All the praise belongs to Allaah and may peace and blessings be upon his Messenger Muhammad ﷺ, his family, his companions, and those who follow their guidance; To proceed:
Indeed after loving Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, it is obligated upon us to love those who love Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and hate those who oppose Allah and His Messenger. ﷺ (1)
The Islaamic Belief System (‘Aqeedah) obligates every Muslim to love the people of Tawheed (2) and hate the people of Shirk. (3) This obligation comes from the creed of Ibraheem (عليه السلام), the creed we are ordered to follow. Indeed, the Glorified Allaah the Exalted said,
قَدۡ كَانَتۡ لَكُمۡ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬ فِىٓ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُ ۥۤ إِذۡ قَالُواْ لِقَوۡمِہِمۡ إِنَّا بُرَءَٲٓؤُاْ مِنكُمۡ وَمِمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَفَرۡنَا بِكُمۡ وَبَدَا بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمُ ٱلۡعَدَٲوَةُ وَٱلۡبَغۡضَآءُ أَبَدًا حَتَّىٰ تُؤۡمِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَحۡدَهُ
“There is for you an excellent example (to follow) in Ibraham and those with him, when they said to their people, “We are clear of you and of whatever you worship besides Allah. We have rejected you. And between us and you is enmity and hatred forever, unless you believe in Allah, and Him alone.” Surah Mumtahanah 60:4
Also, this obligation is from the religion (Deen) of Muhammad ﷺ . Allah the Exalted said:
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَتَّخِذُواْ ٱلۡيَہُودَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰٓ أَوۡلِيَآءَ بَعۡضُہُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءُ بَعۡضٍ۬ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمۡ فَإِنَّهُ ۥ مِنۡہُمۡۗ
“O you who believe! Do not take the Jews (Yahood) and Christians (Nasara) for friends (Awliyaa). They are Awliyaa to each other. And the one among you that turns to them is one of them.” Surah Al-Maidah 5:51
This verse forbids Muslims from taking any of the People of the Book (Ahlul-Kitaab), specifically, and any of the disbelievers (Kuffaar), generally, as a friend (Mawlaat). [The proof is] the verse,
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَتَّخِذُواْ عَدُوِّى وَعَدُوَّكُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءَ
“O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies as Awliyaa.” Surah Mumtahanah 60:1
Furthermore, Allaah forbade the believer from supporting the Kuffar, even if the Kuffar are blood relatives. Allah the Exalted said,
لَّا تَجِدُ قَوۡمً۬ا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ يُوَآدُّونَ مَنۡ حَآدَّ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ وَلَوۡ ڪَانُوٓاْ ءَابَآءَهُمۡ أَوۡ أَبۡنَآءَهُمۡ أَوۡ إِخۡوَٲنَهُمۡ أَوۡ عَشِيرَتَہُمۡۚ
“You will not find any people that believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers, sons, brothers, or relatives…” Surah Al-Mujaadilah 58:22
Until we heard some people, who claim that they know the Islaamic message (da ‘wah), on one of the Arabic radio stations say, “..the Nasara (Christians) are our brothers,” we did not realise how many people were ignorant of the principle [of Al-Walaa’ wal- Baraa ‘]. They [the people on the radio station] do not realise how dangerous their words are!
Allah the Glorified forbid Muslims from supporting the Kuffar, and the enemies of the ‘Aqeedah. The Glorified commands us to support and love the Believers.
إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤۡتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُمۡ رَٲكِعُونَ • وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فَإِنَّ حِزۡبَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلۡغَـٰلِبُونَ
“Your [real] friends are Allah, His Messenger, and the Believers,-those who establish the Salaat and pay the Zakat and bow down [submit themselves to Allah]. As for those who turn to Allah, His Messenger, and the Believers [for friendship],-it is the party of Allah that will certainly triumph.” Surah Al-Maidah 5:55
Allah the Exalted said,
مُّحَمَّدٌ۬ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّهِۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُ ۥۤ أَشِدَّآءُ عَلَى ٱلۡكُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَيۡنَہُمۡۖ
“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, and those who are with him are stern against the Kuffaar, and merciful with each other…” Surah Al-Fath 48:29 – (4)
Allah the Exalted said,
إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ إِخۡوَةٌ۬ فَأَصۡلِحُواْ بَيۡنَ أَخَوَيۡكُمۡۚ
“The Believers are a single Brotherhood, make reconciliation between your brothers..” Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:10
The Believers are brothers in the Deen and ‘Aqeedah, even though they may not be relatives, from the same country, or from the same generation. Allah the Exalted said,
وَٱلَّذِينَ جَآءُو مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَلِإِخۡوَٲنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلۡإِيمَـٰنِ وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ فِى قُلُوبِنَا غِلاًّ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ
“And those who came after them say, ‘Our Lord! forgive us, and our brothers who come before us in the faith and leave not in our hearts bad feelings of those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed the One full of kindness, the One Who treats gently whoever You are kind with .” Surah Al-Hashr 59:10
So, the Believers, from the initial generation of mankind to the last, are brothers. The last follow the first and they ask Allaah’s forgiveness for each other.
