IslamicAnswers.com: Islamic Advice

A drunk man passed out on the sidewalk in downtown San Francisco. How are we Muslims supposed to treat such people?

As-salamu alaykum. This isn't about marriage or family but it came up in a forum that I belong to called Ummah1.com and I took the time to post an answer there, so I am copying it here. It started with a question by M. Shamsiddeen:

Question:

This is a true story.. Two Muslim brothers saw a non-Muslim man lying down on the sidewalk too drunk to even get up. They took his wallet and took all his money from him.

Later they laughingly told this story to a friend of mine (another Muslim). They thought it was a great joke. My friend was horrified and told them that this was wrong and they had no right to do this. They stated that since he the fellow on the sidewalk was a kafir and drunk, that there was no wrong in it and that it was okay. In vain, my friend tried to convince them that this was wrong but they never saw it that way.

- M. Shamsiddeen

Wael's Answer:

As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullah,

These two young "Muslims" have no understanding of what Islam is. They apparently think it is a private club that gives them superiority over other ("kafir") human beings. They are either deeply confused, or they have an inclination to corruption and they are seeking justifications.

Superiority lies only in belief and behavior. If your behavior is poor, then you are no better than the drunk on the sidewalk and you may in fact be much worse.

Islam is a religion of compassion and mercy. When the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) first arrived in Madinah, one of the Sahabah asked him how to best serve the cause of Islam. The Messenger of Allah said, "Spread peace and feed the people." That's Islam!

What is our job as Muslims in regard to the non-Muslims? Even with drunks, drug addicts, etc? Is it to deride them, mock them, fight with them, and humiliate them?

Absolutely not!

Our job is to reach out to them and share Islam with them. Even a drunk, a drug addict or a thief can change completely upon embracing the truth of Islam. We know from our history that many of the Sahabah were sinners before embracing Islam. Anyone can change.

It's only by the grace of Allah that some of us were born into Islam, with good families, money for food and clothing and education. All of that is not given to us because of some superiority of ours, but as a test! What will we do with what Allah has given us?

If we look at that drunk on the sidewalk as a potential Muslim, waiting for someone to share the truth and lift him up from the darkness and misery of his life, then we begin to realize how totally corrupt were the actions of those two young "Muslims", and we see that they were acting not as Muslims but as devils whose behavior is damaging to themselves, to others, and to the cause of Allah.

There are Muslims who operate soup kitchens and homeless shelters in American cities, helping the downtrodden regardless of their religion, feeding and sheltering anyone who needs it including drunks and drug addicts. These Muslims are true examples of Islam. Their lives are da'wah in action.

At least your friend spoke up and tried to correct those two young men. Who knows, perhaps his words penetrated but they were too embarrassed to admit it. May Allah guide them.

If any readers have additional advice for this questioner, I invite you to post your comments below.

(O Allah), Guide us to the straight path; The path of those whom you have favored; Not those with whom you are angry; Nor those who go astray.

Best regards,

- Wael Abdelgawad
IslamicAnswers.com Editor