Part 4

10342: Ruling on a Muslim eating with a kaafir

Question:

If a Muslim eats or drinks with a Christian or any kaafir, is that considered to be haraam? If it is haraam, then what do we say about the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
"The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them [al-Maa'idah 5:5]?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Eating with a kaafir is not haraam if it is necessary to do so, or if that serves some shar'i interest. But they should not be taken as friends, so you should not eat with them for no shar'i reason or for no shar'i purpose. You should not sit and chat with them and laugh with them. But if there is a reason to do so, such as eating with a guest, or to invite them to Islam or to guide them to the truth, or for some other shar'i reason, then it is OK.

The fact that the food of the People of the Book is halaal for us does not mean that we have to take them as friends and companions. It does not mean that we should eat and drink with them for no reason and for no purpose. And Allaah is the source of strength.

Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah li Samaahat al-Shaykh al-`Allaamah `Abd al-`Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 9, p. 324

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9918: Ruling on seeking and accepting help from the kuffaar

Question:

What is the ruling on seeking and accepting help from the kuffaar?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah. That depends. If there is no risk that seeking or accepting their help will have a harmful impact on the religious commitment of the one who asks for or accepts their help, then there is nothing wrong with that. But is there is any risk involved, then it is not permissible to ask for their help or to accept it _ in accordance with the shar'i evidence which indicates that it is obligatory to avoid that which Allaah has forbidden and to keep away from that which will earn the wrath of Allaah. It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) accepted gifts from some of the mushrikeen and not from others. The reason for that was what we have noted above, as was stated by the scholars.

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

Majmoo Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah li Samaahat al-Shaykh al-`Allaamah `Abd al-`Azeez ibn `Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 8, p. 432 (www.islam-qa.com)

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9404: Islamic ruling on doing Islamic projects through Jews or Christians

Question:

What is the Islamic ruling on doing Islamic projects through Jewish or Christian missionary groups?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible to hand over Islamic works such as those mentioned to kaafir workers, because they cannot be trusted and we cannot be sure that they are sincere. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning);

"Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraaheem (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: `Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever until you believe in Allaah Alone'" [al-Mumtahanah 60:4]

"The believers, men and women, are Awliyaa' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another" [al-Tawbah 9:71]

"And those who disbelieve are allies of one another, (and) if you (Muslims of the whole world collectively) do not do so [i.e. become allies, as one united block under one Khaleefah (a chief Muslim ruler for the whole Muslim world) to make victorious Allaah's religion of Islâmic Monotheism], there will be Fitnah (wars, battles, polytheism) and oppression on the earth, and a great mischief and corruption (appearance of polytheism)"

[al-Anfaal 8:73]

The Council of Major Scholars in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued a statement that it is forbidden to delegate the building of mosques to non-Muslims, because of the evidence (daleel) and reasons referred to above.

Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah li Samaahat al-Shaykh al-`Allaamah `Abd al-`Azeez ibn `Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 8, p. 431

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11232: Giving a lecture about Islam in a church

Question:

Someone has been invited to give a lecture about Islam in a church. Should he accept?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, who answered as follows:

This matter needs further examination, because the place is not appropriate, except in the unlikely event that it might be said that the Muslims are so powerful that they can proclaim their religion in the places of worship of the Christians. If this is the case, then it is good. But I am worried that it may be the opposite, i.e., that the Muslims are compelled to speak of their religion in the church. Hence I think that he should not do that, in order to avoid falling into this category (of being weak). And Allaah knows best.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen (www.islam-qa.com)

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7622: He promised a kaafir that he would go to the church with him

Question:

