Alhamdulillah wa salatu wa salam ala rasulullah (SAW) amma ba’d..Assalamualikum
This is an article depicting of how we, Muslims, should behave with Non-Muslims.
Most of us, whether we live in an Islamic or Non-Islamic society, get to deal with Non-Muslims in our day to day lives. Some of the Non-Muslims are our friends at school, work, etc. and some of them we get to interact only for a short period of time. But, if we treat them in the right way, according to the Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), they will remember us. Then maybe sooner or later, if Allah wills, they will be guided just because of a small act we did.
Many people think that Non-Muslims should not attend Muslims gatherings, lectures or even touch the Quran which is a common misconception. Whatever we say and do, can never have an impact on them greater than the Book of Allah itself. Some people think we need to have wudu to touch the Quran. Well, there is no proper Ayah in the Quran for it. And if they don’t read the Quran, how will they ever know what Islam truly is, what a Muslim should be like, how will they clear all their misconceptions and find an answer to all their questions in life. We can do all the Da'wah we want, but the ultimate source is Quran. So, it is encouraged to give them a copy of Quran’s translation and urge them to read it.
Many people are harsh in their dealings with Non-Muslims and consider them to just "Kafir". Seriously? Let me put it down like this, if Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was not kind and remained isolated from the Non-Muslims, today you and I and majority of the Muslims would not be Muslims because we won't even know about it.
Islam is the Truth. It is not something to keep it within you but rather you should share it with everyone. The least we can do, is behave accordingly. As the famous quote says, "Actions speak louder than words". They should be already impressed with Islam before reading the Quran and then reading it should just baffle them up.
We have to remember that Non-Muslims are human beings and they deserve to be treated as in such. We should learn from the Seerah (Biography) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in how he (SAW) dealt with them. Let me give you an instance here, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Whenever you see a funeral procession, stand up till the procession goes ahead of you”. One day a funeral procession passed in front of him and he stood up. When he was told that it was the coffin of a Jew, he said, "Is it not a living being (soul)?" He (SAW) was consistent in treating the Non-Muslims with good and kind behaviour.
Make friends with Non-Muslims. Hangout with them and tell them about Islam. Invite them over to Islamic lectures or, atleast, for lunch. Help them when required. Be patient and just. Never, ever, put them down. Try doing its and bits to show them what Islam truly is and who our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was rather than just speaking about it. He (SAW) was the best man to ever walk the face of this Earth. But these are just words for them. We can go on saying he was kind, polite, trustworthy, etc but they won't realize it until we show them that we Muslims are supposed to be that way round.
We, all, have to be more careful and just in our dealings with Non-Muslims. We can get people closer or away from Islam just by our behaviour. Its not just about us, but about representing Islam and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself. We are his ‘ambassadors’. If we really do honour and respect him (SAW), we should not let him (SAW) down.
If I made any mistakes, it was from Shaytan and my own mistakes. If anything you find is useful, is from Allah as He guides whom He wills.
JazakAllahu Khairan. BarakAllahu Feekum and Salam...