hadith or ayah on Friendship

Madina Archives


Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board

hadith or ayah on Friendship
tq
11/22/00 at 14:39:44
Assalamo elikuim
I need some saying/hadith or ayah that I can write on a thank you card which tells the importance of good friend or some thing of the sort. I will be leaving my current job in two weeks time and the people here have been very good and understanding of Islam and I want to thank them and show them how good friends are valued in Islam.
Any ideas about what to write ?
Thanks
tq

Re: hadith or ayah on Friendship
MuSLiMa
11/23/00 at 14:41:20
Assalaamu Alaikum

Just one question ... are these friends you are leaving Muslim or other? Unless I'm mistaken, we're not to really take non-Muslims as friends/protectors etc, unless of course you meant friends in Islam as in between one Muslim and another and NOT friendship between a Muslim and a non-Muslim? hmm, today's my last day at work ... i sure hope i don't cry
Re: hadith or ayah on Friendship
MuSLiMa
11/23/00 at 14:53:11
[i]Surah At-Tauba [9] Ayah 71[/i]

And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and they establish worship and they pay the poor-due, and they obey Allah and His messenger. As for these, Allah will have mercy on them. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise.

[i]Surah Al-Mumtahana [60] Ayah 1[/i]

O ye who believe! Choose not My enemy and your enemy for friends. Do ye give them friendship when they disbelieve in that truth which hath come unto you, driving out the messenger and you because ye believe in Allah, your Lord? If ye have come forth to strive in My way and seeking My good pleasure, (show them not friendship). Do ye show friendship unto them in secret, when I am best Aware of what ye hide and what ye proclaim? And whosoever doeth it among you, he verily hath strayed from the right way.

Muslim friendship with non-Muslims
bhaloo
11/23/00 at 18:54:27
slm

Here is a question and answer session with Dr. Siddiqi (President of ISNA) with regards to this:


Q 1. A Greek Christian friend of mine came to me and said that he wanted a book that guides the way a man should live. I offered him the Qur'an. He took deep interest in reading it until he came across: " 5:54 O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily God guideth not a people unjust."

To which he asked "why is that so?" Why is your book telling you that we can't be your friends? Does that mean I can't be your friend? And at his request I am seeking help from you to throw some light on it. I too am confused by this. And if that is so then why does Islam allow us to marry Christian and Jewish girls (Despite the fact they might not want to change their religion.) Please reply soon. (Adnan Malik, U.K.)


A 1. The Qur'an does not say that non-Muslims cannot be Muslims' friends, nor does it forbid Muslims to be friendly to non-Muslims. There are many non- Muslims who are good friends of Muslim individuals and the Muslim community. There are also many good Muslims who truly and sincerely observe their faith and at the same time they are very friendly to many non-Muslims. Islam teaches us that we should be friendly to all people. Islam teaches us that we should deal even with our enemies with justice and fairness. Allah says in the Qur'an in the beginning of the same Surah al-Ma'idah, "O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as witnesses to fair dealings and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just, that is next to piety. Fear Allah, indeed Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do." (al-Ma'idah 5:8) In another place in the Qur'an, Allah says, "Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them. For Allah loves those who are just. Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your homes and support others in driving you out, from turning to them for protection (or taking them as wali). Those who seek their protection they are indeed wrong- doers." (al-Mumtahinah 60:8-9) Allah has described Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- as "a mercy" to the worlds. He was a sign of Allah's mercy to all, Muslims as well as non-Muslims. In his kindness and fair treatment he did not make any difference between the believers and non-believers. He was kind to the pagans of Makkah and fought them only when they fought him. He made treaties with the Jews of Madinah and honored the treaties until they broke them. He received the Christians of Najran with kindness in his Masjid in Madinah. They argued with him about Islam, but he returned them with honor and respect. There are many examples from his life that show that he was the most friendly person to all people.

In the ayah that you quoted the word "awliya" is used. It is a plural and its singular is "wali". The correct translation of the word "wali" is not "friend" but it is someone who is very close and intimate. It is also used to mean "guardian, protector, patron, lord and master". In the Qur'an this word is used for God, such as "Allah is the Protector (or Lord and Master) of those who believe. He takes them out from the depths of darkness to light…" (al- Baqarah 2:257) There are many other references in the Qur'an that give this meaning. The same word is also sometime used in the Qur'an for human beings, such as "And whosoever is killed unjustly, We have granted his next kin (wali) the authority (to seek judgement or punishment in this case)…" (al-Isra' 17:33).

The correct translation of the ayah in Surah al-Ma'idah is, "O you who believe! Do not take Jews and Christians as your patrons. They are patrons of their own people. He among you who will turn to them for patronage is one of them. Verily Allah guides not a people unjust." (al-Ma'idah 5:51). It is obvious that Jews patronize Jews and Christians patronize the Christians, so why not Muslims patronize Muslims and support their own people. This ayah is not telling us to be against Jews or Christians, but it is telling us that we should take care of our own people and we must support each other.

Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir has mentioned that some scholars say that this ayah of Surah al-Ma'idah was revealed after the Battle of Uhad when Muslims had a set back. At that time a Muslim from Madinah said, "I am going to live with Jews so I shall be safe in case another attack comes on Madinah." And another person said, "I am going to live with Christians so I shall be safe in case another attack comes on Madinah." So Allah revealed this ayah reminding the Believers that they should not seek the protection from others, but should protect each other. (see Ibn Kathir, Al-Tafsir, vol. 2, p. 68)

Muslims are allowed to have non-Muslims as friends as long as they keep their own faith and commitment to Islam pure and strong. You are correct in pointing out that a Muslim man is also allowed to marry a Jewish or Christian woman. It is obvious that one marries someone for love and friendship. If friendship between Muslims and Jews or Christians was forbidden, then why would Islam allow a Muslim man to marry a Jew or Christian woman? It is the duty of Muslims to patronize Muslims. They should not patronize any one who is against their faith or who fights their faith, even if they were their fathers and brothers. Allah says, "O you who believe! Take not for protectors (awliya') your fathers and your brothers if they love unbelief above faith. If any of you do so, they are indeed wrong-doers." (al-Tawbah 9:23) In a similar way the Qur'an also tells Muslims that they should never patronize the non-Muslims against other Muslims. However, if some Muslims do wrong to some non-Muslims, it is Muslims duty to help the non-Muslims and save them from the oppression of the so-called Muslims. The Prophet -peace be upon him- said that he himself will be the plaintiff of a Dhimmi living among Muslims to whom injustice is done by Muslims. But Islam also teaches that Muslims should not seek the patronage of non- Muslims against other Muslims. They should try to solve their problems among themselves. Allah says, "Let not the Believers take the unbelievers as their patrons over against the Believers… (Al 'Imran 3:28) "O you who believe! Take not for patrons unbelievers rather than Believers. Do you wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves?" (al-Nisa' 4:144)
NS
Re: hadith or ayah on Friendship
bhaloo
11/23/00 at 18:56:27
slm

TQ, maybe you could use this ayah?

Quran 49:13
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other).  Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you.  And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

NS
Re: hadith or ayah on Friendship
Malika
11/28/00 at 15:33:28
slm

Arshad I think that is most appropriate for the situation.  I'm glad you gave that explanation as that is how I interpreted it also


Individual posts do not necessarily reflect the views of Jannah.org, Islam, or all Muslims. All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. Comments are owned by the poster and may not be used without consent of the author.
The rest © Jannah.Org