Everything that enrages the disbeliever pleases Allah, and everything that honors the disbeliever angers Allah, because honoring the disbeliever means showing honor to one whom Allah has humiliated; this is a defiant affront to Allah. Therefore, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said regarding the Jews and Christians: “Do not initiate the greeting with the Jews or Christians, and when you meet one of them on the road, compel him to its narrowest part” (1).

Thus, when Muslims and disbelievers meet on the road, they must not blend in with one another. Should we move aside to let them pass? The answer is no. Rather, we remain firm and leave the narrowness to them; they are the ones who should move aside. This is the meaning of the hadith. It does not mean that, when a person sees a disbeliever, he should harass him until he is pressed against the wall. This was neither known in the time of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, nor intended by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

Everything that honors the disbeliever is therefore forbidden and impermissible. Hence Allah says: “Nor do they tread any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they gain anything from an enemy, without a righteous deed being recorded for them thereby. Indeed, Allah does not allow the reward of those who do good to go to waste.” [al-Tawbah: 120]

And in describing the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions, He says: “It delights the sowers, so that through them He may enrage the disbelievers.” [al-Fath: 29]