Non-Muslims are required to follow the teachings of Islam

15-3-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

As-salaamu 3laikum, Sometimes when I have my period I may sit with my non-Muslim relatives during the whole time between one prayer and another, because in winter in my country the prayer times are very close together. Do I incur any sin because they do not get up to pray during this time? Jazaakumu Allahu khair

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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.

You have not sinned over what you mentioned because you were not the cause for them not to pray; the reason was their unbelief and not the fact that you were sitting with them. They would not have performed the prayer whether you were sitting with them or not. However, we advise you to strive to call them to Islam; Allaah, The Exalted, may guide them to Islam at your hands. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “By Allaah! If a single person embraces Islam at your hands, that will be better for you than the red camels.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Moreover, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “If anyone summons others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without their rewards being diminished in any respect on that account.” [Muslim]

If you sensed that there is no hope of setting them right, then it is not good to keep their company. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Keep only the believer for a companion and let only the pious eat your food." [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]

Please refer to Fatwa 85569 underlining that the unbelievers are required to observe the applied teachings of Islam. Also refer to Fataawa 84345 and 85180 about the virtues and methods of preaching Islam to non-Muslims, and Fataawa 88906, 81979 and 88051 about the virtues of Islam.

Allaah Knows best.