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Calling
non-Muslims "brother" or "sister"
Question:
When I invite non-Muslims to Islaam, I find that I sometimes
call them "sister" and "brother" or I
say "O brothers" meaning by that the human brotherhood.
I do this in order to soften their hearts and to attract them
to listen to what I have to say. Is there anything wrong in
doing this?
Response:
There is no doubt that it is not permissible to call the non-Muslims
"brothers" because Allaah (Subhaanahu
wa Ta'aala) says, {Verily, the believers are brothers}
[Soorah
Hujaraat, Aayah
10].
Brotherhood, therefore, is in faith. If, however, he were
a brother by descent, it would be acceptable. Allaah (Subhaanahu
wa Ta'aala) says, {And to 'Aad (We sent) their brother
Hood} [Soorah
Hood, Aayah
50].
{And to Madyan (We sent) their brother Shu'ayban} [Soorah
Hood, Aayah
84]. And similar such verses.
This
is acceptable when there is a fraternal relationship by lineage.
However, he is not your brother in religion. Allaah, the Sublime,
said to Nooh, concerning his son, {Verily, he is not of your
family} [Soorah
Hood, Aayah
46].
However,
it is possible to find a way around this. He shouldn't say,
"Oh my brother" but rather he should say, "Oh
brother" meaning by this, that he is brother to whoever
is his brother, either in religion or through descent. In
this way, he can attract him and soften his heart while not
attributing brotherhood to himself. Hinting or allusion is
a way out of lying.
Shaykh
Ibn 'Uthaymeen
al-Aqalliyaat al-Muslimah - Page 75, Fatwa No.15
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