FIRST: Indications Of Taking The Kuffar As
1 – Imitating them in dress and speech and other matters…
Imitating them in dress and speech indicates loving them, and because imitation leads to love, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
Allah forbids imitating the Kuffar in their worship, traditions, and things special to them. We should not imitate them in their appearance and morals. Also, we should not speak their language, except when necessary, and we should not adopt their way of dressing and eating.
2 – Residence in their lands and not moving from their lands to the lands of the Muslims to save one’s Deen. …
Hijrah, according to this meaning, is an obligation upon every Muslim. Residence in the land of the Kuffar indicates friendship with them. Allaah forbade the Muslims from residing in the lands of the Kuffar, if they are able to make Hijrah. Allah the Exalted said:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَفَّٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ظَالِمِىٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ قَالُواْ فِيمَ كُنتُمۡۖ قَالُواْ كُنَّا مُسۡتَضۡعَفِينَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ قَالُوٓاْ أَلَمۡ تَكُنۡ أَرۡضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٲسِعَةً۬ فَتُہَاجِرُواْ فِيہَاۚ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ مَأۡوَٮٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَسَآءَتۡ مَصِيرًا • إِلَّا ٱلۡمُسۡتَضۡعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلۡوِلۡدَٲنِ لَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً۬ وَلَا يَہۡتَدُونَ سَبِيلاً۬ • فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَعۡفُوَ عَنۡہُمۡۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورً۬ا
“When angels take the souls of those who die while they have wronged their souls, they say, ‘ln what [state] were you?’ They reply: ‘We were weak and oppressed in the earth.’ [The Angels] say: “Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away [from evil]?’ Such men will find their abode in Hell, what an evil refuge! Except those who are [really] weak and oppressed: men, women, and children who have no means in their power, nor can they find a way [to escape]. For these, there is hope that Allah will forgive, because Allah blots out [sins] and forgives again and again.” Surah An-Nisaa 4:97-99
The Islamic Law (Sharee’ah) permits people to reside in the lands of the Kuffar for a religious benefit such as spreading dawah and propagating Islam.
3 – Travelling to the lands of the Kuffar for tourism and vacation…
The Sharee’ah forbids travelling to the land of the Kuffar, except for medical treatment, trading, and education that is only available in their land. When the necessity has finished, then one must return, immediately, to the land of the Muslims. Those whom the Sharee ‘ah permits to go to the land of the Kuffaar must manifest their Deen, be away from the evil places, and be cautious of the plotting of the enemies of Allah.
4 – Helping them, giving them victory over the Muslims, speaking well of them and defending their honour…
These are some of the actions that negate a person’s Islaam and a cause of apostasy. We seek refuge in Allah from that!
5 – Seeking their aid, trusting them, putting them in positions to know the secrets of the Muslims and making them advisors…
Allah the Exalted said,
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَتَّخِذُواْ بِطَانَةً۬ مِّن دُونِكُمۡ لَا يَأۡلُونَكُمۡ خَبَالاً۬ وَدُّواْ مَا عَنِتُّمۡ قَدۡ بَدَتِ ٱلۡبَغۡضَآءُ مِنۡ أَفۡوَٲهِهِمۡ وَمَا تُخۡفِى صُدُورُهُمۡ أَكۡبَرُۚ قَدۡ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِۖ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ • هَـٰٓأَنتُمۡ أُوْلَآءِ تُحِبُّونَہُمۡ وَلَا يُحِبُّونَكُمۡ وَتُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ كُلِّهِۦ وَإِذَا لَقُوكُمۡ قَالُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوۡاْ عَضُّواْ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡأَنَامِلَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَيۡظِۚ قُلۡ مُوتُواْ بِغَيۡظِكُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ • إِن تَمۡسَسۡكُمۡ حَسَنَةٌ۬ تَسُؤۡهُمۡ وَإِن تُصِبۡكُمۡ سَيِّئَةٌ۬ يَفۡرَحُواْ بِهَاۖ
“O you who believe! Do not take into your intimacy those outside your ranks. They will not fail to corrupt you. They only desire for you to suffer. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their hearts conceal is far worse. We have made plain to you the Signs, if you have wisdom. Ah! you are those who love them, but they do not love you, though you believe in the whole of the Book. When they meet you, they say, “We believe,’ but when they are alone, out of frustration and rage, they bite off the tips of their fingers because of you. Say: “Perish in your frustration rage. Allaah knows well all of the secrets of the heart.’ If anything that is good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some misfortune overtakes you, they rejoice at it…” Surah Al-Imraan 3:118-120
The above verses show what is [really] in the hearts of the Kuffaar about the Muslims, such as hatred, betrayal, evil plotting, and the love for harm to affect them. They want harm to reach them by any means. They use the trust of the Muslims to plot against them. Imam Ahmad narrated :
عن أبي موسى الأشعري -قال: قلتُ لعمرَ :لي كاتبٌ نصرانيٌ ،قال: مالَكَ قاتلَكَ اللهُ ، أما سمعتَ قولَه تعالى ( يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى أَوْلِيَاءَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ).(المائدة:51).ألا اتخذتَ حنيفاً ! قلتُ: يا أميرَ المؤمنينَ لي كتابتُه وله دينُه ، قال:لا أُكرمُهم إذ أهانَهم اللهُ ، ولا أُعزُهم إذ أَذلَهم اللهُ ، ولا أُدينهم وقد أقصاهم اللهُ
Abu Moosa Al-Ash’aari (رضي الله عنه) said, “I said to ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه ): I have a Christian (Nasrani) clerk [employee]. He [‘Umar] said: Why? May Allah fight you! Didn’t you hear the saying of Allah, the Exalted, ‘O you who believe! Do not take the Yahood and the Nasaara for Awliya. They are Awliyaa to each other…’ Why don’t you employ a Hanifan [a Muslim] [as your clerk].’ He [Abu Moosa] said, “Oh Ameerul-Mu’minoon, for me is what he writes for me and to him is his Deen.’ He [‘Umar] said, “How can I honour them when Allah has humiliated them and how can I bring them near to me when Allah has made them far [from me].”‘
وروي الإمام أحمد ومسلم أن النبي خَرَج إلى بَدْرٍ فَتَبِعَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ المشركين فَلحِقَه عند الحَرةِ فقال: إِني أَردتُ أنْ ِأَتَّبِعَكَ وَأُصِيبَ مَعَكَ، قَالَ تُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ قَالَ لا ، قَالَ : ارْجِعْ فَلَنْ أَسْتَعِينَ بِمُشْرِكٍ )
Imam Ahmad and Muslim narrated that when the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ went to the Battle of Badr, one of the pagans followed him until he caught up to him at a place called Al- Harra The pagan said, “I wanted to fight with you so that you can give me some of the booty from the war.” He ﷺ said, ‘Do you believe in Allah and His Messenger?’ He [the pagan] said, ‘No.’ He ﷺ said, ‘I will never seek help from a pagan!’
The above proofs from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbid us from allowing the pagans to be in positions where they can know the secrets of the Muslims. An example of this nowadays is when a Muslim government brought the Kuffar to their land as labourers, drivers, maids, and babysitters. Their bringing these Kuffar to their land resulted in them mixing with the Muslims.
6 – Using their calendar instead of the Islaamic calendar and, more importantly, observing the holidays on their calendar, like Christmas their holidays, like the birthday of the Messiah (عليه السلام), are not even from their Deen, but rather they are holidays that they innovated in their Deen. So, using their calendar means that we share their holidays, even though these holidays are not from the Deen of the Messiah (عليه السلام).
To be safe from falling into sharing their holidays, in the Caliphate of ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه), the Sahaabah (رضی اللہ عنھم ) made their own calendar. They made this calendar starting from the date of the Hijrah of the Messenger (ﷺ) from Makkah to Madeenah. This precedent that was established by the Sahaabah (رضی اللہ عنھم) shows us that we should not use the calendars of the Kuffar or other similar things that belong to them. And Allah is the Best to give help.
7 – Observing their holidays or helping them to make that celebration or congratulating them for their holidays or just being present at their celebrations…
The scholars say about the verse, وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشۡهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ
“Those who witness no falsehood…”, Surah Al-Furqan 25:72
that the description of the worshippers of the Most Merciful is that they do not gather at the celebrations of the Kuffar.
8 – Speaking well of them through what they have of material wealth and being satisfied with their behaviour without looking at their Deen which is a false Deen..
Allah the Exalted said:
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيۡنَيۡكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعۡنَا بِهِۦۤ أَزۡوَٲجً۬ا مِّنۡہُمۡ زَهۡرَةَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا لِنَفۡتِنَہُمۡ فِيهِۚ وَرِزۡقُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ وَأَبۡقَىٰ
“Nor strain your eyes [O Muhammad] in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to parties of them- the splendor of the life of this world -through which We test them. But the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting.” Surah Ta-Ha 20″131
This verse does not mean that the Muslims should not acquire the means to be strong, like manufacturing and other things that make the economy and land strong. Nor does this verse mean that we should not learn military tactics, but rather, we are required to acquire all of these things. Allah the Exalted said,
وَأَعِدُّواْ لَهُم مَّا ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ۬ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ ٱلۡخَيۡلِ تُرۡهِبُونَ بِهِ
“Against them, prepare your strength to the utmost of your power to strike fear…” Surah Anfal 8:60
The high standard of living originally belongs to the Muslims. Allah the Exalted said,
قُلۡ مَنۡ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَخۡرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ وَٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ مِنَ ٱلرِّزۡقِۚ
“Say, ‘Who has forbidden the beautiful [gifts] of Allah, which He has produced for His servants, and the things clean and pure which He has provided” Surah Al-Araaf 7:32
Also, Allah the Exalted said,
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ جَمِيعً۬ا مِّنۡهُۚ
“And He has subjected to you [as a favour from Him] all that is in the heavens and on the earth…” Surah Al-Jathiyah 45:13
It is upon the Muslims to surpass the Kuffar in technological advancements, so they don’t beg the Kuffar to obtain it, rather they should have Factories of their own.
9 – Using their names...
Some of the Muslims give their children names different from the names of their mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, communities, and tribes. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, خَيْرُ الْأَسْمَاءِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ
“The best names are ‘Abdur-Rahman and ‘Abdullaah.”
As a result of not using Muslim names in the past, many Muslims now have strange names. Naming their children with foreign names has caused a generation gap between this generation and the last that splits families in two, with respect to the name: those with the traditional Muslim names and those with foreign names.
10 – Supplicating for them and being compassionate to them…
Allaah forbade these actions by His statement,
مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَن يَسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ لِلۡمُشۡرِڪِينَ وَلَوۡ ڪَانُوٓاْ أُوْلِى قُرۡبَىٰ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمۡ أَنَّہُمۡ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ
“It is not fitting for the Messenger of Allaah and those who believe that they should ask forgiveness for Pagans, even though they are relatives, after it is clear to them that they are companions of the Fire [Jaheem].” Surah Tawbah 9:113
Supplicating and having compassion for them causes us to love them and their [disgusting] practices. (5)
SECOND: The Outward Manifestations Of Taking The Believers as Mawlaat.
1 – Hijrah from the lands of the Kuffar to the lands of the Muslims…
Hijrah means to move from the land of the Kuffaar to the land of the Muslims for the sake of saving one’s Deen. Hijrah, with this meaning, is obligatory upon the Muslims until the sun rises from the west before the establishment of Judgement Day. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said that he is free from the
Muslim who lives among pagans. If a Muslim can move from the lands of the Kuffaar, then Allaah forbids him to stay in those lands. He may stay, if he gives da ‘wah and propagates Islaam, and shows his Deen openly. Allah the Exalted said,
“When angels take the souls of those who die while they have wronged their souls, they say, ‘In what [state] were you?’ They reply: ‘We were weak and oppressed in the earth.’ [The Angels] say: ‘Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away [from evil]?’ Such men will find their abode in Hell, what an evil refuge! Except those who are [really] weak and oppressed: men, women, and children who have no means in their power, nor can they find a way [to escape]. For these, there is hope that Allah will forgive, because Allah blots out children who have no means in their power, nor can they find a way [to escape]. For these, there is hope that Allah will forgive, because Allah blots out [sins] and forgives again and again.” Surah An-Nisaa 4:97-99
2 – Helping the Muslims with money, body, and tongue in what they need in their Deen and material life…
Allah the Exalted said,
وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءُ بَعۡضٍ۬ۚ
“The believers, men and women, are supporters of one another” Surah At-Tawbah 9:71
وَإِنِ ٱسۡتَنصَرُوكُمۡ فِى ٱلدِّينِ فَعَلَيۡڪُمُ ٱلنَّصۡرُ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ قَوۡمِۭ بَيۡنَكُمۡ وَبَيۡنَہُم مِّيثَـٰقٌ۬ۗ وَٱللَّهُ
“…but if they seek your aid in Deen, it is your duty to help them, except against a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance…” Surah Al-Anfal 8:72
3 – Feeling sympathy for the Muslims whenever harm comes to them and feeling happy when good comes to them…
The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said,
مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ وَتَعَاطُفِهِمْ مَثَلُ الْجَسَدِ إِذَا اشْتَكَى مِنْهُ عُضْوٌ تَدَاعَى لَهُ سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ بالْحُمَّى والسَّهَرِ
“The example of the Muslims is like a body, if one part of it gets hurt, then all of the body shares that hurt [like a body stricken] with a fever and no sleeping.”
الْمُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ كَالْبُنْيَانِ يَشُدُّ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضاً وَشَبَّكَ بَيْنَ أَصَابِعِهِ
“The Believer to another Believer is like a building [or structure]. [He then brought his hands together with his fingers intertwined.]”
Allah the exalted said:
“The Believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another,”
4 – Advising and counselling the Muslims, always loving good things to happen to them, not cheating them, tricking them or going behind their back…
He ﷺ said
“لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ”.
