Q 1: What are the duties of Muslims towards nonMuslims, such as the Dhimmies (protected nonMuslims living under Islamic rule) in Islamic countries or in their own countries when Muslims live among them? The duties I mean are the various forms of dealings such as offering Salam (Islamic greeting of peace) and celebrating their festivals with them. Please advise, may Allah reward you best!
A: The duties of Muslims towards nonMuslims are numerous:
First: Da`wah (calling) to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He): That is to call them to Allah and clarify the reality of Islam to them, whenever possible if they have the mental capacity. This is the greatest favor a Muslim can grant to fellow citizens and all those with whom he comes in contact, including Jews, Christians, or other Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Whoever guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer.
He (peace be upon him) also said to `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) when he sent him to Khaybar to invite the Jews to Islam: By Allah, if Allah guides even one person through you that is better for you than possessing a whole lot of red camels (most valuable kind of camels).
He (peace be upon him) also stated: Whoever calls others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those who follow him (in righteousness) without their reward being diminished in any respect."
Calling nonMuslims to Allah, conveying the message of Islam, and providing advice to them are the most important duties and the best acts that draw one closer to Allah.
Second: One should not wrong nonMuslims with regard to their person, property, or honor. If he is a Dhimmi, Musta'man (nonMuslim with a peace agreement permitting them to enter and stay temporarily in a Muslim country) or Mu`ahad (nonMuslim in a temporary covenant with Muslims), he should be given his rights. It should be guaranteed that his property will not be taken by theft, betrayal, or deception. One should not harm or kill any of them, as a Mu`ahad, Dhimmi or Musta'man falls under the protection of the country.
Third: There is no harm in conducting business of sales, purchases, hiring and so on with non Muslims because it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) bought from the nonMuslims, idolaters
and Jews; and this is a type of transaction. The Prophet (peace be upon him) died while his armor was mortgaged to a Jew in return for food for his family.
Fourth: One should not initiate Salam but may reply, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Do not initiate offering Salam to the Jews or Christians. (Related by Muslim).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also stated: When the People of the Book offer you Salam, you should say: "The same to you." Reported by AlBukhari and Muslim.
A Muslim should not begin greeting the nonMuslims. However, when the Jews, Christians, or others offer Salam, he should reply "Wa `Alaykum" (the same to you) as the prophet (peace be upon him) ordered. These are some of the rights the non Muslims have on Muslims. This also includes the right of being a good neighbor. You must not harm your nonMuslim neighbors. You should give them charity if they are needy, present them with gifts if they are rich, and advise them, for this may be the cause of their being guided to Islam. The neighbor has a great right, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Jibril kept recommending treating neighbors with kindness until I thought he would assign a share of inheritance for them. Reported by AlBukhari and Muslim.
Allâh does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allâh loves those who deal with equity.
It is reported in the Sahih (authentic) Hadith on the authority of Asma' bint Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them) that her nonMuslim mother came to her during the truce held between the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the people of Makkah, seeking help. Asma' asked the permission of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to maintain ties of kinship with her. Thereupon, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Maintain ties of kinship with her."
Muslims must not take part in the celebrations of nonMuslims but there is no harm in offering condolences to them, saying "May Allah give you patience during this calamity", or "May Allah compensate you for your calamity", or any other consoling expressions of sympathy. However, they should not say: "May Allah forgive him" or "May Allah bestow mercy on him" or supplicate for the deceased if they are nonMuslims. You can only supplicate for the living to be guided and given good reward.