Inviting non-Muslim for a meal

10-11-2007 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it permissible to invite a disbeliever for a meal at home?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

 In principle, it is permissible to invite a non-Muslim for a meal at home provided that he is not in a state of war with Muslims. This is supported by the Hadeeth where the Prophet mentioned that there is a reward for everyone who feeds or gives water to any living being. [Ahmad] This is more confirmed if there is a tie of kinship between him and the Muslim. It is also permissible if this invitation is made with the intention of calling him to Islam and helping him become familiar with Muslims.

However, the permissibility to invite a non-Muslim to one’s house for food is conditioned to the Muslim being safe from getting influenced by the non-Muslim, and from developing feelings of love or compassion towards the non-Muslim.

Allaah Knows best.