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:

Dear Brother in Islam,

Salam,

A non muslim guest (not so close friend) requested to visit my place and stay for 7 days, which I could not refuse.

Though I did not let me stay alone at my place and made sure either i am there or else if i went for prayers called my elder sister to be with my wife & 2 year baby till I arrived.

I am confused with many questions in my mind. Could you please help clarify the situation in the light of what our Prophet PUBH did in such circumstances.

Jazakallah khair.

(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:

Disbeliever guest

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 60 Surah Mumtahina verses 8-9:

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.

9 Allah only forbids you with regard to those, who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances) that do wrong.

In light of the above guidance of the Holy Quran, Allah Subhanah guides the believers to judge the non-muslims or disbelievers, including the People of the Book, under two categories:

Category-1: Those disbelievers who do not fight the believers regarding their faith, nor drive the believers out of their lands and homes; Allah guides the believers to deal with them kindly and justly….for indeed, Allah Subhanah loves those who are just.

Thus, if a non-believer or a non-believing nation is not at war with the believers, there is no harm in dealing with such people in a good, kind, and just manner; for indeed they are our brothers in humanity.

Category-2: But Allah has forbidden the believers to befriend those unbelievers who have declared war on the believers because of their faith in Islam, and who drive the believers out of their homes and lands; or those unbelievers who help and support these enemies to oppress the believers. These are the unbelievers whom Allah has guided the believers not to befriend.

There is absolutely no harm if one amongst the believers invites or allows a disbeliever to visit, eat, or even live in their house as a guest for a few days.

Your Question: I am confused with many questions in my mind. Could you please help clarify the situation in the light of what our Prophet PUBH did in such circumstances.

The truth is brother, the Noble Prophet’s house was so small that it barely consisted of one quarter or room; thus whenever a delegation or guests arrived in Madinah, the Prophet (saws) would generally arrange for their accommodation in the Masjid.

If you could kindly clarify and be more specific regarding the questions about guests or their hospitality, we would be honored to address them in light of the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, Insha Allah.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan