Greeting the Kuffar
Question:-
Is it acceptable for us as Muslims to greet the Kuffar by saying, ‘Good morning’ or ‘Good afternoon’ etc. We have many non-Muslims living in our locality and many of them are kind to us in various ways. Should we as Muslims also greet them and display kindness to them or are we prohibited from greeting them?
Answer:-
In the Hadith, we are prohibited from making Salaam to the Kuffar. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Do not initiate Salaam with the Jews and Christians.” [Re:- Muslim Hadith no. 2167] It is on this basis that the Fuqaha have written that it is Makrooh to make Salaam to non-Muslims. However, this refers to using the actual words of ‘Salaam’ as ‘Salaam’ is the name of every good and righteous. Such a Dua is not permitted for a Kaafir. [Re:- Shaami Pg.412 Vol.6]
In the queried scenario, the actual words of ‘Salaam’ are not being used and your actual intention of greeting the Kuffar (with words other than Salaam) is to display the beauty of Islam to them and invite them to our beautiful Deen. There is hope that they will incline towards you (due to such an attitude) and when you sense that they are ready to accept your message or give you a hearing, then you proceed with your Dawat. If this is the intention then there is no harm in doing so.
The relationship between two groups or individuals is of different categories. The first category is where one individual loves the other from the heart which is termed as Muwaalaat. This type of friendship and love is specifically reserved and permitted only for the believers.
The second category of friendship is termed as Muwaasaat. This means that a believer is a well wisher to a Kaafir, he sympathizes with him and even benefits him. Such a relationship is permitted with the Kuffar except for those Kuffar with whom the Muslims are at war. This has been explained in the eighth verse of Surah Mumtahina,
لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ
Allah does not forbid you from behaving cordially and justly towards those (Kuffaar) who do not fight you for (reason of your) religion and who do not drive you out from your homes.
The third category is termed as Mudaaraat. The literal meaning of ‘Mudaaraat’ is expressing good character and maintaining a friendly relationship. This is permitted with the non-Muslims when one intends to pass over some Deeni benefit to the Kuffar, or a Kaafir is a guest at one’s home (a Muslim’s home), or one maintains a relationship in order to protect himself from the harm of the Kuffar.
The fourth category is termed as Muaamalaat. This is where a Muslim enters into business transactions with the Kuffar. Such transactions are permitted except if there is harm being caused to the Muslims by transacting with the non-Muslims. The dealings of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, Sahaaba and Khulafaa-e-Rashideen radhiallahu anhum explicitly prove this point. It is on this basis that the Fuqaaha have prohibited the sale of weapons to the Kuffar that are at war with the Muslims (as this will entail harming the Muslims).
Based on the above explanation it will be permissible for you to greet the Kuffar. However, when you greet them by saying ‘Good morning/afternoon/evening’, you should have the following intention, ‘May Allah Ta’ala bless you with Imaan, making your morning/afternoon/evening the best ever.’ In this way, you won’t be imitating their greeting rather your greeting will be a Dua for them.
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