“No one of you has Eemaan until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself,” and,
الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَحْقِرُهُ وَلَا يَخْذُلُهُ ولايُسْلِمُهُ ، بِحَسْبِ امْرِئٍ مِنْ الشَّرِّ أَنْ يَحْقِرَ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ ، كُلُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ حَرَامٌ دَمُهُ وَمَالُهُ وَعِرْضُهُ
“A Muslim doesn’t betray his brother Muslim nor does he go behind his back,”All of a Muslim’s blood, property, wealth, and family is sacred to another Muslim.”
لا تَبَاغَضُوا وَلا تَدَابَرُوا وَلا تَنَاجَشُوا ولايَبعْ بَعضُكُمْ عَلى بَيعِ بعضٍ وَكُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ إخوانَاً
“Do not hate each other, do not backbite each other, (..), and do not out price each other, but rather be worshippers of Allah and brothers.”
5 – Being respectful to them, not humiliating them or speaking evil about them..
Allah the Exalted said,
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا يَسۡخَرۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مِّن قَوۡمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُواْ خَيۡرً۬ا مِّنۡہُمۡ وَلَا نِسَآءٌ۬ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيۡرً۬ا مِّنۡہُنَّۖ وَلَا تَلۡمِزُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَلَا تَنَابَزُواْ بِٱلۡأَلۡقَـٰبِۖ بِئۡسَ ٱلِٱسۡمُ ٱلۡفُسُوقُ بَعۡدَ ٱلۡإِيمَـٰنِۚ وَمَن لَّمۡ يَتُبۡ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱجۡتَنِبُواْ كَثِيرً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعۡضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثۡمٌ۬ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُواْ وَلَا يَغۡتَب بَّعۡضُكُم بَعۡضًاۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُڪُمۡ أَن يَأۡڪُلَ لَحۡمَ أَخِيهِ مَيۡتً۬ا فَكَرِهۡتُمُوهُۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬
“O you believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others- it may be that the [latter] are better than the [former] -, nor defame each other, nor call each other by [offensive] nicknames- ill-seeming is a name [to be used to describe one] connoting wickedness after he has believed. Those who do not desist are [indeed] doing wrong. O you who believe! Avoid suspicion, because suspicion in some cases is a sin. Spy not on each other, nor backbite each other. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would hate it! So, fear Allah, because Allah is Oft- Returning, the One Who treats gently whoever He is kind with.” Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:11-12
6-To be with them in times of prosperity and hardship…
This is the opposite of the hypocrites because they are with the believers when times are easy and desert them when times are hard. Allah the Exalted said,
ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَرَبَّصُونَ بِكُمۡ فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمۡ فَتۡحٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ قَالُوٓاْ أَلَمۡ نَكُن مَّعَكُمۡ وَإِن كَانَ لِلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ نَصِيبٌ۬ قَالُوٓاْ أَلَمۡ نَسۡتَحۡوِذۡ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَنَمۡنَعۡكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَۚ
“(The Hypocrites are) those who wait and watch you. If you gain a victory from Allah, they say, “Were we not with you?’ But if the disbelievers gain a success, they say [to the disbelievers], “Did we not gain an advantage for you. And did we not guard you from the Believers?’…” Surah An-Nisaa 4:141
7 – Visiting and loving to meet them…
“Indeed Allaah said, “My love is written for those who visit for My sake.'” Hadith Qudsi
وَجَبَتْ مَحَبَّتِي للْمُتَزَاوِرِينَ فِيَّ
In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ says,
أَنَّ رَجُلاً زَارَ أَخاً لَهُ فِي اللهِ فَأَرْصَدَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عَلَى مَدْرَجَتِهِ مَلَكاً فسأله أَيْنَ تُرِيدُ ؟ قَالَ: أزورُ أَخاً لِي فِي اللهِ، قَالَ هَلْ لَكَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ تَرُبُّهَا قَالَ: لَا ، غَيْرَ أَنِّي أَحْبَبْتُهُ فِي اللَّهِ قَالَ: فَإِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَبَّكَ كَمَا أَحْبَبْتَهُ فِيهِ
“A man was going to visit his Muslim brother. Allaah then sent an angel to him. The angel asked him where he was going. He said, “To visit my Muslim brother.’ He [the angel] said, “Are you visiting him for a gain?’ He [the man] said, ‘No. I love him for the sake of Allah.’ He [the angel] said, “I am a messenger from Allaah informing you that Allaah loves you because you loved him [your Muslim brother] for His sake.'”
8 – Respecting their rights…
You should not out-purchase your brother Muslim. If a brother Muslim’s sheep is eating from the grass, you should not bring your sheep to eat upon that same grass. Also, you should not make an (marriage) engagement over another brother Muslim. The Messenger of Allaahﷺ said,
“You shouldn’t graze sheep where other sheep are grazed.”
