Kindness to Non-Muslim Neighbors and Islamic Boundaries

Authored by: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (رحمه الله)

Question:

If we have non-Muslim (Christian) neighbors who give us gifts, how should we interact with them? Can Muslim women appear unveiled before them, and can they see any part of our body besides the face? Is it permissible for us to purchase goods from Christian shopkeepers?

Answer:

✅ Treat Neighbors with Kindness
Islam encourages good treatment towards neighbors, regardless of their faith. If non-Muslim neighbors give you a permissible gift, it is recommended to reciprocate with kindness.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) accepted gifts from non-Muslims, including the Roman Emperor.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur'an:

لَّا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ ‎﴿٨﴾‏ إِنَّمَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ قَاتَلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَأَخْرَجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ وَظَاهَرُوا عَلَىٰ إِخْرَاجِكُمْ أَن تَوَلَّوْهُمْ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُمْ فَأُوْلَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
(Surah Al-Mumtahina: 8-9)

"Allah does not forbid you from being kind and acting justly towards those who have not fought you because of religion or expelled you from your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. Allah only forbids you from befriending those who have fought you because of religion, expelled you from your homes, and supported your expulsion. And whoever befriends them, then they are the wrongdoers."

💠 Islamic Guidelines for Muslim Women

1️⃣ Appearance Before Non-Muslim Women:
  • Scholars state that a Muslim woman may reveal to non-Muslim women the same parts of her body that she would reveal in front of Muslim women, which generally includes the face, hands, and normal household attire, but not private areas.
  • However, some scholars recommend more modesty in the presence of non-Muslim women due to concerns of them describing Muslim women's appearances to men.
2️⃣ Purchasing from Christian Shopkeepers:
  • It is permissible to buy lawful goods from non-Muslim merchants, including Christians.
  • The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself engaged in trade and transactions with non-Muslims, including Jews and Christians.
🔹 Conclusion:
  • Being kind and just to peaceful non-Muslim neighbors is encouraged in Islam.
  • Muslim women should maintain modesty in front of non-Muslim women, similar to how they dress around other Muslim women.
  • Buying lawful goods from Christian shopkeepers is permissible.
📜 Reference: [Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Ifta, Fatwa No. 5176]
 
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