Questioner:
The second question, our Shaykh: Given that war is currently ongoing between us and the Jews, is it permissible to buy from Jews and work for them in a European country?
Shaykh:
Buying from Jews?
Questioner: Yes, and working for them in a European country.
Shaykh:
We do not distinguish between Jews and Christians regarding commercial dealings with them in those countries. As for non-Muslims (kuffar) and polytheists (mushrikun), if they are protected non-Muslim citizens (dhimmi) residing in the lands of Islam, the permissibility of dealing with them is well known. Likewise, if they are peaceful and non-combatants, the ruling remains the same.
However, if they are combatants at war, it is not permissible to deal with them at all—whether in the land they have occupied, such as the Jews in the land of Palestine, or in their own lands, so long as they are actively waging war against us. As for those who are peaceful, as we mentioned, it remains permissible based on the original principle.