themselves the crime of slander and plain sin.” [Al-Ahzaab 33:58] Add to that the fact that this includes lying and deliberately misleading people. If you want to benefit the readers or nonMuslims, then do this in a proper Islamic manner – and there are 133

so many ways of doing this. We ask Allaah to guide us all and give us strength. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 4948: Can a Muslim allow a non-Muslim guest to observe the rituals of kufr in his home? Question: If a non-Muslim visitor comes and lives in your home for a few days is it permissible that the Muslim host allows him/her to perform their prayers and rituals according to their own religion? Will the Muslim host be considered a sinner in this case as some of the prayers and rituals of other religions may not conform to Islamic beliefs? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Can a Muslim allow a non-Muslim guest to observe the rituals of kufr in his home? We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al‘Uthaymeen, who answered as follows: Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible for you to willingly consent to that, because this is kufr and the person has no religion, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings): “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85] “And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur’ân) that when you hear the Verses of Allâh being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that” [al-Nisa’ 4:140]

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Also, this visitor is humiliating you by doing this, because he knows that you do not like it, so you should not let him humiliate you. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 3485: Making du’aa’ for parents when one is not sure whether they became Muslim or not Question: A person became Muslim, and his parents were kaafirs. He was taken prisoner (or enslaved) as a young child, and his parents died without him ever knowing whether they became Muslim or not. He thinks his mother most likely became Muslim, but not his father. Can he pray for forgiveness for them and make du’aa’ asking Allaah to show mercy towards them? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible for him to make du’aa’ for them by name, because all he knows for sure is that they remained kaafirs, and it is haraam to make du’aa’ for a kaafir. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “It is not proper for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allaah’s Forgiveness for the mushrikeen (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah) even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire.” [al-Tawbah 9:113] 135

But it is mustahabb to make ask Allaah to forgive and show mercy to every Muslim, which includes whoever became Muslim from among his father, mother, grandfathers and grandmothers, all the way back to Adam and Hawwa, peace be upon them. And Allaah knows best. From Fatawa al-Imaam al-Nawawi, p. 84. (www.islam-qa.com) 3325: Taking part in non-Muslim celebrations in order to encourage them to take part in our celebrations Question: Can we take part in non-Muslim celebration only so that they might be attracted to our celebrations too? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. If these celebrations are the festivals of the kuffaar and mushrikeen, it is not permissible to take part in those innovated festivals, because doing so implies helping them to commit sin and transgression. Taking part in their festivals also involves imitating the kuffaar, which is forbidden in Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Reported by Abu Dawood and Ahmad). ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to say: “Avoid the enemies of Allaah during their festivals.” (Reported by al-Bayhaqi). If what is referred to is accepting an invitation to a meal, for example, and there is nothing involved that is forbidden in Islam, such as mixing of men and women, or foods forbidden by Allaah such as wine and pork, or dancing and music and so on, and this participation does not imply that one loves these kuffaar, then there is nothing wrong with accepting their invitation. He should try to convey the message of Islam to them. The Prophet (peace 136

and blessings of Allaah be upon him) accepted the invitation of some of the Jews. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 3885: Military service in kaafir armies and working as a “chaplain” in those armies Question: What is the ruling on Muslims serving in the military of non muslim country ? What is the evidence for its permissibility or prohibition? And lastly, what is the status of a Muslim working to help those in the military to fulfill their obligations to Allaah while serving in the Army, Navy, or whatever? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al‘Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, who answered as follows: “Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. Military matters are problematic, because they involve helping these kuffaar to wage war against the Muslims or those who have entered into a treaty with the Muslims. If no such thing is involved, it may be advantageous for Muslims to work in these armies so as to learn their secrets and be aware of their potential evil. In other words, if working in these armies could be of benefit, it may be permissible, otherwise it is not allowed.” On this basis, if a person works as a preacher or daa’iyah or imaam or muezzin, serving the Muslims and calling non-Muslims to Islam, then there is nothing wrong with this. 137

Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 3062: Is it permissible for Muslims to vote for kaafirs who seem to be less evil? Question: Some Moslems in a non Islamic country are asking if it is OK to participate in the elections there and vote for non Moslem groups or parties. They claim that it would serve the Moslem community there if a certain group won the elections? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. This is a matter concerning which rulings may differ according to different circumstances in different times and places. There is no absolute ruling that covers all situations, both real and hypothetical. In some cases it is wrong to vote, such as when the matter will have no effect on the Muslims, or when the Muslims have no effect on the outcome of the vote. In this case voting or not voting is all the same. The same applies in cases where all the candidates are equally evil or where they all have the same attitude towards Muslims… It may be the case that the interests of Islam require Muslims to vote so as to ward off the greater evil and to reduce harmful effects, such as where two candidates may be non-Muslims but one of them is less hostile towards Muslims than the other, and Muslims’ votes will have an impact on the outcome of the election. In such cases there is nothing wrong with Muslims casting their votes in favour of the less evil candidate. In any case, this is the matter of ijtihaad based on the principle of weighing up the pros and cons, what is in the interests of Islam 138

and what is detrimental. With regard to this matter, we have to refer to the people of knowledge who understand this principle. We should put the question to them, explaining in detail the circumstances and laws in the country where the Muslim community is living, the state of the candidates, the importance of the vote, the likely benefits, and so on. No one should imagine that anyone who says that it is OK to vote is thereby expressing approval or support for kufr. It is done in the interests of the Muslims, not out of love for kufr and its people. The Muslims rejoiced when the Romans defeated the Persians, as did the Muslims in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) when the Negus defeated those who had challenged his authority. This is well known from history. Whoever wants to be on the safe side and abstain from voting is allowed to do so. This response applies only to elections for influential positions. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 3238: Ruling on giving charity to non-Muslims Question: Is it permissible to give charity to non-Muslims if they are in urgent need? Will the person who gives such charity be rewarded? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is permissible to give charity to non-Muslims and this action will be rewarded, if they are in need of it, but they should not be given the obligatory charity, i.e. zakaat, unless they are those whose hearts are to be softened (i.e., they are close to embracing Islam). It is a condition for giving charity to non-Muslims that they should not be involvied in fighting the Muslims or driving 139

them from their homes, because charity in such cases would be seen as helping them to wage war against the Muslims. (Fataawa Mutanawwi’ah by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 521). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity. It is only as regards those who fought against you on account of religion, and have driven you out of your homes, and helped to drive you out, that Allaah forbids you to befriend them. And whosoever will befriend them, then such are the zaalimoon (wrong-doers – those who disobey Allaah.)” [al-Mumtahimah 60:8-9]. Muslims should seek first and foremost to give their charity to their Muslim brothers who are in need, and there are plenty of them. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 3454: Arabic numerals vs. European numerals Question: There is a theory current among some educated people which says that the Arabic numerals in their current form (?-?-?-?, etc.) are actually Indian numerals, and that the European numerals (12-3-4, etc.) are the original Arabic numerals. This conclusion leads them a step further, so that they call for the use of the European form of numerals in Arab countries, supporting their demand with the fact that the European numerals are used in calculations and dealings with foreign states and institutions which have come to have a great deal of influence on the economic and social affairs of Arab countries. They also refer to the appearance of calculators and computers which only use these numerals, and this – they 140

claim – makes the use of European numerals in Arab countries something to be desired, if not unavoidable. What do you think? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible to change the Arabic numerals which are currently in use and replace them with the numerals used in the western world, for the following reasons: Firstly: there is no proof of what the advocates of change say about the numerals used in the West being Arabic numerals. What is known is something other than that, as is proven by reality and the fact that for centuries the current numerals were used in different circumstances and different fields, which makes them Arabic. There are words in the Arabic language which were not originally Arabic, but they became part of the Arabic language through usage, to the extent that some of these words are to be found in the Qur’aan; these words are described as Arabized. Secondly: this idea has bad consequences and harmful effects, because it is a step towards the gradual Westernization of Islamic societies. Thirdly: it paves the way for changing the Arabic script and using Latin script instead of Arabic, even in the long run. Fourthly: it is an aspect of imitating the West and approving of its ways. Fifthly: all the copies of the Qur’aan (masaahif), books of Tafseer, Arabic dictionaries and other books use the current Arabic numerals in numbering their pages etc., and in referring to other sources. All these books represent a vast store of knowledge. If the foreign numerals are used instead, this will make it very difficult for the coming generation to access this vast store of knowledge. Sixthly: It is not necessary to follow certain Arab countries which are accustomed to using these European numerals. Many of these 141

