Q 4: My question consists of four controversial points: (Part No. 12; Page No. 370) a- Much controversy arose around sitting with persistent sinners, eating with them, offering Salah (Prayer) with or being led by them and greeting them. What is the principle on this issue?B- What is the Islamic ruling on drawing pictures and how do I refute those who adopt the permissibility of photographs?C- What is the ruling on receiving a fee for teaching the Qur'an?D- What is Dar-ul-Harb (enemy territory), a Muslim country and non-Muslim country?E- How to put the doctrine of Al-Wala' wal-Bara' (loyalty and disassociation for Allah's Sake) into practice?

A: a- Sitting with persistent sinners in order to advise them, try to guide them to the truth with wisdom and fair preaching and argue with them in a way that is best is noble, for it represents fulfilling the duty of conveying the message of Islam. However, if they comply, it will be alright (praise be to Allah), but if they refuse and persist in committing sins, advisers will be free from accountability and must abandon them in order to be away from evil places. Allah (Exalted be He) stated: And when a community among them said: "Why do you preach to a people whom Allâh is about to destroy or to punish with a severe torment?" (The preachers) said: "In order to be free from guilt before your Lord (Allâh), and perhaps they may fear Allâh." So when they forgot the remindings that had been given to them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but We seized those who did wrong with a severe torment because they used to rebel against Allâh’s Command (disobey Allâh). However, mixing with them and talking with them apart from enjoining them to do good and forbidding them from (Part No. 12; Page No. 371) doing evil, merely as a way of passing time and being sociable with them, is prohibited and incurs Allah's wrath and curse. Allah (Exalted be He) stated: Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dâwûd (David) and ‘Isâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allâh and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds. They used not to forbid one another from Al-Munkar (wrong, evil-doing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do. You see many of them taking the disbelievers as their Auliyâ’ (protectors and helpers). Evil indeed is that which their ownselves have sent forward before them; for that (reason) Allâh’s Wrath fell upon them, and in torment they will abide. And had they believed in Allâh, and in the Prophet (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) and in what has been revealed to him, never would they have taken them (the disbelievers) as Auliyâ’ (protectors and helpers); but many of them are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh). May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.