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:

1 Should we wish/ say Assalam o alaikum to non muslims(christians, jews) or how should their wish be rersponded?

2 Can we eat with them in same utensil, share glass?

(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:

Salutations and greetings to 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.

Your Question-1: Should we wish/ say Assalam o alaikum to non muslims(christians, jews) or how should their wish be rersponded?

‘As-Salaam o Aleikum’ is a dua or supplication a believer makes for his believing brother and sister, and asks for Peace and Safety for his brother-in-faith from the source of All Peace, Allah Subhanah. There is absolutely no harm if one wishes Peace for a non-muslim, but the truth of the matter is that no person can experience genuine peace and safety in the life of this world and especially in the Hereafter if he is not guided to the Truth of Islam.

Thus, the absolute best dua or supplication a believer can make for his non-muslim brother-in-humanity is that Allah Subhanah guide him to the Truth and Straight Path of Islam. Thus, regardless of how the unbeliever chooses to wish a believer, be it ‘hi’, ‘good morning’, or ‘good evening’ etc., the best wish or supplication a believer may and should make in reply as his genuine well wisher in this world and the Hereafter is any of the following:

Allah Yah-deek : may Allah Guide you (to the Truth).

Hadaak Allah : may Allah Guide you (to the Truth).

Your Question-2: Can we eat with them in same utensil, share glass?

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

Provided the food or drink being served is ‘halaal’ in its essence, there is absolutely no restriction in sharing, eating, or drinking with non-muslims, even in or from the same utensils. If the food being served is ‘haraam’ in its essence, then obviously the believers must abstain from consuming such food or drink; but there is no harm in using the same utensil after it has been sufficiently washed and cleaned from its impurities.

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