Muslims believe that Islam is the religion of all the prophets sent by Allah to mankind, it is the religion which was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of Allah, the same religion of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace on all of them).

"Abraham was not a Jew nor Christian; but an upright Muslim." (Qur'an 3:67)

The message of prophet Moses (PBUH) over time was lost, changed, and foraged by man to a different religion, that has nothing to do with the true religion of God and the teachings of Moses (PBUH). That's why God sent Jesus (PBUH) later to correct the religion and spread the true religion of God. Later Jesus (PBUH) teachings and message were lost, changed, and forged by man.

Since the messages and books of previous prophets were lost, changed, and forged by man over time, God sent Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) as the last messenger with the the final book of divine revelation, the Qur'an, after that the only religion that God will accept from the day that Prophet Mohammad (SAW) message came is Islam because it is the first, the last, the only religion of God.

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam never will It be accepted of Him" (Qur'an 3:85)

God has guaranteed that the he will guard the message of Islam from corruption by man and that it will stand the test of time until the day of judgment.

Unfortunately, the Christians made the same mistake the Jews did with Jesus (PBUH) by rejecting Muhammad (PBUH) as a prophet without reading about his message out of vanity.

Question:

What is obligatory upon a Muslim with respect to non-Muslims concerning different types of interactions and also with respect to holidays and festivals?

Response:

The responsibility of a Muslim towards non-Muslims are many, including:

First, he must call them to the way of Allah. This is to preach to them and to make clear to them the reality of Islam, according to his ability and if he has the knowledge to do so.

This is the greatest and best good deed that one could do toward his fellow citizen and for those who live together with Jews, Christians and other disbelievers. On this point, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The one who guides to good gets the same reward as the one who performs it. " [Muslim]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also told Ali, when he was sending him to Khaibar to encounter the Jews, to invite the Jews to Islam. He told him, "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah] Calling them to Islam, preaching Islam to them and advising them concerning that is one of the most important deeds and is one of the best ways to get closer to Allah.

Second, [the Muslim] may not wrong the other person with respect to his life, wealth or honor, if the non-Muslim is a citizen of the Islamic state or has attained other protection. He must fulfill the other's rights. He may not wrong him with respect to his wealth by stealing from him, deceiving him or cheating him. He cannot harm him in his body by beating or killing him. His protection from the state guarantees his safety from such things.

Third, there is no prohibition concerning buying, selling, renting or other such business transactions with them.

It has been authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) bought things from the polytheistic disbelievers. He also purchased items from Jews. In fact, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) died, his shield was being held as collateral with a Jewish person in exchange for food for his family.

Fourth, He must be neighborly toward his non-Muslim neighbor. If your neighbor is good to you, you do not harm him and you may even give him charity if he is poor or give him a gift if he is rich. You may also advise him concerning what is good for him. and because neighbors have very great rights. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The Angel Gabriel kept advising me concerning the neighbor until I thought he was going to inherit [from his neighbor]." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] Allah also says in the Quran, "Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and drove you not from your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity" [al-Mumtahinah (60):7].

It is recorded in an authentic hadith from Asma bint Abu Bakr that her mother, who was a polytheist, visited her and asked for her assistance - this was during the time of the peace treaty between the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the disbelievers so she went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to ask him about that and he told her to keep the ties of kinship with her and be righteous towards her.

Fifth, a Muslim should not participate with them in their greetings and festivals. However, one may give them condolences upon the death of someone if he finds some legal benefit in doing so. He may say to them, "May future bring good to you," or something of that nature.