Deserting a neighbor

447

Q: My neighbor wanted me to go with him to do something that would anger Allah, but when I refused, he became angry with me. He told me that he never wanted me to talk to him again and he would not talk to me. Will I be sinful of deserting him? Please give us your Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) on this. (Part No. 26; Page No. 103

A: If the reality is as you mentioned, you are not sinful. However, you should not desert him for more than three days and it is better if you be the first to greet him with Salam (Islamic greeting of peace) when you meet him, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “It is not lawful for a Muslim to desert (stop talking to) his brother for more than three days. They meet, so this turns away and that turns away, and the better of the two is he who initiates the greeting.” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.