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

 Social and economic rights of non-Muslims

With regard to business, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has given glad tidings of mercy for the man who deals out generously.  There is a Hadith in this regard:

عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ - رضى الله عنهما - أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قَالَ « رَحِمَ اللَّهُ رَجُلاً سَمْحًا إِذَا بَاعَ ، وَإِذَا اشْتَرَى ، وَإِذَا اقْتَضَى

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  May Allah have mercy on the gentle businessman who when he sells, buys and demands, does so gently.[1] 

Through this Hadith, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has given glad tidings of dealing gently with non-Muslims as well. 

In an Islamic government, non-Muslims have the right to board along with Muslims and to do business with them, as Imam Abu Yusuf (May Allah shower His mercy on him) has written in Kitab Ul Kharaaj:

ويتركون يسكنون في أمصار المسلمين وأسواقهم يبيعون ويشترون

Translation: They will have the right to stay in the cities of Muslims and the right to do business in Muslims’ markets.[2]