ألالايَبعْ الرَّجُلُ عَلَى بَيْعِ أَخِيهِ وَلَا يَخْطُبُ عَلَى خِطبَتِهِ
“You should not bid over your brother’s bid and get engaged to who he is engaged to.”
لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَمْ يُوَقِّرْ كَبِيرَنَا وَيَرْحَمْ صَغِيرَنَا
“He is not one of us who is not respectful to our elders and kind to the children.”
هل تُنْصَرُونَ وتُرْزَقُونَ إلابِضُعَفَائِكُمْ
“Do you get victory and provisions except by your weak people?”
Allah the Exalted said,
وَٱصۡبِرۡ نَفۡسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ رَبَّہُم بِٱلۡغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلۡعَشِىِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجۡهَهُ ۥۖ وَلَا تَعۡدُ عَيۡنَاكَ عَنۡہُمۡ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ
“And keep yourself content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life…”
10 – Making supplication for them and asking forgiveness for them…
Allah the Exalted said,
وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِۗ
“And ask forgiveness for your fault, and for the believing men and women…” Surah Muhammad 47:19
رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَلِإِخۡوَٲنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلۡإِيمَـٰنِ
“And those who came after them say: ‘Our Lord! forgive us, and our brethren who came before us into the Faith…” Surah Al-Hashr 59:10
Note Allah the Exalted said,
لَّا يَنۡهَٮٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمۡ يُقَـٰتِلُوكُمۡ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمۡ يُخۡرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَـٰرِكُمۡ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمۡ وَتُقۡسِطُوٓاْ إِلَيۡہِمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُقۡسِطِينَ
“Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not because of [your] Deen or drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, because Allah loves those who are just.” Surah Al-Mumthanaah 60:8
This means that the Muslims should treat those Kuffaar who do not fight or hate the Muslims and do not drive the Muslims out of their homes, in the life of this world, with justice and kindness, without having love for them in their hearts. Allah the Exalted said, “…from dealing kindly and justly with them…” He did not say befriend or love them. Similarly, Allah the Exalted said for disbelieving parents that we should be good to them,
وَإِن جَـٰهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُشۡرِكَ بِى مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌ۬ فَلَا تُطِعۡهُمَاۖ وَصَاحِبۡهُمَا فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَا مَعۡرُوفً۬اۖ
“But if they strive to make you join in worship with Me, things of which you have no knowledge, obey them not. But give them company in this life with justice [and consideration], and follow the way of those who turn to Me…” Surah Luqman 31:15
The mother of Asmaa (رضي الله عنه) came to her seeking her to visit her [or, wondering why her daughter never visited her], then Asmaa (رضي الله عنه) sought permission from the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ to do that and he said, “Visit your mother.” Allah the Exalted said,
“You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers, visitation and equal treatment [in this worldly life] is different from love and [close] friendship. Communication and good treatment encourages the disbeliever to become a Muslim, so these things are really like da’wah. However, loving the disbeliever (Kaafir) makes him feel good about what he believes and makes him not to want to become a Muslim.
The prohibition of loving the Kuffar does not mean that the interaction that is involved in trading and having commerce with them is prohibited. The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) hired Ibn Ariqat al-Laythi as a guide [during the Hijrah} and he was not a Muslim. He ﷺ borrowed money from a Jew. We are not allowed to love them because of this interaction because we are obligated to love the Muslims and hate the Kuffar. Allah the Exalted said,
“Those who believed, those who migrated to Madeenah with the Messenger of Allah (Muhaajir On) who fought for the Deen with their property and persons in the cause of Allah, as well as those who sheltered and aided them (Ansaar)- these are friends and protectors, one of another…” up to the saying of Allah the Exalted, “The disbelievers are protectors, one of another and unless you do this
With the Messenger Of Allah ﷺ [protect each other], there will be tumult and oppression on earth, and great mischief.”
Al-Haafidth Ibn Katheer said about the saying [of Allah the Exalted], “…Unless you do this [protect each other], there will be tumult and oppression on earth, and great mischief,” means that if [the Muslims] do not hate the pagans and love the Believers, then fitnah will appear. This fitnah is that things will be mixed, and the Believers will be mixed with the disbelievers. (The author said that) this is what is happening now. And Allah is the Best to Help.
The Categories Of People Who Deserve Al-Walaa and AI-Baraa And these people are of three categories…
The First: The people we should love purely with no intention of being an enemy to them…
These people are the Believers: the Prophets, the Truthful, the Witnesses and the Righteous. At the front of these people is the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), who we have to love more than ourselves, our sons, our fathers, and all of the people.
The next Believers are the Messenger of Allah’s wives, [who are known as] the Mothers of the Believers, and his (ﷺ) family and friends, especially the Rightly Guided Rulers (6) and the Ten, (7) then the Emigrants (Muhajiroon) and Supporters (Ansaar), the people who fought with them in the Battle of Badr, those present at the Bayat al-Ridwaan (8) and the rest of the Companions (رضي الله عنه).