Is breaking promise with non-muslim permitted by Allah SWT? I happened to have a conversation with a non-muslim man who is a Christian at my work. He is about 45 years old and I am 20. I always try to keep myself behave politely at this new work environment at which I will be working for the next 5 years at the same place, Insya Allah. Apparently, this man has been trying to influence me with Christianity in several different ways. First, he acts in a nice way and a couple days ago invited me to talk about Al-Qur'an and Bible. He said that in the Bible, Ibrahim was asked by Sarah (his wife) to sleep with their servant to have a baby, Isaac. Astaghfirullah! I responded that it was not true! Second, he asked me to bring Al-Qur'an. He said the reason was because he heard so many stories that are quite similar between Al-Qur'an and Bible. Third, he asked me if I would like to go to church sometimes just to see how it looks like when people pray. At that moment, I was thinking that there was nothing wrong to go to church as long as I do not participate in any ritual ceremony or activity. I said, "Sure..." and he quickly asked when would be the good time for me to go. After I thought for a second, I said, "Why and what is the purpose for me to go to church while I even sometimes cannot go to pray at the mosque or musholla due to my work?" I pray at my workplace because there is no mosque or musholla nearby my office. He said that it is just to know other people religion and not to converting or anything.
On my way home, I was thinking that this man is slick. He seems a friendly guy but behind that tries to get me to his believe to a minor. As a muslim, I believe in Allah and He is the one who can help me. Allah knows best what I think and feel

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

We put this question to Shaykh `Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen (may Allaah preserve him), who answered as follows:

It is not permissible for him to go to the church, because this implies respecting and venerating it, and exposes him to developing a liking for Shirk and its followers. He has to break this promise and explain this ruling to the kaafir so that he will understand why the Muslim broke his promise. And Allaah knows best.

Shaykh `Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen

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4036: She wants to embrace Islam but does not want to leave her kaafir husband

Question:

In the Islamic centres and when calling non-Muslim women to Islam, we are faced with the problem of the wife's attachment to her kaafir husband who does not want to become Muslim. It is difficult for the woman to sacrifice her marriage, especially when the couple has children and the husband treats her well and she feels a great deal of love for him. We know that if a kaafir woman becomes Muslim it is not permissible for her to remain in a marriage with a kaafir man, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "… they are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them…" [al-Mumtahinah 60:10]. How should we deal with this problem? Is it permissible for us to focus on the issue of the woman becoming Muslim and ignore the rest of the matter?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah. We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen:

A woman says, I want to become Muslim, and my husband is good and I do not want to leave him. What should I do?

He answered:

"She has to leave him, but is it possible for her to call him to Islam? She could say, `I want to become Muslim, but if I become Muslim, the marriage will become null and void unless you become Muslim too.' Hopefully if she says this to him, he will become Muslim too.'"

Question:

If she become Muslim, can she stay in the marital home while she calls him to Islam, or should she leave?

Answer:

"If she is hopeful that he will become Muslim, she can stay in the marital home until the end of her `iddah (waiting period following the dissolution of a marriage)."

Question:

Can she uncover herself (go without hijab) during the `iddah or not?

Answer:

"To be on the safe side, she should not uncover, because there is no certainty that he will agree to become Muslim."

Question:

And she should not be alone with him?

Answer:

"And she should not be alone with him."

Question:

If telling her about this could turn her away from Islam, is it permissible for us according to sharee'ah to conceal the second part of the answer from her, so that we could tell her, "Become Muslim first, then we will tell you about the ruling on staying with your husband"?

Answer:

"No, if we say this, and then we tell her about the ruling and she leaves Islam (becomes an apostate), this will make the problem worse. For this reason the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told `Ali ibn Abi Taalib, when he sent him to the people of Khaybar: `Call them to Islam and tell them what they have to do in the way of duties towards Allaah.'"

Question:

So now if she continues to live with him after she becomes Muslim she is guilty of a major sin (kabeerah)?

Answer:

"Yes that is the case, but she should not persist in zinaa (unlawful sexual relationship)."

Question:

Briefly, how should we answer her?

Answer:

"Tell her: Become Muslim, and know that if you become Muslim and your husband does not, the marriage will become null and void."

When we are talking to women who will be faced with this issue, we should focus on the following points:

Giving priority to love for Allaah and His Messenger over love for anyone else.

If she is sincere in calling him to Islam and in praying for him, Allaah may guide him at her hands.

- Whoever gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him or her with something better.

Allaah will never forsake His slave who gives up something he or she loves for His sake.

