Saying Brother to Non-Muslim
20-6-2000 | IslamWeb
Question:
There are Jewish Chat rooms on the internet. Is it allowed to join those rooms to invite the Jews to Islam using polite talk and beautiful preaching. For example, can I call them 'Brothers in humanity!'? Can I address them with respect? Can I show them the Qur'anic verses translated to English? Thank you!
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
There is no harm in addressing these Jews and calling them to Islam with wisdom and fair preaching, so that Allah guides whom He has prescribed guidance for, or to show them the right way so they do not say on the Last Day that they never heard about Islam. But those who take on this charge should be well equipped with Islamic knowledge to protect themselves from the disbelievers' bad ways and to be able to illustrate Islam clearly, eloquently, and accurately to them. Such callers to Islam should also be confident enough to stand firmly before the disbelievers; otherwise, they could unwillingly cause more harm to Islam than benefit. As for the manner in which they should be approached, it should include sound evidence, wisdom, and good preaching. Allah Says (what means): {Invite (all) to the way of the Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious).} [Quran 16: 125]
It is permissible to tell them that we are all brothers, our father is Adam and our mother is Eve and that there is no preference of any person over another person except by degree of piety, obedience and fear of Allah. One should mention to them what Allah ordered His messenger to tell them (which means): {Say (O Muhammad) "O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims."} [Quran 3:64]
There is no harm in advising them to read the translations of the meaning of the Quran in English or any other language that they understand. But one should make sure that the translation he is suggesting is authentic and good. We would like to draw your attention to a very dangerous thing. Some people use the “Humanitarian Brotherhood” to mean the dissolution of religious differences among the different religions, as well as sweeping away the principle of amity, enmity and disavowal which is one of the most important principles of belief (i.e. Walaa’ and Baraa’). Indeed, using such an expression even with good intentions is not permitted; Allah forbids us to say to the Prophet the term “Raa’ina" instead of” “Unthurna” though they mean: listen to us. Allah forbids saying “Raa’ina” instead of “Unthurna” although they are synonymous in Arabic. But because some hypocrites, as well as some Jews, used it with bad intentions, describing the honorable Prophet with a description that fits them and them only. They use the word “Raa’ina” in another meaning, that is, stupid.
Allah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, say not [to Allah 's Messenger], “Raa'ina” but say, “Unthurna” and listen. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.} [Quran 2:104]
For more benefit on Walaa’ and Baraa’, please refer to Fatwa 361090.
Allah knows best.