A Muslim has many obligations towards a non-Muslim. Muslims must call them to the path of Allah. This is to preach to them and to make clear to them the reality of Islam, according to his ability and if he knows to do so. his is the greatest and best good deed that one could do toward his fellow citizen and for those who live together with Jews, Christians and other disbelievers. Allah says:

وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَىٰ ٱلأَرْضِ هَوْناً وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الجَاهِلُونَ قَالُواْ سَلاَماً

“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:63)

Being a Muslim is the greatest blessing of Allah SWT on anyone. Every believer has strong faith in the Oneness of the Almighty Lord and is aware of His commandments in both religious and other life matters. Allah says:

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ * ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلاَتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ * وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ ٱللَّغْوِ مُّعْرِضُونَ

“The believers must (eventually) win through, Those who humble themselves in their prayers, Who avoid vain talk.” (Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:1-3)

Muslim may not wrong the other person concerning his life, wealth or honour if the non-Muslim is a citizen of the Islamic state or has attained other protection. He must fulfil the other’s rights. He may not wrong him concerning his wealth by stealing from him, deceiving him or cheating him. He cannot harm him in his body by beating or killing him. His protection from the state guarantees his safety from such things. Allah says:

عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَجْعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ عَادَيْتُم مِّنْهُم مَّوَدَّةً وَاللَّهُ قَدِيرٌ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“Perhaps Allah [that] will put between you and between those (too) whom you have been enemies, among them love. And Allah (is) All-Powerful. And Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah al-Mumtahana, 60:7)

There is no prohibition concerning buying, selling, renting or other such business transactions with them. It has been authentically reported that the Prophet (SAWS) bought things from the polytheistic disbelievers. He also must be neighbourly toward his non-Muslim neighbour.

Following are discussed some of the major obligations of a Muslim toward non-Muslims in one`s lifetime:

1. A  believer needs to be inclined towards goodness
2. Don’t criticize the small contributions of others
3. A Muslim should develop in his character
4. Keep away from debates and arguments
5. A Muslim must try to control his temper
6. A Muslim should breed in his character
7. Don’t let hatred cause you to be unjust
8. Fulfilment of Rights of Non-Believers
9. Read the Qur’an as often as you can
10. Strengthening Your Faith
11. Invitation to Islamic Creed
12. Responding to Greetings of Peace
13. Avoiding Participation in Festivals
14. Force yourself to go to the masjid
15. Do things that you usually don’t do
16. Donate time and money to the needy
17. Affirm In your heart that God loves you
18. Don’t ask too many favours from people
19. Establish an Islamic culture in the home
20. Stand up for yourself and other Muslims

Being devotees of the Religion of Peace, we must continue the Prophetic tradition and continue serving the true spirit of Islam. When the Apostle ﷺ of Allah received the first revelation, it was the time of polytheism and the Makkans were busy worshipping different kinds of gods.

Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

• “And put thy trust on the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.” (Surah Ash-Shura, 217)
• “So put thy trust in Allah. for thou art on (the path of) manifest Truth.” (Surah An-Naml, 79)
• “And put thy trust in Allah, and enough is Allah as a disposer of affairs.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 3)
• “This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah, and I am not of those who associate others with Him.” (Quran, 12: 108)
• “If Allah had willed, everyone would have been a believer, and so killing people simply because of their disbelief is contrary to the will of Allah. ” (Quran 10:99)
• “And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, “Indeed, I am of the Muslims.” (Quran, 41: 33)
• “And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, “Indeed, I am of the Muslims.” (Quran, 41: 33)
• “Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes – from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” (Quran, 60: 8)
• “It is never the wish of those without Faith among the People of the Book, nor of the Pagans, that anything good should come down to you from your Lord. But Allah will choose for His special Mercy whom He will – for Allah is Lord of grace abounding.” (Surah Al-Baqara, 105)
• “Those who persevere in patience, and put their trust, in their Lord and Cherisher.” (Surah Al-Ankabut, 59)

It is not acceptable for a Muslim to be an active part of celebrations of disbelievers which directly counteract the Islamic commands. Their religious carnivals are exactly opposing to Allah`s directions which means that a belief has to keep away from them. Allah says:

وَلَا تُؤْتُوا السُّفَهَاءَ أَمْوَالَكُمُ الَّتِي جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ قِيَامًا وَارْزُقُوهُمْ فِيهَا وَاكْسُوهُمْ وَقُولُوا لَهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا

“And (do) not give the foolish your wealth which Allah made for you a means of support (but) provide (for) them with it and clothe them and speak to them words (of) kindness.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:5)

If your neighbour is good to you, you do not harm him and you may even give him charity if he is poor or give him a gift if he is rich. Muslims are the luckiest nation of all times as they have been consecrated with the unmatched leadership and direction of the Last Prophet. Allah says:

مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن يَسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوا أُولِي قُرْبَىٰ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ

“Not (it) is for the Prophet and those who believe that they ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even though they are near to kin, after [what] has become clear to them, that they (are the) companions (of) the Hellfire.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9: 113)

A Muslim has many obligations towards a non-Muslim. Allah SWT and His Messenger ﷺ have directed all the disciples of Islam to have a pleasant interaction with non-believers, invite them towards righteousness through good actions and fulfil their due rights.