Rulings on Companionship with Disbelievers
Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi رحمه الله
Ruling on Taking a Disbeliever as a Companion
A disbeliever is not the brother of a Muslim. Allah Almighty says:
«إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ» [Al-Hujurat: 10]
"The believers are but brothers."
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 6591; Sahih Muslim 2580/58]
No disbeliever—be he a Jew, Christian, idol-worshipper, fire-worshipper, atheist, communist, or otherwise—is a Muslim's brother. Therefore, it is not permissible to take such a person as a friend and close companion.
If, however, on some occasion he eats with you without having been taken as a friend or close companion—such as at a public feast or unexpectedly—then there is no harm. But making him a friend, companion, confidant, or sharing food and drink habitually with him is not permissible, because Allah Almighty has severed the bond of love and loyalty between us and them.
Allah Almighty says in His Great Book:
«قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ إِذْ قَالُوا لِقَوْمِهِمْ إِنَّا بُرَآءُ مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ كَفَرْنَا بِكُمْ وَبَدَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةُ وَالْبَغْضَاءُ أَبَدًا حَتَّىٰ تُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ» [Al-Mumtahanah: 4]
"Indeed, there has been an excellent example for you in Abraham and those with him when they said to their people, ‘Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship besides Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you enmity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone.’"
He also says:
«لَّا تَجِدُ قَوْمًا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ يُوَادُّونَ مَنْ حَادَّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ» [Al-Mujadilah: 22]
"You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger..."
And further:
«وَلَوْ كَانُوا آبَاءَهُمْ أَوْ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ أَوْ إِخْوَانَهُمْ أَوْ عَشِيرَتَهُمْ» [Al-Mujadilah: 22]
"...even if they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred."
Therefore, it is obligatory for a Muslim to declare disassociation (bara’ah) from the polytheists and to harbor hatred for them for the sake of Allah. However, this does not mean wrongfully harming them, causing them loss, or oppressing them. Rather, one must refrain from making them friends or intimate companions.
If it happens by chance—such as at a public invitation or a temporary meal—that one eats with them without developing friendship, love, or companionship, then there is no harm.
[Ibn Baz: Noor ‘ala al-Darb: 1/370]
Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi رحمه الله
Ruling on Taking a Disbeliever as a Companion
A disbeliever is not the brother of a Muslim. Allah Almighty says:
«إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ» [Al-Hujurat: 10]
"The believers are but brothers."
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 6591; Sahih Muslim 2580/58]
No disbeliever—be he a Jew, Christian, idol-worshipper, fire-worshipper, atheist, communist, or otherwise—is a Muslim's brother. Therefore, it is not permissible to take such a person as a friend and close companion.
If, however, on some occasion he eats with you without having been taken as a friend or close companion—such as at a public feast or unexpectedly—then there is no harm. But making him a friend, companion, confidant, or sharing food and drink habitually with him is not permissible, because Allah Almighty has severed the bond of love and loyalty between us and them.
Allah Almighty says in His Great Book:
«قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ إِذْ قَالُوا لِقَوْمِهِمْ إِنَّا بُرَآءُ مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ كَفَرْنَا بِكُمْ وَبَدَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةُ وَالْبَغْضَاءُ أَبَدًا حَتَّىٰ تُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ» [Al-Mumtahanah: 4]
"Indeed, there has been an excellent example for you in Abraham and those with him when they said to their people, ‘Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship besides Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you enmity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone.’"
He also says:
«لَّا تَجِدُ قَوْمًا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ يُوَادُّونَ مَنْ حَادَّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ» [Al-Mujadilah: 22]
"You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger..."
And further:
«وَلَوْ كَانُوا آبَاءَهُمْ أَوْ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ أَوْ إِخْوَانَهُمْ أَوْ عَشِيرَتَهُمْ» [Al-Mujadilah: 22]
"...even if they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred."
Therefore, it is obligatory for a Muslim to declare disassociation (bara’ah) from the polytheists and to harbor hatred for them for the sake of Allah. However, this does not mean wrongfully harming them, causing them loss, or oppressing them. Rather, one must refrain from making them friends or intimate companions.
If it happens by chance—such as at a public invitation or a temporary meal—that one eats with them without developing friendship, love, or companionship, then there is no harm.
[Ibn Baz: Noor ‘ala al-Darb: 1/370]
