Muslim’s Obligations Towards Disbelievers
Being a Muslim is the greatest blessing of Allah SWT on anyone. Every believer has strong faith in the Oneness of the Almighty Lord and is aware of His commandments in both religious and other life matters. Muslims are the most lucky nation of all times as they have been consecrated with the unmatched leadership and direction of the Last Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ and are given the Holy Book of Quran. Every Prophet had the responsibility to make their people aware of God`s Instructions and bring them toward morality.
Say, “This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah; and I am not of those who associate others with Him.” [Quran, 12: 108]
Being devotees of the Religion of Peace, it is our duty to continue the Prophetic tradition and continue serving the true spirit of Islam. When the Apostle ﷺ of Allah received first revelation, it was the time of polytheism and the Makkans were busy in worshipping different kinds of gods. He (PBUH) invited them all towards the Message of Truth without fear and in the end managed to spread Islam with His supreme wisdom and patience. Likewise, when we interact with non-Muslims, it is also our duty to call them towards Islam through Dawah and our rightful actions.
And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, “Indeed, I am of the Muslims.” [Quran, 41: 33]
The above mentioned Ayah Kareema shows that it is our religious obligation to call the disbelievers towards morality in a manner that is dear to Allah SWT, i.e. through pleasant preaching whilst maintaining uprightness. The above mentioned Ayah also shows that one should not just declare being a Muslim through tongue but it must be accompanied with correct action.
Following are discussed some of the major obligations of a Muslim toward non-Muslims in one`s life time:
Invitation to Islamic Creed
In this day and age when Islam is under constant threat of Western propaganda, it is our responsibility to manage this situation by playing our due role. It is our duty to clarify matters and make the disbelievers know about actual gist of Islamic teachings. One should take it as a waste of effort, rather it should be considered as an attempt that will definitely yield good results. As the Messenger ﷺ of God is reported to have said:
“The one who guides to good gets the same reward as the one who performs it.” (Muslim)
It shows that even one tries to preach goodness to others gets the same blessings from Allah SWT as if it has performed that deed. That is why; Dawah (Preaching Islam) is a highly respectful and fruitful deed being the way of the Prophets and their true advocates. The Holy Prophet ﷺ, while sending Hazrat Ali (R.A) on a mission of Kheybar, advised him to first call them towards the Religion of Peace.
“By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels.” (Muslim and Bukhari)
It means that even one is in condition of a battle with non believers; one should first try to peacefully convince them towards the Message of Truth. Such is the great importance of treating disbelievers with good behavior while calling them towards Islam.
Fulfillment of Rights of Non Believers
A Muslim needs to treat all doubters of the Religion of Peace alike, and make no exceptions in dealing with them on the basis of wealth, cast, status or relationships. All of them are required to be dealt with honesty without violating any of their rights and privileges.
“The Angel Gabriel kept advising me concerning the neighbor until I thought he was going to inherit [from his neighbor].” (Muslim and Bukhari)
This previously stated Hadith signifies that neighbors have very high regard in the Religion of Peace. It is worth noting that Rasulullah ﷺ has only mentioned fellow citizens and has not specifically talked about Muslim alone. It means that whichever faith they belong to, there should be no discrimination made among them and one has to treat them fairly.
“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes – from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” [Quran, 60: 8]
These Quranic lines clearly indicate that one should always be kind to non believers when there is no sign of danger from them. This is because a Muslim always has to act fairly to others no matter who they are, or where they belong to.
Responding to Greetings of Peace
Although every Muslim has the duty to take care of fellow society members whether they are from other belief, but it is admissible to say “Assalam o Alaikum” (May the peace be upon you) first. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do not give the greetings of peace first to the Jew or Christian.” (Muslim)
This is because they do not have the belief on Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Holy Quran and Islamic instructions. But if they greet a Muslim with harmony, then response of a believer should be according to a following Hadith:
“If the people of the book give you the greeting of peace, then say, ‘Wa Alaikum (and upon you). “ (Bukhari)
It shows that one should also not act rigidly and rather say “Wa Alaikum (And upon you) towards the friendly disbeliever as a good gesture.
Avoiding Participation in Festivals
It is not acceptable for a Muslim to be an active part of celebrations of disbelievers which directly counteract the Islamic commands. Their religious carnivals are exactly opposing to Allah`s directions which means that a believe has to keep away from them.
“It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire.” [Quran, 9: 113]
The above declared Ayah shows that one cannot ask the Most Merciful to have clemency on the disbelieving people as they forever inhabitants of hell because of their disbelief. It means that if one cannot ask for their pardon from the Almighty Lord, then one should also maintain a great distance from their ways and traditions of living.
In short, Allah SWT and His Messenger ﷺ have directed all the disciples of Islam to have pleasant interaction with non believers, invite them towards righteousness through good actions and fulfill their due rights.
