Relations with non-Muslims - Teachings of the Prophet of Mercy(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

 Visiting sick non-Muslims

Muslims should maintain cordial relations with non-Muslim compatriots.  They should share their sorrows, help them in their crises and call upon them when they are ill.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari in this regard:

عَنْ أَنَسٍ - رضى الله عنه - قَالَ كَانَ غُلاَمٌ يَهُودِىٌّ يَخْدُمُ النَّبِىَّ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فَمَرِضَ ، فَأَتَاهُ النَّبِىُّ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يَعُودُهُ ، فَقَعَدَ عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ « أَسْلِمْ » . فَنَظَرَ إِلَى أَبِيهِ وَهْوَ عِنْدَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَطِعْ أَبَا الْقَاسِمِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - . فَأَسْلَمَ ، فَخَرَجَ النَّبِىُّ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - وَهْوَ يَقُولُ « الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِى أَنْقَذَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Anas (May Allah be well pleased with him) that a boy who served the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) fell sick.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) went to visit him.  He sat near his head and asked him to embrace Islam.  The boy looked askance at his father who was sitting there.  He said:  Obey Hadhrat Abul Qasim (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Thus the boy embraced Islam.  The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came out saying: Praise be to Allah Who saved the boy from the fire of hell.[1] 

There is another Hadith about visiting sick non-Muslims:

ثنا سعيد بن ميسرة قال سمعت أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه يقول كان رسول الله إذا عاد رجلا على غير دين الإسلام لم يجلس عنده وقال كيف أنت يا يهودي يا نصراني

Translation: Hadhrat Sa’eed bin Maisarah (May Allah be well pleased with him) says:  I heard Hadhrat Anas bin Malik (May Allah be well pleased with him) say:  Whenever the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would call upon any sick non-Muslim, he would not take a seat there unless He would inquire about the condition of the sick person and would ask:  O Jew/O Christian!  How are you?[2] 

In the same way, if a non-Muslim relative dies the Muslim guardian is allowed to perform the final rites and bury the non-Muslim.  As mentioned in Kanz Ud Daqaaiq, Babul Janaaiz:

يُغَسِّلُ وَلِيُّ مُسْلِمٍ الْكَافِرَ وَيُكَفِّنُهُ وَيَدْفِنُهُ