Interacting with a murtad

Q: I have a relative that turned to Christianity. He therefore is a murtad for more than 30 years and I refuse to associate with him. Some family members however associate with him as per normal. I even saw him recently in a masjid for his mother's janaaza taking part in the salaah.

I would appreciate if you can advise as everyone thinks I'm at fault as I must greet and interact with him to show him the beauty of Islam although he is a born Muslim. We tried in the beginning but he regrettably still practices Christianity.

A: The command of Shariah is that if he has become a murtad and is not prepared to accept Islam, then one should cut off all ties with him. Continuing to live with him as normal is against the laws of Shariah and is not permissible. However, if the family wishes to go to him in order to invite him to Islam and speak to him about deen, then this is permissible.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)