countries have also abolished something even more important, which is ruling according to the whole sharee’ah of Allaah, which is the source of honour, power and happiness in this world and the next, so what they (those countries) have done is nothing to go by. Fataawa Islamiyyah,P 528 (www.islam-qa.com) 2179: Clarification of the important rule: it is haraam to take kaafirs as close friends and protectors Question: We hope that you will be able to explain, with examples, what is meant by the phrase, “Taking kaafirs as close friends and protectors is haraam.” Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Yes, examples will certainly explain and clarify what is meant, so we will move straight on to quoting some of the most important points that the scholars and leaders of da’wah have said about different ways of showing friendship towards kaafirs. Accepting their kufr and doubting that it is kufr at all, or refraining from labelling them as kaafirs, or praising their religion. Allaah says about the kufr of the one who accepts them (interpretation of the meaning): “… but such as open their breasts to disbelief…” [al-Nahl 16:106]. Allaah says, making it obligatory to label the kaafirs as such (interpretation of the meaning): “… Whoever disbelieves in Taaghoot [false deities] and believes in Allaah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break…” [al-Baqarah 2:256]. Allaah says about the munaafiqoon (hypocrites) who prefer the kuffaar to the Muslims (interpretation of the meaning) “… [they] say to the disbelievers that they are better guided as regards the way than the believers (Muslims).” [al-Nisa’ 4:51]. 142

Referring to them for judgement. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… they wish to got for judgement (in their disputes) to the Taaghoot (false judges, etc.) while they have been ordered to reject them…” [al-Nisa’ 4:60] Befriending and liking them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “You will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger…” [al-Mujaadilah 58:22] Inclining towards them, relying upon them and taking them as a support. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And incline not towards those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you…” [Hood 11:113] Helping and supporting them against the Muslims. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “The believers, men and women, are awliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another…” [al-Tawbah 9:71]. He also says of the kuffaar that they are “ but awliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) to one another…” [al-Maa’idah 5:51]. And He says (interpretation of the meaning): “…And if any amongst you takes them as awliya’, then surely he is one of them.” [al-Maa’idah 5:51]. Becoming members of their societies, joining their parties, increasing their numbers, taking their nationalities (except in cases of necessity), serving in their armies or helping to develop their weapons. Bringing their laws and rules to the Muslim countries. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Do they then seek the judgement of the Days of Ignorance?…” [al-Maa’idah 5:50] Taking them as friends in general terms, taking them as helpers and supporters, and throwing in one’s lot with them. Allaah forbids all this, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as awliya’ (friends, 143

protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but awliya’ to one another…” [al-Maa’idah 5:51]. Compromising with them and being nice to them at the expense of one’s religion. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them, so that they (too) would compromise with you.” [al-Qalam 68:9]. This includes sitting with them and entering upon them at the time when they are making fun of the Signs of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And it has already been revealed to you in the Book that when you hear the Verses of Allaah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them), certainly in that case you would be like them…” [al-Nisa’ 4:140] Trusting them and taking them as advisors and consultants instead of the believers. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Take not as (your) bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends, etc.) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made clear to you the aayaat (proofs, evidence, verses), if you understand. Lo! You are the ones who love them but they love you not, and you believe in all the Scriptures [i.e., you believe in the Tawraat and the Injeel, while they disbelieve in your Book (the Qur’aan)]. And when they meet you, they say, ‘We believe.’ But when they are alone, they bite the tips of their fingers at you in rage. Say: ‘Perish in your rage. Certainly Allaah knows what is in the breasts (all the secrets).’ If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it…” [Aal ‘Imran 3:118-120]. Imaam Ahmad and Muslim reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out to (the battle of) Badr, and a man from among the mushrikeen followed him and caught 144

up with him at al-Harrah. He said, “I wanted to follow you and join you, and have some of the war-booty with you.” (The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) said: “Do you believe in Allaah and His Messenger?” He said, “No.” He said, “Go back, I do not need help from a mushrik.” From these texts it is clear that we are forbidden to appoint kaafirs to positions whereby they could find out the secrets of the Muslims and plot against them by trying to do all kinds of harm. Putting them in administrative positions where they are bosses of Muslims and can humiliate them, run their affairs and prevent them from practising their religion. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… and never will Allaah grant to the disbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers.” [al-Nisa’ 4:141]. Imaam Ahmad reported that Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I said to ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him). ‘I have a Christian scribe.’ He said, ‘What is wrong with you, may Allaah strike you dead! Have you not heard the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning), “O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as awliya’ (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but awliya’ to one another…” [al-Maa’idah 5:51]”? Why do you not employ a haneef [i.e., a Muslim]?’ I said, ‘O Ameer al-Mu’mineen, I benefit from his work and he keeps his religion to himself.’ He said, ‘I will never honour them when Allaah has humiliated them, and I will never bring them close to me when Allaah has expelled them from His mercy.’” Similarly, we should not employ them in Muslim homes where they can see our private matters and they bring our children up as kaafirs. This is what is happening nowadays when kaafirs are brought to Muslim countries as workers, drivers, servants and nannies in Muslim homes and families. Neither should we send our children to kaafir schools, missionary institutions and evil colleges and universities, or make them live with kaafir families. 145

