Visiting the Non-Muslim Sick and Greeting them on Festivals

On the authority of Anas, Al-Bukhari narrated in "The Book of Funerals": "When a Jewish boy, who used to serve the Prophet, became ill the Prophet went to call on him. He sat near the head of his bed and told him, `Accept Islam'. He looked at his father who was standing nearby. His father said, `Do as Abu al-Qaasim says'. So he accepted Islam. As he left the Prophet said, ‘Praise be to Allah who has saved him from Hell Fire.’ "[1]

Al-Bukhari also related the story of the Prophet's encouragement of Abu Taalib, at the time of his death, to accept Islam[2].

Ibn Bataal says that visiting the sick should be in order to encourage them to enter Islam, if this is not the reason for visiting them, then it is not allowed.[3] Ibn Hajar remarks that whether or not visiting them is allowed depends on the intentions for going, since there may well be other hidden benefits from visiting the sick.[4]

As for wishing them well, on their holidays and festivals of distorted belief, everyone agrees that this is not allowed. This includes telling them `Merry Christmas,' or `Happy Easter,' or `Happy Hanukkah,' and so forth, since this is really congratulating them in their states of disbelief, which is forbidden. It is like wishing them well for the worship of Christ, indeed, it is worse than this before Allah, and more loathsome than wishing them good health as they drink alcoholic drinks; worse than killing someone unjustly or engaging in illicit sex.

A lot of people who do not cherish their faith fall into this trap, not knowing the seriousness of what they do. Whoever wishes a man well in his transgression, his Bidah or disbelief has exposed himself to the Wrath of Allah. God fearing and pious people, from among those of knowledge, used to avoid greeting local rulers, foolish 'Lords' and 'Professors' and so forth, to stay well clear of Allah's Wrath. 'If a man had them is fortune of seeing one of them he would busy himself to shield himself from any trouble that might arise from their presence. He would approach them without praising them or wishing them well in their wrong ways, but speak to them civilly; there is no harm in this[5].

This raises the question of calling them by honorific titles like sir or master which is certainly forbidden. Evidence for this is to be found in a Marfu'[6] Hadith saying: "Do not say, `Master' to a hypocrite for if you take him for `Master', then you have annoyed your Lord, Glorious and Exalted."[7]

It is likewise forbidden, as Ibn al-Qayyim points out, to give them official titles of respect or state honours, and if they adopt these names themselves; Muslims may not call them by these names such as Muiz ad-Dawlah, ar-Rasheed, etc... If he is a Christian then you should refer to him as `Christian', or Crusader' and to the Jew you say 'Jew'. Then Ibn al-Qayyim continues, "But today we see them sitting in official committees. People stand for them greeting them warmly. They are given responsibility over military requisitions, and the treasury. They are called such things Abu al-'Alaa', Abu al-Fadl and Abu at-Tayyib; they are called Hassan, Uthman and Ali! Yet their names used to be John, Matthew and George, Paul, Ezra, Erazmus and Ezeikel. In every age they have positions in the state and men of public life."[8]

This is what Ibn al-Qayyim had to say about it, and he died six hundred and fifty years ago. But you see the Muslims today who are like the foam on the sea. They assert that they are Muslims, but follow the enemies of Allah in all things, large and small. If one of the disbelievers were to enter a lizard's hole, they would follow after them. They do not simply follow them, but they do it to unbelievable extremes. At every opportunity our enemies are congratulated, well-wishes are sent, toasts made to their health, and heartfelt honey-sweet greetings are conveyed!