Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

asslam walaikum

1)i have a question whic is like this

can we invite non-muslim over iftari in ramadhan in the name of iftari party which is going on every where in the country

2)can non-muslims share the iftari food with us and if yes (give valid reason) and if no then why

3) and who is liable to be invited over the iftar at once place

4)we are actually having a inftar party at our collage and all or broter are arranging for it and we will be having all our fellow collegue who will be joining us out of which maxzimum of them are non-muslim to what extent is it right and shal we take active participation in such activities of feeding iftar to non- muslim

please enlighten nme with the whole maslah of iftari with non-muslims

thank you

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Iftar with non muslims

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Q-1: can we invite non-muslim over iftari in ramadhan in the name of iftari party which is going on every where in the country

There is absolutely no restriction in giving or accepting the iftar invitation of non-muslims. Muslims are well-wishers and brothers-in-humanity of all mankind, and we are guided by Allah and His Messenger (saws) to be just and kind in our dealings with them. It is only by keeping good relations with the non-believers, can we do ‘daawah’ to them and invite them to the Truth of Al-Islam.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 60 Surah Mumtahina verse 8: Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.

Q-2: can non-muslims share the iftari food with us and if yes (give valid reason) and if no then why

There is absolutely no harm if the non-muslim share the iftar meal with the believers. It is possible that the non-muslims who witness and share the iftaar with the believers, may soften their hearts towards and come closer to the deen of Islam. The believers should use this opportunity as a ‘dawaah’ platform and invite their non-muslim brethren to Islam.

Q-3: and who is liable to be invited over the iftar at once place

There is absolutely no restriction of who can and cannot be invited to share the iftar meal. The Muslims are brothers-in-faith to the believers, and brothers-in-humanity to the non-believers, and can invite anyone he wishes to share his iftar meals with him.

Q-4: we are actually having a inftar party at our collage and all or broter are arranging for it and we will be having all our fellow collegue who will be joining us out of which maxzimum of them are non-muslim to what extent is it right and shal we take active participation in such activities of feeding iftar to non- muslim

One should encourage and whole-heartedly participate in this good deed, and invite as many people as they can to share the ‘iftar’ experience with them. If one’s intention is indeed to do dawaah and invite the non-muslims to Islam, or even to improve relations with the non-muslims in general so that they may soften their hearts and get a better understanding of Islam; Allah Subhanah will give a huge reward to the believers for their this good deed.

It is only natural, that when a non-muslim sees that the food is laid out and every muslim, who is hungry and thirsty since morning, does not even approach the food in obedience to the command of His Lord and Creator, that they will ask about fasts and Islam in general. For the believes it might not be a big deal, but the non-muslims cannot be but impressed at the discipline and absolute obedience of the believers when they see that there is absolutely no police or anyone forcing them to stop eating and drinking; except the command of the Merciful Lord and Creator. This will indeed inspire and encourage them to ask questions regarding the fast policies and its wisdom, which must be used as a great opportunity to invite them to the Truth of Islam by the believers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.192 Narrated by Sahl bin Sad

That he heard the Prophet on the day (of the battle) of Khaibar saying to Hadrat Ali ibn Abi Taalib (r.a.): "Be patient, till you face them (the non-muslims) and invite them to Islam and inform them of what Allah has enjoined upon them. By Allah! If a single person embraces Islam at your hands (i.e. through you), that will be better for you than the red camels (the most valuable possession in those times!)."

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan