*Islam Question & Answers* ** *Iftar with Non Muslims* *Sheikh Muhammed Salih al-Munajjid* *http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/38125/iftar%20and%20non%20muslims*<http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/38125/iftar%20and%20non%20muslims>
Praise be to Allaah. It is permissible to have iftaar with non-Muslims if there is a shar'i reason for doing so, such as calling them to the true religion, or softening their hearts towards Islam, etc, which are what is hoped for if they come and eat iftaar at the tables set up for communal iftaar, as happens in some countries. But if it is done just to be friendly towards them and enjoy their company, this is a dangerous matter, because the principle of al-wala' wa'l-bara' (befriending the believers and showing enmity towards the disbelievers) is one of the basic principles of Islam, and one of the most important duties of the believers. This principle is referred to in a number of verses in the Book of Allaah and ahaadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), for example: Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rooh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allaah is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the party of Allaah. Verily, it is the party of Allaah that will be the successful" [al-Mujaadilah 58:22] "O you who believe! Take not for Awliyaa' (protectors or helpers or friends) disbelievers instead of believers. Do you wish to offer Allaah a manifest proof against yourselves?" [al-Nisa' 4:144] "O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa' (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa' of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa'), then surely, he is one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)" [al-Maa'idah 5:51] "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] Based on this, the ruling on gathering with these people for iftaar depends on the intention. And Allaah knows best]Sympathy for the unfortunate Further, the Hadith states that it is the month of sympathy, especially for the poor and destitute. Sympathy should be of a practical nature. When ten things are placed before us for if'taar, at least two or four of them should be set aside for the poor and needy. In fact they should be treated preferentially, if not then at least equally. They should certainly be remembered. In showing sympathy for the poor, as in all other matters, the Sahaabah R.A. were living examples, and in this, it is our duty to follow or at least try to follow them. In the matter of sacrifice and sympathy only the courageous can emulate the Sahaabah. There are numerous instances, if they are cited, will only leave one in astonishment. Let us see the following example, Abu Jahm (RA) relates that: "During the battle of Yarmouk he went in search of his cousins, taking with him a water bag to give him to drink and also wash his wounds if he was found alive or wounded. He found him lying among the wounded. When I asked him whether he wanted some water, he indicated 'yes'. At that moment someone near him moaned. My cousin pointed to that person indicating that I should first quench the thirst of the neighbour. I went to him and found that he too needed water, but just as I was about to give him water, a third person groaned near him. The second one pointed to this third person meaning that I should give the third one to drink first. I went to the third person but before he could drink, I found out that he had passed away, whereupon I returned to the second one only to find that he too had passed away. When I came to my cousin, he too had become a martyr". ++++++++++++ ** * <http://www.islamonline.net//english/index.shtml>* *Question & Answers* ** *Topic: Organizing Iftar for Non-Muslims* http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503546196 Date : November 13, 2002 *Question:* Can Muslims organize *Iftar* for non-Muslims? *Answer:* In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. In fact, it is an intelligent and impressive idea to organize *iftar* with non-Muslims. Such an action will surely allow Muslims to exchange ideas with others about Islam. It is a golden chance to make *da`wah*. With such an organized *iftar*, non-Muslims will know for sure how tolerant Muslims are and in what way the tenets of their creed command them to have peaceful relations with others. Responding to the question in point, *Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Nadvi*, Imam of Calgary Mosque, Canada, and Former Professor at King Saud Univ., Saudi Arabia, states the following: "I think that iftar is a good time to use as a da'wah. For this reason I encourage you to organize iftar for non-Muslims in order to show them one of the good things about Islam. Use this time to explain what Islam says about helping the poor and the needy and sharing with others their joys and pains and to sit together in the time of iftar. It is also to offer thanks to Allah for His blessings and bounties. The only one requirement should be that the non-Muslims should be informed of the rules of breaking the fast and the time we are supposed to start eating and drinking." Allah Almighty knows best. ++++++++++++ ** *Topic: Sharing Iftar Meal with Non-Muslims* http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503544590 Date : November 10, 2003 *Question:* Dear Sheikh! Ramadan Mubarak! I have a simple question for you. Can I have *Iftar* (i.e. to have an *Iftar * meal) at the house of my Christian friend? *Answer:* In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. Dear questioner, thank you for your question and the confidence you place in our service and we pray to Allah to enable us render this service purely for His Sake. In the first place, we'd like to note that we must always be positive and work for the best. We should thank Allah for His Blessings and pray to Him to remove the difficulties. We should seize the opportunity of this blessed month to the life which is REAL and feel the sweetness of faith and the introduce Islam, with its tolerance and kindness to all our relative, neighbors, friends, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Indeed, Ramadan is a great opportunity to turn to Allah, to do the good deeds. We should take good advantage of this time. In addition to fasting and prayers in this month, you can invite your non-Muslims neighbors, civic and political leaders, interfaith leaders to have *Iftar* with you and tell them about Islam, its beautiful message. Try to remove whatever misunderstanding they may have about Islam and Muslims. Answering the question, Dr. Muhammad M. Abu Laylah, professor of Islamic studies and head of the English Department, faculty of languages and translation at Al-Azhar University, states the following: "Dearest brother in Islam, there is nothing wrong in having your *Iftar*meal with your Christian friend, but you should tell your friend about what sort of food your friend is going to provide. Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had visited Christians and Jews and he is reported to have shared meals with them. Referring to this, Allah Almighty says: "…The food of those who have received the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them…" (Al-Ma'dah: 5) Based on the above verse, we can deduce that you are allowed to share food with the People of the Book and take them as friends. Allah Almighty says: "Allah forbiddeth you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that ye should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo ! Allah loveth the just dealers. Allah forbiddeth you only those who warred against you on account of religion and have driven you out from your homes and helped to drive you out, that ye make friends of them. Whosoever maketh friends of them(All) such are wrong doers." (Al-Mumtahanah: 8-9)" Allah Almighty knows best. +++++++++ *Ramadan: Fountain of Faith*<http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/index.shtml> http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/index.shtml <http://www.islamonline.net/ramadanevents/english/ramadanEval.asp> *Ramadan Scale: Weigh Your Deeds*<http://www.islamonline.net/ramadanevents/english/ramadanEval.asp> Ramadan is now here, this is just the start. Soon it will depart. So let's seize the chance and weigh our deeds to see if we will be winners or losers.. <http://www.islamonline.net/ramadanevents/english/ramadanEval.asp> <http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/piety_School/Itikaf05.shtml> *Recommended Acts of Worship in Laylat Al-Qadr*<http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/piety_School/Itikaf05.shtml> *Laylat Al-Qadr *is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. If a believing person is keen... <http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/piety_School/Itikaf05.shtml> <http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/piety_School/Itikafindex.shtml> *What to do in the Last Ten Days of Ramadan?<http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/piety_School/Itikafindex.shtml> * Here we provide some useful advice on how one could spend the last ten days of Ramadan, especially as these days are very special in the life of every Muslim... <http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/piety_School/Itikafindex.shtml> <javascript:openNewWindow('/English/Ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/Reflections/article_28.shtml','thewin','height=450,width=600,toolbar=no,scrollbars=no')> *Purify Your Heart*<javascript:openNewWindow('/English/Ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/Reflections/article_28.shtml','thewin','height=440,width=590,toolbar=no,scrollbars=no')> * * Man is subject to trial all through his life. But, are we aware of that? What may seem to be a slight mistake may cause man's soul to lose its vigor and deeds become in vain... *Lift Up Your Heart:* *Softening of the Heart<http://www.islamonline.net/English/Ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/Softening_of_heart/index.shtml> | Science and Faith<http://www.islamonline.net/English/Ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/Science_and_Faith/index.shtml> | Reflections<http://www.islamonline.net/English/Ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/Reflections/index.shtml> | Piety School<http://www.islamonline.net/English/Ramadan/1424/10/Fountain_of_Faith/piety_School/index.shtml> * *Fiqhi Issues:* *Rulings of Fasting<http://www.islamonline.net/English/Ramadan/1424/10/fiqhi_issues/Rulings_of_Fasting/index.shtml> **|* *Fatwas on Fasting<http://www.islamonline.net/English/Ramadan/1424/10/fiqhi_issues/Fatwas_on_Fasting/index.shtml> **|* *Rulings of Zakat-ul-Fitr<http://www.islamonline.net/English/Ramadan/1424/10/fiqhi_issues/Rulings_of_Zakat-ul-Fitr/index.shtml> **|** Fatwas on Zakat-ul-Fitr<http://www.islamonline.net/English/Ramadan/1424/10/fiqhi_issues/Fatwas_on_Zakat-ul-Fitr/index.shtml> * *Audio Library:* *Bilal Philiphs <http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/soundlibarary/songs/index.shtml#1>| Zarabozo<http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/soundlibarary/songs/index.shtml#2>| Siraj Wahhaj <http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/soundlibarary/songs/index.shtml#3> |Yahya Adel Ibrahim<http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/soundlibarary/songs/index.shtml#4>| More>><http://www.islamonline.net/english/ramadan/1424/soundlibarary/songs/index.shtml> * +++++++++ * <http://www.cairchicago.org/index.php>* http://www.cairchicago.org/oldsite/actionalerts.php?file=aa_ramadan09162005 *MOSQUES URGED TO HOST 'SHARING RAMADAN' IFTARS *National initiative designed to challenge growing anti-Muslim views *(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/18/2008)* ? CAIR today launched its annual 'Sharing Ramadan' outreach effort designed to enhance understanding of Islam and to help Americans of all faiths meet their Muslim neighbors by taking part in a Ramadan 'iftar', or fast-breaking meal.