When a woman like this becomes Muslim and leaves her husband, one of the Muslim brothers should come forward to marry her and take her children into his family, or good-hearted Muslims should undertake the responsibility of spending in charity on her and her children. We ask Allaah to guide us and grant us strength and help us to do the right thing. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen (www.islam-qa.com)

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6247: Ruling on obtaining nationality of a kaafir state

Question:

What is the ruling on obtaining nationality of a kaafir state?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

We put this question to Shaykh `Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen, may Allaah preserve him, who replied as follows:

If a person is compelled to seek the nationality of a kaafir state because he has been forced to leave his own country and he can find no (Muslim) country to give him refuge, then this is permissible, on the condition that he is able to practise his religion openly. But with regard to obtaining kaafir nationality for purely worldly purposes, I do not think that this is permissible.

`Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen (www.islam-qa.com)

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6099: He became Muslim and he has kaafir friends

Question:

If you had non-muslim friends before you became muslim, can you remain friends with them? or do you befriend only muslims?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, who answered as follows:

He does not have to (cut off ties with his non-Muslim friends), so long as they are not causing him any harm. But he can withdraw from them gradually. He should tell them about Islam, because if they see that he has become Muslim, they may become Muslim too. And Allaah knows best.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen (www.islam-qa.com)

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11469: Muslims demonstrating in support of their Palestinian brothers

Question:

The Muslim community here in southern Sweden has decided to hold a demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The demonstration will be peaceful, aimed at conveying the voice of the Muslims to the Swedish government, to put pressure on them to stop the massacres of the children of the Palestinian people. What is the ruling on such demonstrations? We would like to inform you that these demonstrations will play a great role and be very effective in conveying the views of the Muslims to the politicians, to put pressure on the Zionist government to put a stop to the massacres of the children in Palestine. Please advise us, may Allaah reward you with good.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

There is nothing wrong with the Muslim community in Sweden protesting in order to reduce the pressure on the Muslims in Palestine and to draw the attention of the Swedish people and government to the crimes which the Jews are committing against the Muslims in Palestine, and using all effective and Islamically-acceptable means of doing so.

But demonstrations may involve a number of things which are forbidden in sharee'ah, so it is essential to guard against them. These include:

women going out wearing adornment and make-up; using music in the demonstration; shouting slogans that are incorrect, such as "al-Quds (Jerusalem) is Arab and will remain Arab" (in fact, al-Quds is Islamic and is not for the Arabs only); stopping the demonstration in front of a kaafir's tomb and placing bouquets of flowers on his grave; begging the kaafirs for help by using phrases that are humiliating to the Muslims; holding up pictures or effigies of people; doing wrong to others such as blocking the road or preventing people from passing by; using slanderous and insulting words that are not permitted in sharee'ah; men and women mixing during the demonstration; imitating the kuffaar in any of their unique characteristics such as clothing or symbols that the demonstrators may wear; committing acts of aggression against the property of innocent people, such as destroying their shops or breaking their windows, or starting fires in public facilities, and other haraam actions. And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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9606: Putting a Jew in charge of the Muslim treasury (bayt al-maal)

Question:

A Jewish man is in charge of the Muslim treasury bayt al-maal; he weighs and evaluates the dirhams (coins) that are paid in or out, and his word is accepted. Is it permissible for him to be in charge or not? Will the ruler be rewarded if he fires him and replaces him with a trustworthy Muslim? Will those who help him to do that also be rewarded?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah. It is not permitted for a Jew to be in charge of that, and it is not permitted to leave him in that position. It is not permitted to rely upon his evaluation. The ruler, may Allaah give him strength, will be rewarded for firing him and replacing him with a trustworthy Muslim, and those who help him to do that will also be rewarded. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand" [Aal `Imraan 3:118].

The meaning of this aayah is: do not take as close advisers who will be deeply involved in your affairs and will be dealing with your secrets and important matters, people other than you, i.e., kuffaar. "They will not fail to do their best to corrupt you" means, they would not hesitate to cause harm and corruption if they are able to. "Hatred has already appeared from their mouths" means, they say, we are your enemies.

And Allaah knows best.