Imitating the kaafirs in dress, appearance, speech, etc., because this indicates love of the person or people imitated. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” It is forbidden to imitate the kaafirs in customs, habits and matters of outward appearance and conduct that are characteristic of them. This includes shaving the beard, letting the moustache grow long, and speaking their languages, except when necessary, as well as matters of clothing, food and drink, etc. Staying in their countries when there is no need to do so. Allaah forbade the weak and oppressed Muslims to stay among the kaafirs if they are able to migrate. He says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): ‘In what (condition) were you?’ They reply, ‘We were weak and oppressed on earth.’ They (angels) say: ‘Was not the earth of Allaah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?’ Such men will find their abode in Hell –what an evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, women and children, who cannot devise a plan, nor are the able to direct their way.” [al-Nisa’ 4:97-98]. Nobody will be excused for staying in a kaafir country except for those who are truly weak and oppressed and cannot migrate, or those who stay among them for a valid religious purpose such as da’wah and spreading Islam in their countries. It is forbidden to live among them when there is no need to do so. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I disown the one who stays among the mushrikeen.” Travelling to their countries for vacations and leisure purposes. But going there for a legitimate reason – such as medical treatment, trade, and learning specialized skills that cannot be obtained in any other way – is permitted in cases of need, and 146

when the need has been fulfilled, it is obligatory to return to the Muslim world. This permission is also given under the condition that the wouldbe traveller has sufficient knowledge to dispel his doubts, to control his physical desires, to demonstrate his religion, to be proud of being Muslim, to keep away from evil places, and to be aware and cautious of the plots of his enemies. It is also permissible, and even obligatory, to travel to their lands for the sake of da’wah and spreading Islam. Praising them and their civilization and culture, defending them, and admiring their behaviour and skills, without taking note of their false ideology and corrupt religion. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them (disbelievers), the splendour of the life of this world that We may test them thereby. But the provision (good reward in the Hereafter) of your Lord is better and more lasting.” [Ta-Ha 20:131]. It is also forbidden to honour them, give them titles of respect, initiate greetings to them, give them the best seats in gatherings, and give way to them in the street. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not be the first to greet a Jew or a Christian (do not initiate the greeting), and if you meet one of them in the street, then push him to the narrowest part of the way.” Forsaking the Islamic calendar and using their calendar, especially since it reflects their rituals and festivals, as is the case with the Gregorian (Western) calendar, which is connected to the supposed date of the birth of the Messiah (peace be upon him), which is an innovation that they have fabricated and that has nothing to do with the religion of ‘Eesa (Jesus). Using this calendar implies approval of their festivals and symbols. In order to avoid all of that, when the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) established a calendar for the Muslims during the time of ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him), they ignored 147

all the systems of the kuffaar and created a new calendar starting from the date of the Prophet’s Hijrah. This indicates that it is obligatory to differ from the kuffaar in this matter and others where it is the matter of distinct characteristics. And Allaah is the Source of Help. Taking part in their holidays and festivals, helping them to celebrate them, congratulating them on these occasions or attending places where such celebrations are held. The phrase al-zoor [falsehood] in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning) “And those who do not witness falsehood…” [al-Furqaan 25:72] was interpreted as meaning the festivals of the kuffaar. Using their names that have bad meanings. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) changed names whose meanings involved shirk, such as ‘Abd al-‘Uzza and ‘Abd alKa’bah. Seeking forgiveness for them and asking Allaah for mercy for them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allaah’s forgiveness for the mushrikeen, even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in s state of disbelief).” [al-Tawbah 9:113] These examples should give a clear picture of what is meant by the prohibition of forming close friendships with the kaafirs. We ask Allaah to keep our belief sound and our faith strong. And Allaah is the Source of Help. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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Part 6 2847: Wants to become Muslim but lives in drug country Question: Dear Sir, For a muslim, is it allowed to use drugs like cocaine . Here in Columbia 70 % of the people use it . When I want to become a muslim, must I stop it ? I am waiting for your answer. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. It is a great thing to learn that you are thinking of embracing Islam, although you live in a country where drugs are rife and are not following any religion at present. We were amazed and impressed to know that a man living in such circumstances has reached the point where he wants to become Muslim, but Allaah is able to do all things, and He guides whom He wills to the Straight Path. Perhaps the Divine care has been preparing you to embrace the true religion in spite of the intense darkness, kufr (disbelief) and drug-ridden atmosphere that surround you. The unbelieving man is dead at heart even though his body is alive, but when Allaah guides him to the light of Islam, his heart awakens and he sees a whole new meaning to life as he starts to follow the guidance of his Lord. Allaah says in His Holy Book (interpretation of the meaning): “Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and faith) and set for him a Light (belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out?…” [al-An’aam 6:122]. So come to true life, and follow the Light which Allaah has revealed, and you will find that which will delight you and bring you peace of mind, when you worship Allaah. As regards the issue of drugs, no doubt you would expect this 149

great religion to forbid everything that is harmful and to permit everything that is beneficial, and not to allow man to lose his mind and go crazy, doing all kinds of foolish things without any awareness and destroying his body. This is what happens when people take drugs and prevent themselves from thinking about or worshipping Allaah. This poison opens the door to hostile aggression, and destroys religion, lives, minds, honour and wealth. And so no wise person can doubt that drugs are totally forbidden. We fully understand that addiction is no straightforward matter and that recovery is no simple process, but this should not prevent you from entering Islam and embracing the way of truth with which Allaah has sent His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Rest assured that when you embrace Islam, this will give you strength and will-power to overcome this addiction and rid yourself of this disease and sin. All of this may take some time, but this should not make you hesitate to embrace Islam. Become Muslim and you will be safe from the problems of this world and the punishment of the Hereafter. We are prepared to stand by you and help you with any difficulty that you may face. We thank you for your question and ask Allaah to guide you soon. Peace be upon those who follow the truth. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 212: Accepting donations from non-Muslims Question: Can muslims accept donations from non-muslims to use in Islamic Cause? Answer: Imaam al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) gave one of 150

the chapters in his Saheeh the title of “Baab qabool al-hadiyah min al-mushrikeen (Chapter on accepting gifts from the polytheists),” under which heading he listed a number of ahaadeeth indicating that this is permitted. Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar commented: “On this topic, Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi narrated from ‘Ayyaad ibn Himar [??] who said: ‘I gave the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) a gift of a she-camel. He asked me, “Have you become Muslim?” I said, “No.” He said, “I have been forbidden to accept the gifts of the mushrikeen.”’ Then al-Haafiz (may Allaah have mercy on him) quoted some of the comments made by the scholars to reconcile the texts which indicate that such gifts should be refused with those which indicate that they should be accepted. (The scholars said that) gifts should be refused when the intention behind them is to win the Muslim over (by softening his heart towards them), and they should be accepted when by doing so there is the hope of befriending that person and opening his heart to Islam. There is nothing wrong with accepting unsolicited gifts and donations from non-Muslims, and it is permissible to spend them on Islamic projects and in other ways. But asking for donations from non-Muslims carries several risks, such as being humiliated in front of them or being controlled by them. If there is no danger of such things happening, there is nothing wrong with asking. When he was still in Makkah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to ask for help for the sake of da’wah, without any humiliation involved, from some of the mushrikeen, such as his uncle Abu Taalib and others. There is no humiliation involved in putting out charity boxes or circulating flyers giving account numbers for donations, and so on. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A 151

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 947: Ruling on celebrating non-Muslim holidays and congratulating them Question: Can a muslim celebrate a non muslim holiday like Thanksgiving? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Greeting the kuffaar on Christmas and other religious holidays of theirs is haraam, by consensus, as Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy on him, said in Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah: “Congratulating the kuffaar on the rituals that belong only to them is haraam by consensus, as is congratulating them on their festivals and fasts by saying ‘A happy festival to you’ or ‘May you enjoy your festival,’ and so on. If the one who says this has been saved from kufr, it is still forbidden. It is like congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross, or even worse than that. It is as great a sin as congratulating someone for drinking wine, or murdering someone, or having illicit sexual relations, and so on. Many of those who have no respect for their religion fall into this error; they do not realize the offensiveness of their actions. Whoever congratulates a person for his disobedience or bid’ah or kufr exposes himself to the wrath and anger of Allaah.” Congratulating the kuffaar on their religious festivals is haraam to the extent described by Ibn al-Qayyim because it implies that one accepts or approves of their rituals of kufr, even if one would not accept those things for oneself. But the Muslim should not aceept the rituals of kufr or congratulate anyone else for them, because Allaah does not accept any of that at all, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): 152

