There is some confusion in the understanding of the Qur’anic verse, which has come about from the
translation of the term ‘waliy’ which is rendered in the translation you have quoted as “friend”. In fact the term “friend” is
inadequate as a translation of the Arabic term. The term “friend” occurs in the Qur’an in verse 61 of Surah 24, entitled,
Light. Had Allah meant that we must not take unbelievers as friends, in the strict meaning of friendship, He would have
used this particular term, sadeeq, but He has chosen to use a different term which has much wider connotations.
Translators of the Qur’an have found difficulty in rendering the meaning of the term waliy as it occurs in the verse you
have quoted and similar verses. It should be noted that in Islamic terminology, the same word is used for the person
who acts for a woman in her marriage, giving the commitment to marry her away to her prospective husband. When
the suitor accepts that commitment, the marriage is made. Such a person is normally her father, if he is alive and
sane. If not, then her grandfather, brother, uncle, or even her adult son may act for her. In such a situation, we
normally translate the term waliy as “guardian”. As for the situation of dealing with unbelievers, translators of the
Qur’an have tried to come to grips with this term by using in their translations words such as “allies, protectors,
helpers, bosom friends, etc.” One translator uses both “friends and allies” to denote the meaning. Without wishing to
comment on these translations, I can say that perhaps the word “ally” is closer to the meaning of the Arabic term.
What Allah forbids in our relations with non-believers is the forging of alliances which have far reaching commitments
that may take precedence over the implementation of certain provisions of our law. With the difference in meaning
explained, there is no question that friendship on social basis with unbelievers is acceptable, provided that these
individuals are not actively hostile to Islam or to Muslims. A clear reference to this in the Qur’an is found in verses 8
and 9 of surah 670, entitled The Examined One. These can be rendered in translation as follows : “As for such (of the
unbelievers) as do not fight against you on account of your faith, and neither drive you forth from your homelands,
Allah does not forbid you to show them kindness and to behave towards them with full equity. Indeed, Allah loves those
who act equitably. Allah only forbids you to choose for your allies those that fight against you because of your faith, and
drive you forth from your homelands, or aid others in driving you forth. Those of you who choose such people for their
allies are truly wrongdoers.” Perhaps it is important to explain that the phrase “Allah does not forbid you” which occurs
in the first of these two verses does not merely mean an absence of prohibition. It implies in this context, as
commentators on the Qur’an explain, a positive encouragement to act towards them with kindness and equity. There
are numerous Hadiths which encourage Muslims to be kind to other religious communities, especially those who
constitute minorities in the Muslim state. The strong emphasis placed on the need to behave towards them in this way
has been heeded by Muslims throughout the ages. Minorities in the Muslim state have always enjoyed a fair and kind
treatment by the Muslim majority. On the personal level, there is nothing to stop any Muslim from forging a friendship
with non-Muslims who harbor no ill intentions against Islam or its followers.
Yes, I think I explained this before to some of the Indians that on a personal level there is no need for us to be hostile to each other if we stay out of the political arguments. If the Indians are going to claim their rights over muslim land then it is our duty to stand up to them. Simple as that.
With due respect, Jawan, this is the very method adapted by the ulemas and maulvis of our time, through which they shred to pieces the concept of Islam, and then try to use each as a barometer for measuring the level of Islam in everyone else. My point is, there is so much else to Islam than things like friendship with non believers, falling in love, etc, that to be honest, following the Islamic norm in these issues wont make a dent in our faith....not unless we have everything else downright perfect. Remember the bottom lines first...the obligations, and lets perfect ourselves in those..and then lets move on. I believe Muslims can be divided into 3 categories.
1. the kind who pray regularly in the mosque, never qaza a namaz, always read Quran, fast regularly, pay zakat etc, and think it to be horrible to do anything against these obligations.
2. the kind who do all these things regularly as well, but if a friend comes over to visit them just when they were about to step out for namaz, they will sit with the friend instead....meaning, they do exercise leniency in certain situations.
3. the kind who pray on a bi-yearly basis..on eid days, and dont even know when to pray and what to pray, but are muslims nonetheless.
I think that the second category of muslims is the most endangered one, and that because of ulemas, who tighten the noose so much at times that a person with a double mindset will always take the easy way out and say that if Islam is gonna be as strict as this, I dont need it. And frankly speaking, we all have seen such people, who are good muslims on the whole, but are driven away because of some extreme remarks, and that too about some trivial issue. So i believe that bringing up such trivial issues in the religion forum only cause disharmony, and are reason to drive away certain people even further from Islam, thinking this is not what they want.
Akif I mostly agree with you i understand what you are saying...but as you it was cut and paste post soo...it was just there for knowledge purposes...people will get idea what islam says about frienship with non muslims thats all what intended to present...well there is nothing wrong with being friends with non muslims as long as you dont go out your religious circles...if you get em to become muslims thats good but these days most desis and muslims try to copy non muslims for what they do...and you know exactly what im saying here
Here are some evidences to show how a muslim should interact with a non-believer direct from the Qur~an
[at-Taubah 9:23.8]** O ye who believe! take not for protectors your fathers and your brothers if they love infidelity above Faith: if any of you do so, they do wrong.**
[Al-Imran 3:28.6]* Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from God: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But God cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to God.*
[an-Nisa' 4:140]** And indeed He has revealed to you in the Book that when you hear Allah's communications disbelieved in and mocked at do not sit with them until they enter into some other discourse; surely then you would be like them; surely Allah will gather together the hypocrites and the unbelievers all in hell.**
If Kafirs threaten and attack you, it is incumbant upon you to "kill them...".
[an-Nisa' 4:91] Ye will find others who desire that they should have security from you, and security from their own folk. So often as they are returned to hostility they are plunged therein. If they keep not aloof from you nor offer you peace nor hold their hands, then take them and kill them wherever ye find them. Against such We have given you clear warrant.
[al-Baqarah 2:191.57]** And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Inviolable Place of Worship until they first attack you there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of disbelievers.**