I have many non-Muslim friends in my circle. I just want to know how should approach them and present them Islam. A few of them have done favour for me in my bad time. In return I want to do something that may benefit them in the hereafter life. Please tell me what sort of book I should present them because if I initially present them the Holy Qur'an they may not be able to understand Islam.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, you should know that a Muslim is not permitted to have affection for a non-Muslim or to befriend him regardless of whether that non-Muslim is a Jew or a Christian.

Allah Says (what means):

• {O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth.} [Quran 60:1]

• {O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.} [Quran 5:51]

There are many other verses in this regard. The aforementioned matter is different from the kindness and justice that are made lawful by Allah with peaceful non-Muslims. In fact, being kind and just with them does not necessarily mean having love, affection, and brotherhood with them.

Allah Says (what means): {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]

Therefore, one may be kind and good with the non-Muslims as long as they are as mentioned in the verse.

As for how to call them to Islam, then please refer to Fataawa 84349, 91563, 21363, 30315 and 90486.

For more benefit on dealing with non-Muslims and being just with them, please refer to Fataawa 369664, 384016, 395743, 383995, 333871, 329059 and 88293.

Allah knows best.