Then we must love the followers of the Companions (Tabi-een) and the best of those who succeeded them, and then the best of the rest of predecessors (Salaf} of this Islaamic Community (Ummah)
Allah the Exalted said:
وَٱلَّذِينَ جَآءُو مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَلِإِخۡوَٲنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلۡإِيمَـٰنِ وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ فِى قُلُوبِنَا غِلاًّ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ
“And those who came after them say: ‘Our Lord! Forgive us, and our brethren who came before us into the Faith and leave not, in our hearts, rancour(or sense of injury) against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed Full of Kindness, the One Who treats gently whoever You are kind with.” Surah Al-Hashr 59:10
Moreover, we are not to hate the companions (Sahabah) and the pious predecessors (Salaf) of this nation (Ummah) who demonstrated that they have faith in their hearts. Those who hate them are the people of deviation and the hypocrites and the enemies of Islaam like the Raafidah (9) and the Khawaarij. (10) We ask Allah to obliterate them.
The Second: The people we should hate and take as enemies with no love or support and respect to them…
These are the Kuffaar, the Pagans, the Hypocrites, the Apostates, and the Heretics regardless of their different nationalities. Allah the Exalted said,
لَّا تَجِدُ قَوۡمً۬ا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ يُوَآدُّونَ مَنۡ حَآدَّ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ وَلَوۡ ڪَانُوٓاْ ءَابَآءَهُمۡ أَوۡ أَبۡنَآءَهُمۡ أَوۡ إِخۡوَٲنَهُمۡ أَوۡ عَشِيرَتَہُمۡۚ
“You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers, sons, brothers, or relatives.” Surah Al-Mujaadillah 58:22
Also, Allah the Exalted said about the Children of Israel,
وَلَوۡ ڪَانُواْ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلنَّبِىِّ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡهِ مَا ٱتَّخَذُوهُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ڪَثِيرً۬ا مِّنۡہُمۡ فَـٰسِقُونَ
If only they had believed in Allah, in the Messenger of Allah, and in what is revealed to him. Never would they have taken them for friends and protectors, but most of them are rebellious wrongdoers. Surah Al-Maidah 5:81
The one who wants more of the worldly things and is not satisfied with what he has, even if he was an ally of Allaah and His Messenger ﷺ ,
‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنه) said,
“Whoever loves for Allaah’s sake and hates for Allaah’s sake and withholds for Allaah’s sake, Allah is an ally to him. However, most people in this world befriend others for the worldly life which is nothing compared to the Hereafter”
The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said,
مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ
“Allaah said, “Whoever is an enemy to My ally, I start him with war.'”
Most of the people who wage war against Allah act unjustly towards and are at odds with the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. They curse and lie against them and act vindictively towards them and hate them. He ﷺ said,
اللَّهَ اللَّهَ فِي أَصْحَابِي لَا تَتَّخِذُوهُمْ غَرَضاً ، فمَنْ آذَاهُمْ فَقَدْ آذَانِي وَمَنْ آذَانِي فَقَدْ آذَى اللَّهَ وَمَنْ آذَى اللَّهَ يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَهُ
“Whoever bothers my Sahabah bothers me and who bothers me bothers Allaah and makes Him near to taking his soul.”
The Third: The people who we should love for their particular (good) deeds and hate for their other (evil) deeds…
This category of people, we love and hate at the same time because of the deeds that they do. These are Muslims who commit sins and do not practise Islaam well. We love them for the Eemaan they have but we hate them for their sins, which should be less than disbelief (kufr) and shirk. (11) Because we love them, we should find a way to advise and warn them against the evil that they do. We should command them to do what is righteous and good and forbid them from doing what is evil and hated. We can punish them for the evil that they do that affects the society, so that the people of the society are protected from this evil. And also we punish them to give them an opportunity to repent. But, we should not purely hate them or reject them like the Khawaarij, who consider people to be disbelievers if they commit an act of disobedience to Allah, major or minor. Nor should we completely love them and treat them as sincere believers as the Murji ‘ah do. Rather, we should take a position towards this category of people in between these two [i.e. the positions of the Khawaarij and Murji’ah]. (12)
This is the way of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama ‘ah.
Loving and hating for the sake of Allah is one of the major pillars of Eemaan. Consequently, in the Hereafter, people will be with the ones who they loved in this life, as mentioned in the hadith. Unfortunately, now the situation has changed. The people love each other for the sake of worldly life and seek to gain benefit, even though the one that is loved is an enemy of Allah, His Messenger, and the Deen of the Muslims. I seek refuge with Allah from His anger and His punishment and we ask Him for forgiveness and good health. And may salutation, blessings, and security of Allaah be on Muhammad, his family and Companions.