Fataawaa al-Imaam al-Nawawi, 225. (www.islam-qa.com)

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10213: Ruling on the call to unite all religions

Question:

What are Ruling on the call to unite all religions

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah Alone

and peace and blessings be upon the one after whom there will be no more Prophets, and upon his family and companions and whoever follows them in truth until the Day of Resurrection.

The Standing Committee on Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas (al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah li'l-Buhooth al-`Ilmiyyah wa'l-Iftaa') has examined the questions which have been submitted to it and the opinions and articles published and broadcast in the media concerning the call to unite the three religions of Islam, Judaism and Christianity; and the call which stems from that, to build a mosque, a church and a synagogue in one place, on university campuses and in public squares; and the call to print the Qur'aan, Tawraat (Torah) and Injeel (Gospel) in one volume, etc.; and the conferences, seminars and meetings on this topic which are being held in the east and in the west. After studying and pondering the matter, the Committee issues the following statement:

· (1) One of the basic principles of belief in Islam, something which is obviously a basic principle and on which all the Muslims are agreed (ijmaa') is that there is no true religion on the face of the earth apart from Islam. It is the final religion which abrogates all religions and laws that came before it There is no religion on earth according to which Allaah is to be worshipped apart from Islam. Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):

"This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion" [al-Maa'idah 5:3]

"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers" [Aal `Imraan 3:85].

After the coming of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), Islam means what he brought, not any other religion.

· (2) One of the basic principles of belief in Islam is that the Book of Allaah, the Holy Qur'aan, is the last of the Books to be revealed from the Lord of the Worlds. It abrogates all the Books that came before it, the Tawraat, Zaboor, Injeel and others, and it is a Muhaymin [Muhaymin: that which testifies the truth that is therein and falsifies the falsehood that is added therein] over them. So there is no longer any revealed Book according to which Allaah may be worshipped apart from the Qur'aan. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur'aan) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). So judge among them by what Allaah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you." [al-Maa'idah 5:48]

· (3) It is obligatory to believe that the Tawraat and Injeel have been abrogated by the Qur'aan, and that they have been altered and distorted, with things added and taken away, as Allaah tells us in the Qur'aan, for example (interpretation of the meaning):

"So, because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them" [al-Maa'idah 5:13]

"Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, "This is from Allaah," to purchase with it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for that they earn thereby." [al-Baqarah 2:79]

"And verily, among them is a party who distort the Book with their tongues (as they read), so that you may think it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book, and they say: "This is from Allaah," but it is not from Allaah; and they speak a lie against Allaah while they know it" [Aal `Imraan 3:78]

Hence, whatever in the previous books was correct is abrogated by Islam, and everything else is distorted and changed. It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) became angry when he saw that `Umar had a page with something from the Tawraat written on it, and he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Are you in doubt, O son of al-Khattaab? Have I not brought you something shining and pure? If my brother Moosa were alive, he would have no choice but to follow me." (Narrated by Ahmad and al-Daarimi, and others).

· (4) One of the basic principles of belief in Islam is that our Prophet and Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

· "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last (end) of the Prophets" [al-Ahzaab 33:40]

So there is no longer any Messenger whom it is obligatory to follow, apart from Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). If any of the Prophets were alive, they would have no choice but to follow him, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And (remember) when Allaah took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying: `Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah (understanding of the Laws of Allaah), and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger (Muhammad) confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him.' Allaah said: `Do you agree (to it) and will you take up My Covenant (which I conclude with you)?' They said: `We agree.' He said: `Then bear witness; and I am with you among the witnesses (for this).'" [Aal `Imraan 3:81]

When the Prophet of Allaah `Eesaa (peace be upon him) descends at the end of time, he will follow Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he will judge according to his Sharee'ah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning);

"Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad) whom they find written with them in the Tauraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) — he commands them for Al-Ma`roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); he allows them as lawful AtTayyibaat (i.e. all good and lawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), and prohibits them as unlawful AlKhabaa'ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allaah's Covenant with the children of Israel), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. So those who believe in him (Muhammad), honour him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur'aan) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful" [al-A'raaf 7:157]

It is also one of the basic principles of belief in Islam that the Message of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is addressed to all of mankind. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not" [Saba' 34:28]

"Say (O Muhammad): "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah" [al-A'raaf 7:158].

