Fourth: When a parent is an unbeliever, the Muslim child is still obliged to treat him with filial kindness, yet he must not obey him in matters of disbelief. The Exalted says, “We have enjoined upon man kindness to his parents. His mother carried him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Give thanks to Me and to your parents—unto Me is the final return. But if they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them; keep their company in this world with customary good conduct, and follow the path of those who turn to Me” (Luqman 14–15). Thus the parent retains his right even if he is an unbeliever; one does not love him with an inner, heartfelt attachment, but rather recompenses him for having raised one, for he is a parent and is entitled to that recognition.

Fifth: Engaging in commerce with unbelievers—purchasing necessities from them, importing goods and even weaponry from them for a price—is permissible. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, conducted business with non-Muslims; he likewise dealt with the people of Khaybar, who were Jews, allowing them to work the land in return for a share of its produce. This is not an expression of walāʾ (alliance of affection); it is simply the exchange of mutual interests. We must understand that such dealings do not fall under walāʾ and are not forbidden.

Borrowing from them is also permissible. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, “borrowed food from a Jew and pledged his coat of mail with him, and he passed away while his armor was still held in pledge by that Jew for the food he had acquired for his family.” There is no objection to this, for these are matters