Sharing apartment with a non-Muslim and his girlfriend

10-12-2012 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am a muslim working in an arab country and sharing an apartment with a kafir and his girlfriend,it is haram to me but fine with him,company has refuse my request for a new apartment.what do i do?

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

We are not aware of any evidence prohibiting a Muslim from residing with a non-Muslim; however, since the non-Muslim whom you have mentioned in the question has a girlfriend, then if this accommodation has common facilities or that one may see them (him and his girlfriend) or hear them doing evil, then you are not permitted to live with them, as it is not permissible for a Muslim to be present at a place where evil is being committed unless he has the intention of changing (or denying) the evil that is taking place. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.}[Quran 6:68]

Besides, Jaabir  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, he should not sit at a table where wine is being served.” [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi]

Therefore, if residing with them is as we have mentioned, then you are obliged to look for another apartment and it is not permissible to continue residing in that apartment. You should try your best to convince the administration to let you move to another apartment. If you do not find any other alternative and you are in need of residing in this apartment, then it is permissible for you to reside in it while being very careful and avoiding the reasons of temptation, and you should reduce your presence in it as much as you can.

All what we have mentioned applies if the facilities…etc are common; however, if the apartment has separate facilities for each of you, then it is permissible to reside in it. Nonetheless, it is more appropriate to stay away from such people who are bad to see as one’s heart may be affected by seeing them.

Allaah Knows best.

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