The e-magazine of Witness-Pioneer
Volume 3 Issue 2 May-June 2003

Friendship with Non-Muslims
Shahera Hossain


As regards relations with non-Muslims who are not hostile (man hadda as mentioned in verse 58:22 of the Qur'an) to Islam, the Qur'an explicitly permits and implicitly ordains in many places (for example, in verses 60:8-9) kindness and friendliness towards them, as is shown by our Holy Prophet's own example (Asad, 58:22, note 29). This is the general rule about how Muslims should form relationships with non-Muslim. A Muslim should treat them with justice, compassion and the utmost kindness - the term Bir mentioned in verse 60:8 signifies the kind of compassion that one should show to one's parents (Badawi). But the exception is for those who 'harbour hatred or indeed fight against Muslims simply because of their belief; seek to drive Muslims out of their homes or help others in their aggression against Muslims' (60:9).

In verse 3:118, Allah says, 'O you who have attained to faith! Do not take for your bosom-friends people who are not of your kind.' Some people incline to the view that this ruling includes all non-Muslims. But this viewpoint obviously conflicts with the general attitudes of Islam apropos relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims, as the verses 60:8-9 (mentioned above) show. In explaining the Qur'anic clause 'who are not of your kind', Asad says this refers to the 'people whose enmity to Islam and its followers has become apparent from their behaviour and their utterances (Tabari).' So their outlook on life is so fundamentally opposed to that of the Muslims that genuine friendship is entirely out of the question (Asad, 3:118, note 87). Moreover, the contextual actualities of verse 3:118 should be considered, which was not a normal situation.

In other verses, Allah warns us not to take 'Jews and Christians' for our 'friends and protectors (or allies)', as 'they are but allies of one another' (5:51, 8:73). Abdullah Yusuf Ali explains that they are more likely to combine against Muslims than to help them. And this happened more than once in the lifetime of the Prophet and in the after-ages again and again. Also in the verse 57 of chapter 5, Allah alerts, 'Take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport.'

Regarding Qur'anic advice in 5:54-55 against befriending Jews and Christians, Jamal Badawi says, 'Closer analysis … in its context reveals that it was revealed at a time when some hypocritical Muslims were befriending and taking, as allies and protectors, them who were opposing the Muslim community. The verse simply warns Muslims not to count on Jews and Christians as protecting friends when in fact they are secretly plotting against the Muslims. This verse can't be applied individually to every single Jew or Christian in all ages and places.' Islam has shown us practical examples of peaceful co-existence with non-Muslims.

So who will be the real friends for Muslims? Allah guides us in 5:55, 'Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, His Messenger, and the (Fellowship of) Believers - those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship).'


Bibliography:

Asad, Mohammad; The Message of The Quran; Dar al-Andalus Ltd., 3 Library Ramp,
Gibraltar, 1980
Ali, Abdullah Yusuf; The Meaning of The Holy Quran, Amana Publications, USA,
7th edition, 1995
Badawi, Jamal; Islamic Teachings Course, Vol. 1, Series no. B-9, Islamia Schools
Trust, UK [date of publication not provided]