Authored by: Shaykh Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jibreen (Hafizahullah)
Answer:
Islam prohibits honoring or respecting non-Muslims in a manner that signifies reverence, as it is considered a form of affection and loyalty, which is explicitly forbidden. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) states:
وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ
“And whoever among you takes them as allies, then indeed, he is one of them.”
[Surah Al-Ma’idah: 51]
Imam Ahmad narrates from Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (رضي الله عنه) that he once said to Umar (رضي الله عنه), "I have a Christian clerk." Umar replied, "What is wrong with you? May Allah destroy you! Have you not heard the words of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى)?:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۘ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ
“O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another.”
[Surah Al-Ma’idah: 51]
Abu Musa justified his action by saying, "I only use him for clerical tasks, and he follows his religion." Umar responded firmly, "I do not honor them, as Allah has dishonored them. I do not exalt them, as Allah has humiliated them. Nor do I bring them close, as Allah has distanced them."
This narration is further supported by Imam Al-Bayhaqi, who records that Umar scolded Abu Musa, struck his thigh, and said:
“Could you not find a Muslim to take up this task? When Allah has declared them untrustworthy, why do you consider them trustworthy?”
Umar’s Instructions Regarding Non-Muslims in Public Roles:
Imam Ahmad also reports that Umar (رضي الله عنه) said:
“Do not appoint Jews or Christians to official roles, for they consider bribery lawful.”
Question:
What is the ruling on honoring and respecting a non-Muslim individual?Answer:
Islam prohibits honoring or respecting non-Muslims in a manner that signifies reverence, as it is considered a form of affection and loyalty, which is explicitly forbidden. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) states:
وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ
“And whoever among you takes them as allies, then indeed, he is one of them.”
[Surah Al-Ma’idah: 51]
Evidence from the Sunnah and Statements of the Companions
Incident with Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه):Imam Ahmad narrates from Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (رضي الله عنه) that he once said to Umar (رضي الله عنه), "I have a Christian clerk." Umar replied, "What is wrong with you? May Allah destroy you! Have you not heard the words of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى)?:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۘ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ
“O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another.”
[Surah Al-Ma’idah: 51]
Abu Musa justified his action by saying, "I only use him for clerical tasks, and he follows his religion." Umar responded firmly, "I do not honor them, as Allah has dishonored them. I do not exalt them, as Allah has humiliated them. Nor do I bring them close, as Allah has distanced them."
This narration is further supported by Imam Al-Bayhaqi, who records that Umar scolded Abu Musa, struck his thigh, and said:
“Could you not find a Muslim to take up this task? When Allah has declared them untrustworthy, why do you consider them trustworthy?”
Umar’s Instructions Regarding Non-Muslims in Public Roles:
Imam Ahmad also reports that Umar (رضي الله عنه) said:
“Do not appoint Jews or Christians to official roles, for they consider bribery lawful.”
Statements of Scholars
- Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله):
In his book, "Iqtida’ As-Sirat Al-Mustaqim," Ibn Taymiyyah emphasizes that loyalty, respect, and trust are reserved for Muslims. Non-Muslims are deserving of disgrace and dishonor as per their disbelief. Assigning them roles that elevate their status over Muslims is impermissible. - Prophetic Guidance:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Do not initiate greetings of peace with Jews and Christians. If you meet them on the road, force them to take the narrow path.”
[Sahih Muslim, Kitab As-Salam, Hadith 2167; Musnad Ahmad, 2/346]
Additionally, he said:
“Islam is superior, and nothing shall rise above it.”
[Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi, 6/205; Sunan Al-Daraqutni, 3/252]
Historical Incidents
- Umar’s Response to Khalid bin Al-Walid (رضي الله عنه):
Khalid sent a letter to Umar (رضي الله عنه) about a Christian clerk in Syria who managed tax collection efficiently. Umar replied:
“May the Christian perish. Peace.” - Imam Malik’s Ruling:
Ibn Al-Qasim narrates from Imam Malik (رحمه الله):
“Do not appoint Christians as clerks, for clerks often act as advisors, and Muslims must not seek counsel from non-Muslims.” - Incident with Caliph Al-Ma’mun:
When a scholar visited Al-Ma’mun, he observed a Jewish clerk enjoying the Caliph’s favor. The scholar recited a poem:
“The one through whom you have been honored claims that he (ﷺ) is false.”
This made Al-Ma’mun ashamed, and he ordered the Jewish clerk to be removed immediately, declaring that no non-Muslim would hold an official position henceforth.
Practical Applications:
- Avoiding Reverence in Gatherings: Scholars have explicitly stated that non-Muslims should not be given positions of honor in gatherings, nor should they be greeted in ways that imply respect or admiration.
- Treatment When Collecting Jizyah:
Non-Muslims must be dealt with firmly during jizyah collection, and their status as dhimmis (protected non-Muslims) does not allow for undue reverence.