“If you disbelieve, then verily, Allaah is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you. . .” [al-Zumar 39:7] “. . . This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion . . .” [al-Maa’idah 5:3] So congratulating them is forbidden, whether they are one’s colleagues at work or otherwise. If they greet us on the occasion of their festivals, we should not respond, because these are not our festivals, and because they are not festivals which are acceptable to Allaah. These festivals are innovations in their religions, and even those which may have been prescribed formerly have been abrogated by the religion of Islaam, with which Allaah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to the whole of mankind. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "Whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85] It is haraam for a Muslim to accept invitations on such occasions, because this is worse than congratulating them as it implies taking part in their celebrations. Similarly, Muslims are forbidden to imitate the kuffaar by having parties on such occasions, or exchanging gifts, or giving out sweets or food, or taking time off work, etc., because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah said in his book Iqtidaa’ al-siraat al-mustaqeem mukhaalifat ashaab al-jaheem: “Imitating them in some of their festivals implies that one is pleased with their false beliefs and practices, 153

and gives them the hope that they may have the opportunity to humiliate and mislead the weak.” Whoever does anything of this sort is a sinner, whether he does it out of politeness or to be friendly, or because he is too shy to refuse, or for whatever other reason, because this is hypocrisy in Islaam, and because it makes the kuffaar feel proud of their religion. Allaah is the One Whom we ask to make the Muslims feel proud of their religion, to help them adhere steadfastly to it, and to make them victorious over their enemies, for He is the Strong and Omnipotent. Majmoo’ah Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/ 369) (www.islam-qa.com) 1015: Ruling on helping a Muslim move to a non-Muslim country Question: I need your help in a fiqh issue. My friend wants me to help him in finding a job here in the US. The process as we all know would be that he’ll get a job here the company will sponsor him with an H-1. That could in the future convert to Green card with the due process. I know I’m not be in the process of his applying for the Green Card, but the initial step of his landing here I would be part of it. So, is it Islamically okay for me to help someone to land here in the US (I think he wants to move to US & not move back again to Pakistan)- a non-Islamic/Muslim state? I think I would be responsible for that if something goes wrong with him or his family - aqeedah wise? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. If your friend concerning whom you asked this question is a man of religion and insight, who has enough 154

knowledge to protect himself from confusion and doubts, and enough wisdom to protect himself from desires, there is nothing wrong with helping him to move to the non-Islamic country where you live, so that he might gain employment or complete his studies or gain experience, and other similar permissible aims. But if he is a man for whom you fear that he may fall into error, then it is not permissible for you to help him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “. . . Help one another in al-birr and al-taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety), but do not help one another in sin and transgression. . .” [al-Maa’idah 5:2] This is what we have learnt from our shaykh, Shaykh ‘Abd al’Azeez ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Baaz, with whose knowledge Allaah has benefitted us. Allah is the Source of help. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 1204: Rules Related to Befriending Non-Muslims Question: What is the view of Islam towards friendship with followers of different religions Answer: Praise be to Allah; Reply for this question would be the same as the reply to question #23325. In addition, the following should be noted: * We should differentiate between good treatment of nonMuslims and befriending them. 155

oppression, or to prevent or reduce it by using the existing laws which may contain something of justice and decency, then it is permissible if his intention is to seek the pleasure of Allah. He may do this work even if it involves preventing only some people - but not all - from getting drunk, for example. But if it involves enforcing laws that are unjust to people - whether they are Muslim or not - or enforcing something that goes against the Sharee’ah, like preventing people from wearing hijaab or praying, or giving some kind of protection to criminals, and so on, then this is not permitted at all. The wise and clever Muslim knows from experience to what extent his work is in accordance with the Sharee’ah that is based on the common good and on preventing corruption. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com) 782: Selling greeting cards for Christian holidays Question: At work - I am a cashier, and there are Christmas cards with shirk on them “Jesus is God - and Loves You” etc... If a customer brings these to me, and I ring him up and put the money in the register - am I a kaafir? I hate the shirk, ......., ......, am I a kaafir? Answer: Al-hamdu lillaah As long as you are a true believer, who believes in the oneness of Allah, the Most Gracious, and who has not committed any act that would expel you from the religion of Islam, and as long as 157