Islam has not only given non-Muslims religious freedom but has also allowed social partnership, courtesy and mixing with them, because Islam is a way of life that contains all the elements, grace and generosity needed to build a world society. Many large books have been written on the beauty and generosity of Islam towards non-Muslims.

This article discusses a few basic matters that show how the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) treated non-Muslims.

Sitting with non-Muslims and talking to them is permitted, and if necessary they may even sit in a mosque. When a delegation of the Thaqif tribe came to the Prophet, they stayed near the dome at the end of the mosque.

When prayer time came, one man said: "O Messenger of Allah, it is time for prayer. These are a group of non-Muslims, and they are in the mosque." The Prophet replied: "The ground does not become impure because of non-Muslims." (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, hadith 8576)

Visiting a sick non-Muslim is Sunnah. The Prophet used to visit sick non-Muslims, invite them to faith and care for them. Anas said that a Jewish boy used to serve the Prophet. When the boy fell ill, the Prophet went to see him, sat by his head and told him to accept Islam. The boy looked at his father, who said: "Obey Abul Qasim." The boy accepted Islam, and the Prophet left saying: "Praise be to Allah, who has saved him from the Fire."

Just as the living have rights, so do the dead, and where necessary Muslims should help with their burial or funeral rites, because they belong to humankind, the best of creation. Abdur Rahman ibn Abi Laila narrated that Sahl ibn Hunaif and Qais ibn Saad were sitting at Qadisiyyah when some people passed by carrying a funeral bier. The two men stood up. They were told that the dead man was an unbeliever, and they replied that a funeral had once been carried past the Prophet and he had stood up. When he was told it was the funeral of a Jew, he said: "Is it not a soul (a human being)?" (Sahih Bukhari, hadith 1213)

Non-Muslims who live in a Muslim country as protected citizens, abiding by the laws of the Muslim state, may not be killed, and nor may those who come to a Muslim country on a visa. Protecting their lives and property is as essential as protecting those of Muslims. A hadith says: "Whoever kills a non-Muslim citizen will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance can be smelt from a distance of 40 years' travel." (Bukhari, hadith 3166)

The word sadaqah is generally used for voluntary giving. In that sense, all scholars agree that giving to any non-Muslim is permitted. If a non-Muslim neighbour is attacked or in distress, Muslims should come forward to help.

Zakat, however, one of the economic driving forces of an Islamic state, may not be given to non-Muslims. The distinct ruling is kept only for zakat; any other charity, even fitra, may be given to non-Muslims. Zakat is paid once a year. It becomes obligatory on a wealthy Muslim who holds wealth beyond their needs equal to seven and a half bhori of gold or fifty-two and a half bhori of silver, or its cash value, for a full year, and 2.5 per cent of that wealth must be paid. Sadaqah, on the other hand, can be given in any amount at any time of year to Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and anyone who is reasonably well off can give it, not only the rich.

Living in society means meeting people of many classes, professions, views and paths, including non-Muslims. A non-Muslim may be a Muslim's neighbour. If someone's neighbour or relative is a non-Muslim, Islam's instruction is to uphold the rights of neighbourliness or kinship with them too.

The Quran and hadith clearly say that relations must be maintained even with those who are not Muslims. In one verse Allah says: "But if they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them, yet keep company with them in this world with kindness, and follow the path of the one who turns to Me. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you of what you used to do." (Surah Luqman, 15)

Asma bint Abi Bakr said that in the Prophet's time her mother, who was a polytheist, came to visit her. She asked the Prophet: "My mother has come, and she has turned away from Islam. Shall I keep ties with her?" He said: "Yes, keep ties with her." (Bukhari, hadith 2620)

The main aim of Islam is the welfare of humanity. Mutual dealings and giving can play a special role in removing hostility between Muslims and non-Muslims, and there is no alternative to building a harmonious society if we are to leave behind a beautiful, liveable world.

Source: Amader Shomoy. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.