Q 5: Calling Kafirs (disbelievers) to Islam requires having relationships with them in order to pave the way for inviting them to Islam. So, if a Kafir (Part No. 12; Page No. 253) invites me to dine with him and eat lawful food like cheese or fish or have a lawful drink like tea, is it permissible for me to accept the invitation knowing that the dishes or cups might have been used for serving pork or drinking alcohol?

A: There are many types of establishing relationships with other people. Relationships based on mutual affection, love and brotherhood between a Muslim and a Kafir is prohibited. It might render a Muslim as a Kafir. Allah (Exalted be He) says, You (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will not find any people who believe in Allâh and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), 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 Rûh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow to dwell therein (forever). Allâh is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allâh. Verily, it is the Party of Allâh that will be the successful. There are many other Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) and Hadith narrated to the same effect. There is nothing wrong, however, if the kind of relationship developed between the Muslim and Kafir does not go beyond selling and buying or accepting the Kafir's invitation to have lawful food with him or accepting a lawful present, provided that no harm is done to the Muslim's faith. It is permissible for the Muslim to dine and eat the food served by a Kafir in dishes or cups previously used for serving pork or drinking wine as long as they are properly washed. (Part No. 12; Page No. 254) A Muslim is even more encouraged to develop relationships with Kafirs if it proves helpful in conveying the Message of Islam and he will be granted a great reward for that.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.