What is the ruling on joking with disbelievers in light of His, the Almighty's, saying: "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are strong against disbelievers, merciful among themselves" and His saying: "There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day"?

The disbeliever must be abhorred in the heart of the Muslim for his disbelief, but he should be treated kindly with righteousness and fairness and without injustice, as long as he is peaceful, and he should be invited to Islam with kindness. There is no harm in showing cheerfulness, laughter, and joking with him without being pleased with his disbelief, as this does not contradict abhorring him in the heart, as was narrated from the Salaf and as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did with some disbelievers. Good treatment of the disbeliever does not necessitate the prohibited affection by Islamic law.