And there are many similar aayaat.

· (5) One of the basic principles of belief in Islam is that we must believe that every Jew, Christian or other person who does not enter Islam is a kaafir, and that those against whom proof is established must be named as kaafirs and regarded as enemies of Allaah, His Messenger and the believers, and that they are the people of Hell, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

· "Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and AlMushrikoon, were not going to leave (their disbelief) until there came to them clear evidence" [al-Bayyinah 98:1]

"Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islâm, the Qur'ân and Prophet Muhammad) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and AlMushrikoon will abide in the fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures" [al-Bayyinah 98:6]

"This Qur'aan has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach" [al-An'aam 6:19]

"This (Qur'aan) is a Message for mankind (and a clear proof against them), in order that they may be warned thereby" [Ibraaheem 14:52]. And there are many similar aayaat. It was reported in Saheeh Muslim that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "By the One in Whose hand is my soul, no one among this nation, Jew or Christian, hears of me, then dies without having believed in that with which I was sent, but he will be one of the people of the Fire." Hence whoever does not regard the Jews and Christians as kuffaar is himself a kaafir, according to the ruling of Sharee'ah, "Whoever does not regard the kaafir as such after proof has been established against him is himself a kaafir."

· (6) In the light of these basic principles of belief and the rulings of sharee'ah, calling for the uniting of all religions, and for them to be brought close to one another and cast in the same mould, is an evil and crafty call whose aim is to mix truth with falsehood, to destroy Islam and undermine its pillars, and to tempt its followers into total apostasy. This is confirmed by the words of the Qur'aan (interpretation of the meaning):

· "And they will never cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion (Islamic Monotheism) if they can" [al-Baqarah 2:217]

"They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another)" [al-Nisaa' 4:89]

· (7) Among the effects of this evil call would be the cancelling out of the differences between Islam and kufr, truth and falsehood, good and evil. It would break down the psychological barrier that exists between the Muslims and the kaafirs, and there would be no sense of al-Walaa' wa'l-Baraa' (loyalty and friendship towards Muslims, disavowal and enmity towards kaafirs), or jihaad and fighting to make the word of Allaah supreme in the earth of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

· "Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allaah, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad( (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islâm) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued" [al-Tawbah 9:29]

"and fight against the Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah) collectively as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allaah is with those who are AlMuttaqoon (the pious)" [al-Tawbah 9:36]

"O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand" [Aal `Imraan 3:118]

· (8) If the call to unite the religions is made by a Muslim, this considered to be blatant apostasy from the religion of Islam, because it conflicts with the basic principles of belief. It is an acceptance of disbelief in Allaah and a contradiction of the truth of the Qur'aan and its abrogation of all laws and religions that came before it. On this basis, it is an idea that should be rejected from the point of view of sharee'ah, and it is definitely haraam according to the evidence of Islam, Qur'aan, Sunnah and ijmaa' (scholarly consensus).

· (9) Based on the above:

· (i) It is not permissible for a Muslim who believes in Allaah as his Lord, Islam as his religion and Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) as his Prophet and Messenger, to call people to this evil idea, to encourage it or to propagate it among the Muslims, let alone respond to it or join the conferences and gatherings held to promote it.

· (ii) It is not permissible for a Muslim to print the Tawraat and Injeel on their own, so how about printing them with the Qur'aan in one volume? Whoever does this or calls for it is far astray, because by doing so he is combining truth (the Qur'aan) with that which is either distorted or was true but has now been abrogated (the Tawraat and Injeel).

· (iii) Similarly, it is not permissible for a Muslim to respond to the call to build a mosque, church and synagogue in one place, because this involves recognizing a religion in which Allaah is worshipped other than Islam, and rejecting the idea that Islam should prevail over all other religions, and giving the idea that there are three religions and that it is OK for people to belong to any of these three. This is a kind of equality which implies that Islam does not abrogate the religions that came before it. Undoubtedly, if a person approves of this, believes it or accepts it, this is kufr and misguidance, because it clearly goes against the Qur'aan, the Sunnah and the consensus (ijmaa') of the Muslims and implies that the distortions of the Jews and Christians come from Allaah _ exalted be He far above that. By the same token, it is not permitted to call churches "Houses of God" or to say that the people there are worshipping Allaah in a correct and acceptable manner, because this worship is not done according to the religion of Islam, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

· "And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers" [Aal `Imraan 3:85].