Abridged from AL-WALA WAL-BARA – ALLIANCE AND DISAVOWAL (SHAYKH FAWZAAN) الولاء والبراء في الإسلام للشيخ الفوزان
(1) Sheikh Hameed ibn Ateeq said : “In the Book of Allah (Quran) there is no ruling more apparent and significant than the ruling of Al-Walaa Wal-Baraa, after the requirement of Tawhid and the prohibition of its opposite.”
(2) Tawheed means: (1) to single out Allah as the only Lord; (2) to single out Allah as the only one to worship; and (3) to single out Allaah as the only One possessing the names and qualities with which He described Himself in the Quran and the Sunnah.
(3) Shirk means: (1) to attribute the qualities of Lordship to Allaah’s creatures; (2) to direct worship to other than Allah; and (3) to attribute Allaah’s perfect names and attributes to His creatures.
(4)
مُّحَمَّدٌ۬ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّهِۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُ ۥۤ أَشِدَّآءُ عَلَى ٱلۡكُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَيۡنَہُمۡ
“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, and those who are with him are stern against the Kuffaar, and merciful with each other.
Opposite Understanding : those who are not merciful with the Believers are not really with Muhammad ﷺ , the Messenger of Allaah
(5) We are permitted to pray to Allah to guide the Kuffar to Islaam, just as the Prophet prayed to Allah to guide ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) to Islaam.
(6) Abu Bakr Siddiq, ‘Umar bin Khataab, ‘Uthmaan bin Affan, and ‘Ali bin Abi Taalib (رضي الله عنه)
(7) Abu Dawud narrates that ‘Abdur -Rahmaan bin al -Akhnas said that when he was in the masjid, a man mentioned Ali رضي الله عنه). So Sa’eed bin Zaid got up and said, “I bear witness to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that I heard him, Ten persons will go to Paradise: the Prophet ﷺ will go to Paradise, Abu Bakr will go to Paradise, ‘Umar will go to Paradise, ‘Uthman will go to Paradise, ‘Ali will go to Paradise, Az-Zubair bin Awwam will go to Paradise, Sa’d [bin Abi Waqqas] bin Maalik will go to Paradise, and ‘Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Awf will go to Paradise. If I wish, I can mention the tenth.’ The people asked, ‘Who is he?’ So he kept silent. They again asked, ‘Who is he?’ He replied, ‘He is Sa’eed bin Zaid.'”
(8) There were approximately 1400 Companions (radhiAllahu ‘anhum ajmaeen) who took the Baya’ (oath) to the Prophet ﷺ This occured in the 6th year after the Hijrah (from Makkah to Madeenah). The Prophet ﷺ sent ‘Uthmaan (رضي الله عنه) as an ambassador to the pagan Quraysh tribe to call them to Islaam and to inform them the Prophet is coming to Makkah with the intention to perform religious duties and not with the intention of fighting. A rumour got back to the Prophet (ﷺ) that ‘Uthmaan was executed by the pagans of the Quraysh. The Prophet (ﷺ) took the Oath from the Companions that they would not flee from him and be ready to face the Kuffar of Quraish.. And the Companions made this Oath to the Prophet under the Hudaybiyah tree. Following this Oath and the encounter with the pagans in Makkah the Prophet (ﷺ) made a peace treaty with them which is known as the Treaty at Hudaybiyah.
(9) “Another name for the Shi’ah. They curse the Companions and impute disbelief to them, while Allah is pleased with them, and the Prophet refers to them as the best of mankind [after the Prophets and Messengers of Allah].
(10) A group of people who believe that the Qur’an is the only source of judgement. They consider people who commit major sins to be outside of the fold of Islaam. They kill the people of Islaam and leave alone the people of Kufr. The Prophet foretold about them. He said that if he were there when they appeared, he would destroy them just like ‘Aad and Thamud were destroyed. He also said that they go in and out of Islaam just like the arrow through the game, but [in their case] the arrow leaves no traces. They get nothing from Islaam. They appeared at the Caliphate of ‘Ali and ‘Ali destroyed many of them in a battle. The root of their deviation, as one scholar put it, is ignorance of the Deen of Allah and harshness. In Imaam Muslim’s Saheeh, he devotes a whole section to the Khawaarij.
(11) Innovators are included within these people that don’t have Biddah Mukafirrah that takes them out of the fold of Islam.
(12) A group of people who believe that no sin can harm a person as long as he has Eemaan, and no obedience can help a person as long as he has Kufr. They divorce faith from action while Allaah the Glorified joins them throughout His Book by the phrase those who believe and do righteous action. They are of varying degrees in this false belief. Ahlus-Sunnah Wal- Jama ‘ah considers faith to be directly related to righteous action. Evil actions decrease one’s faith and righteous actions increase one’s faith. Further, the people of faith (the Muslims) are of different degrees with respect to faith, some at higher degrees than others.
Ahlul-Hadith 