What is the ruling on embracing and kissing a disbeliever, what is its legal evidence, and what is the ruling on shaking hands with him according to Imam Ahmad?

The scholars' dislike of shaking hands with a disbeliever and kissing him is based on the texts that forbid befriending and loving disbelievers, such as Allah's saying: {You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger}.

The Hanafis and Hanbalis consider it disliked for a Muslim to shake hands with a disbeliever. The Hanafis made an exception for shaking hands with a Christian neighbor if abstaining from it would cause him harm. The Malikis deem it impermissible to shake hands with a disbeliever or a foreign woman because the Lawgiver has commanded their abandonment and avoidance.

Thus, for whoever disliked shaking hands, their dislike for kissing is stronger, and for whoever deemed it forbidden, their prohibition of kissing and embracing is more evident, because kissing and embracing necessitate affection.

It is not permissible to seat disbelievers in a position of honor in gatherings or to initiate greetings of peace with them, due to the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Do not initiate the greeting of peace with the Jews and Christians, and if you meet one of them on a path, force them to the narrowest part of it." Imam Ahmad also disliked inquiring about the condition of a disbeliever because it is considered worse than greeting them.