· On the contrary, they are houses in which disbelief (kufr) in Allaah is expressed; we seek refuge with Allaah from kufr and its people. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Majmoo' al-Fataawaa (22/162): "They _ churches and synagogues _ are not houses of Allaah; the houses of Allaah are the mosques. On the contrary, they are houses in which disbelief (kufr) in Allaah is expressed. Even if Allaah is mentioned therein, houses are the same as the people in them, and the people in these houses are kuffaar, so they are the houses of worship of the kuffaar."

· (10) It should be noted that it is obligatory on the Muslims to call the kuffaar in general, and the People of the Book in particular, to Islam through the clear texts of the Qur'aan and Sunnah. But this is only to be done by explaining to them and arguing with them in a way that is better (with good words and in a good manner) (cf. Al-`Ankaboot 29:46), not by compromising any of the beliefs of laws of Islam. This is in order to convince them about Islam and bring them into the religion, or to establish proof against them so that those who are to be destroyed (for their rejecting the Faith) might be destroyed after a clear evidence, and those who are to live (i.e. believers) might live after a clear evidence (cf. Al-Anfaal 8:42). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

· "Say (O Muhammad ): "O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allaah (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah. Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims." [Aal `Imraan 3:64]

· As for debating and meeting with them in order to go along with their wishes and fulfil their aims of destroying Islam bit by bit, this is falsehood which is rejected by Allaah, His Messenger and the believers, and Allaah is the One Whose help is sought against all that they ascribe to Him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"but beware of them lest they turn you (O Muhammad) far away from some of that which Allaah has sent down to you"

[al-Maa'idah 5:49]

The Committee has made the above statement to the people. We advise the Muslims in general, and people of knowledge in particular, to fear Allaah and be aware that He is always watching, to guard Islam and to protect the `aqeedah (belief) of the Muslims from misguidance and those who promote it and from kufr and its people, and to beware of this idea.

Islam Q&A.Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

(www.islam-qa.com)

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10108: Is it permissible to go into churches for the purpose of da'wah, or just to look around?

Question:

There are many churches here. Is it permissible to go into them to hold discussions with the priests there? Is it permissible to go in just to look at them and see what the people do there?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

It is permissible for scholars and knowledgeable people to enter churches in order to call the people there to Islam. But we should not enter them just to look around, because there is no benefit in doing so, and there is the fear that the Muslim may be influenced by them, especially if he is ignorant about his own religion and cannot refute the confusion that they will direct towards him.

From Fataawaa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 13/257 (www.islam-qa.com)

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3414: Learning foreign languages

Question:

Is learning English haraam or halaal?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah. If there is a need to learn English or any other foreign (non-Arabic) language for a religious or worldly purpose, then there is no reason why one should not learn it. But if there is no need then it is makrooh to learn it.

Fataawaa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 12/133 (www.islam-qa.com)

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1552: When they need to write the Gregorian date

Question:

Some of the offices of al-Muntada al-Islami are in countries which use the Gregorian calendar. We use the Hijri calendar, but this causes us problems when we deal with government departments which do not use the Hijri calendar, or when drawing up budgets, paying salaries and preparing financial reports for the appropriate departments in those countries.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

There is nothing wrong with using both dates, so long as the Hijri date is written first, followed by the equivalent Gregorian date. The Hijri date is based on the lunar months, which are clear and can be readily observed by anyone who has eyes to see, but the Gregorian months do not have any clearly visible signs and can only be known through calculations. Hence the Islamic sharee'ah uses the Arabic months for the dates of fasting, Hajj, I'tikaaf and so on. Beginning with the Hijri date is also a manifestation of the symbols and features of Islam among those who do not know them. And Allaah knows best.

Al-Lu'lu' al-Makeen min Fataawaa al-Shaykh Ibn Jibreen, p. 53. (www.islam-qa.com)

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