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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Surah 5:51... answers please... |
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| Ameeraana |
| 09/19/02 at 19:56:47 |
| [5.51] "O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people." [color=Blue]Is this meaning that prefering/only having friends whom are only Jews and Christians is haram, or that having any friends whom are Jews and Christians Haram?[/color] [color=Blue]I am guessing it is prefering/only having Jew sand Christian as friends over Muslims... I do wish this does not mean to dump all non-Muslim friends and family... ...I know there are so many ways to interpret the Qur'ans' Arabic words but that just seems too much to have to sever all ties with non-Muslims... I would greatly appreciate your answers. Ameera[/color] |
| http://www.radwRe: Surah 5:51... answers please... |
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| Red |
| 09/20/02 at 00:07:54 |
| [slm] Sister, I hope this helps you!: http://www.radwan.cwc.net/friends.html Friendship with Non-Muslims By Sheikh Qaradawi A question which troubles some people and which is sometimes discussed openly is the following: How can we show kindness, affection, and good treatment to non-Muslims since Allah Ta'ala Himself prohibits Muslims to take non-believers as friends, allies, and supporters in such verses as the following: O you who believe, do not take the Jews and Christians as friends; they are the friends (only) of each other. And whoever among you turns to them (for friendship) is certainly one of them; indeed, Allah does not guide the people who do wrong. Yet thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease racing toward them...(5:54-55(51-52)) The answer to this is that these verses are not unconditional, to be applied to every Jew, Christian, or non-Muslim. Interpreting them in this manner contradicts the injunctions of the Qur'an which enjoin affection and kindness to the good and peace-loving peoples of every religion, as well as the verses which permit marriage to the women of the People of the Book, with all that Allah says concerning marriage—"and He has put love and mercy between you" (30:21)—and the verse concerning the Christians: ...And thou wilt find those who say, 'Surely we are Christians.' to be nearest to them (the Muslims) in affection....(5:85 (82)) (The terms Christian and Christianity do not appear in the Christian scriptures nor can they be attributed to Jesus (pbuh) himself. The followers of Jesus were known as Nasara (helpers) and this is the word used in the Arabic text of the Qur'an; the name "Christian" was originally used by those who held the followers in contempt.) The verses cited above were revealed in connection with those people who were hostile to Islam and made war upon the Muslims. Accordingly, it is not permissible for the Muslim to support or assist them—that is, to be their ally—nor to entrust them with secrets at the expense of his own religion and community. This point is explained in other verses, in which Allah Ta'ala says: They will spare nothing to ruin you; they yearn for what makes you suffer. Hatred has been expressed by their mouths, but what their hearts conceal is still greater. Thus have We made clear to you the revelations (or signs), if you possess understanding. Ah! You love them, but they do not love you....(3:118-119) This ayah throws light on the character of such people, who conceal great enmity and hatred against the Muslims in their hearts and whose tongues express some of the effects of such hostility. Allah Ta'ala also says, Thou wilt not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they may be their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kin....(58:22) Opposition to Allah is not simply belief but includes hostility toward Islam and Muslims. Allah also says, O you who believe, do not take My enemy and your enemy as friends, offering them affection, even though they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth, driving out the Messenger and yourselves because you believe in Allah, your Lord....(60:1) This verse was revealed in connection with the pagans of Makkah, who declared war on Allah and His Messenger (peace be on him), driving the Muslims out of their homes simply because they said, "Our Lord is Allah." With this type of people, friendship and alliance cannot be permitted. Yet in spite of this, the Qur'an did not dismiss the hope that some day there might be a reconciliation; it did not declare utter disappointment in them but encouraged the Muslims to entertain the hope of better circumstances and improved relationships, for in the same surah Allah says: It may be that Allah will bring about affection between you and those who are your enemies from among them. And Allah is All-Powerful, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (60:7) This Qur'anic statement gives the assurance that this bitter hostility and deep hatred will pass way, as it is also stated in the hadith, "Hate your enemy mildly; he may become your friend one day." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi . Al-Bayheqi reported it in Shi'ab al-iman from Abu Hurairah. Al-Suyuti called it "good," transmitting the first part as "Love your friend mildly; he may become your enemy one day.") The prohibition against befriending the enemies of Islam is even more emphatic when they are stronger than the Muslims, crushing hopes and generating fear in the minds of people. In such a situation, only hypocrites and those in whose hearts there is a disease hasten to befriend them, giving them help today in order to benefit from them tomorrow. Allah Ta'ala describes this situation as follows: Yet thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease racing toward them (the enemies of Islam), saying, 'We are afraid that a change of fortune may befall us.' But it may be that Allah will give (thee) the victory or some decision from Himself, and then they will become regretful for what they thought secretly within themselves. (5:55 (52) ) And again, Give to the hypocrites the tidings that they will have a grievous punishment. Do those who take the unbelievers as friends instead of the Believers seek honor among them? For indeed all honor belongs to Allah alone. (4:138-139) Wasalam, Red ;) |
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