Mixing with the Disbelievers

Question: We are Iraqis living in Poland. Several local families are our neighbors; they treat us well and show us good neighborly conduct, and we do the same. May we interact with them on a family basis—sitting with them and sharing meals—even though they respect our religion and refrain from any wrongdoing in our presence? Is that permissible?

Answer: A Muslim should not mix with disbelievers, feel at ease with them, or place his trust in them, even when they are neighbors. Still, a neighbor—Muslim or not—must be treated kindly and never harmed, for neighbors fall into three categories:

1. A neighbor who enjoys three rights: the Muslim relative, who possesses the right of Islam, the right of neighborhood, and the right of kinship.

2. A neighbor who enjoys two rights: the Muslim who is not a relative; he has the right of Islam and the right of neighborhood.

3. A neighbor who possesses only one right: the non-Muslim neighbor. He is entitled solely to the right of neighborhood, which is that you treat him well and allow no harm or ill treatment to reach him from you.

As for becoming close with them, feeling safe with them, or loving them: it is not permissible for a Muslim to take a disbeliever as a friend, grow familiar with him, trust him, or socialize closely with him, for such interaction may—sooner or later—have an adverse effect on you or on your children.