Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
My university is having a “fast-a-thon”, where we get non-Muslims to fast for a day to raise money for an organization which feeds poor people. In Islam is it allowed for Muslims and non-Muslims to have Iftar together? Since on that day the Muslim students will be having Iftar with the non-Muslim students. Is this allowed?
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
There is nothing wrong with breaking one’s fast with non-Muslims. Rather, it is from the good dealings we have been encouraged to have with them.
Allah Most high said,
“Allah forbids you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that you should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loves the just dealers.” (Qur’an, 60: 8)
Abu al-Darda’ (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said,
“Nothing more weighty than good character is placed on the Scales [on the Day of Judgement].” [Tirmidhi 1936, Abu Dawud 4166, Ahmad 26224, and others]
Wassalam,