Uthaymeen, the late senior scholar of Saudi Arabia, gave some excellent advice to British Muslims on how a Muslim's dealings with a non-Muslim should be via live tele-link on July 28, 2000. Have respect for the people who have the right that they should be respected, between whom and you is an agreement. The country in which you are living is such that there is an agreement between you and them. If this were not the case, they would have killed you or expelled you. So preserve this agreement and do not be treacherous to it. Treachery is a sign of the hypocrites and it is not the characteristic of believers. It is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said, “Whoever kills one who is under an agreement of protection will not smell the fragrance of Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari, no. 3166). Do not be deceived by the foolish who say, “These people are not Muslims, so their wealth is lawful for us.” I swear by Allah, this is a lie. It's a lie about Allah's Religion and a lie about Islamic societies. It is unlawful to be treacherous towards people, (especially) with whom we have an agreement. O my brothers! O youth! O Muslims! Be truthful in your buying and selling, and renting and leasing, and in all mutual transactions. Because truthfulness is from the characteristics of the believers, and Allah, the Most High, commanded truthfulness: “O you who believe, fear Allah and be with those who are true.” (Qur'an, 9:119) The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged truthfulness: “Adhere to truthfulness, because truthfulness leads to goodness, and goodness leads to Paradise; and a person will continue to be truthful, and strive to be truthful, until he will be written down with Allah as a truthful person.” And he (peace be upon him) warned against falsehood: “Beware of falsehood, because falsehood leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire. And a person will continue lying and striving to lie until he is written down with Allah as a great liar.” (Sahih Al-Jaami' As-Saghir, no. 4071) O Muslims! O youth! Be true in your sayings with your brothers and with non-Muslims whom you live along with. By your actions you will be inviters to the religion of Islam. And indeed how many people first entered into Islam because of the behavior and manners of Muslims, their truthfulness and dealings. __
