Question:
Assalamu‘alaikum SS Dato’ Mufti. What is the ruling of inviting non-Muslim for breaking fast?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wbt,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Non-Muslim is part of ummah siyasiyyah (political community) which in the framework of an ummah (nation) along with Muslims as ummah diniyyah (religious community). This concept is applied by the Prophet PBUH through Sahifah Madinah (Medina Charter).
Thus, basically, non-Muslims are citizens who have their own rights to live harmoniously together in the context of Malaysia.
Allah SWT states:
لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُمْ مِنْ دِيَارِكُمْ أَنْ تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ (8) إِنَّمَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ قَاتَلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَأَخْرَجُوكُمْ مِنْ دِيَارِكُمْ وَظَاهَرُوا عَلَى إِخْرَاجِكُمْ أَنْ تَوَلَّوْهُمْ وَمَنْ يَتَوَلَّهُمْ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ (9)
“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. Allah only forbids you from those who fight you because of religion and expel you from your homes and aid in your expulsion - [forbids] that you make allies of them. And whoever makes allies of them, then it is those who are the wrongdoers.”
Surah al-Mumtahanah (8-9)
Allah SWT states:
وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنْبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَنْ كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا
“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbour, the neighbour farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.”
Surah al-Nisa’ (36)
When commenting the above verse on the concept of doing good to your neighbours, Imam al-Qurtubi said:
“I say: With this, doing good unto your neighbours is encouraged, whether they are Muslims or not. This is the correct conduct. Doing good is in the form of good character and behaviour, avoiding animosity with them.” (Tafsir al-Qurtubi, 5/179)
The act of breaking fast should be viewed as a great medium to get closer with your neighbours regardless of religion and race, showcasing friendliness, hospitality, and sociability of Islam. Furthermore, Ramadhan is a great month in instilling helpfulness and sharing of wealth to those who are in need. It is a common custom overseas for prominent figures such as Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister of Canada), Barak Obama (former President of the United States of America), Lee Hsien Loong (Prime Minister of Singapore) to attend breaking fast events organized by Muslim communities in their respective countries.
Hence, we are inclined towards the opinion that it is permissible to invite non-Muslims for breaking fast in Islam. At the same time, manners and values should be maintained during these breaking fast events. Other than that, the parties responsible for organizing these events should prioritize the poor, needy and orphans from among the Muslims and non-Muslims when considering who they are inviting. Allah SWT states:
وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا
“And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive,”
Surah al-Insan (8)
Providing food is considered as a form of charity. In giving charity towards the non-Muslims, Imam al-Nawawi said:
يُسْتَحَبُّ أَنْ يَخُصَّ بِصَدَقَتِهِ الصُّلَحَاءَ وَأَهْلَ الْخَيْرِ وَأَهْلَ الْمُرُوءَاتِ وَالْحَاجَاتِ فَلَوْ تَصَدَّقَ عَلَى فَاسِقٍ أَوْ عَلَى كَافِرٍ مِنْ يَهُودِيٍّ أَوْ نَصْرَانِيٍّ أَوْ مَجُوسِيٍّ جَازَ وَكَانَ فِيهِ أَجْرٌ فِي الْجُمْلَةِ
“Charity is encouraged to be given to the pious, those who do good deeds, maintaining the dignity of the needy. However, if someone gives charity to the Jews, Christians, or Zoroastrians (fire worshippers), then it is permissible and there will be rewards for his actions.” (al-Majmu’ Syarh al-Muhazzab, 6/240)
However, several matters should be taken into consideration; the location and dress code of the breaking fast events chosen must be appropriate. Moreover, the manners of breaking fast should be observed. Any form of provocations and wrong agendas should be avoided.
May Allah SWT bless us with understanding regarding our religion and make Malaysia as a harmonious and united country.