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Muslims and Friends
By Nashid Abdul-Khaaliq
To understand what the Qur’an is really saying we have to study
Arabic. In Arabic the common word for friend is "siddiq".
The Qur’an did not use that word in this verse. The word used is "Wali"
which means protecting friend or guardian. Even today the Governor of a region
in Saudi Arabia is called a "Wali".
The Qur’an is telling Muslims in this verse that they should not look to Jews
and Christians to be their protecting friends like a Wali. What is it that
Muslims should not want Christians and Jews to be protecting friends of? It is
to protect Muslim interests and Muslim understanding of Al-Islam. Why? Because
Jews and Christians do not know or are sensitive to the special interest that
Muslims have in Al-Islam. Would a Christian go to a Buddhist and say "Mr.
Buddhist here is my Bible I want you to be its guardian and protect the special
interest that the Bible has for Christians." No! That can only be done by a
fellow Christian who shares that interest.
Taking the English translation of verse 5:51 in isolation to mean that Muslims
should not be friends with Christians and Jews is wrong especially when one does
not know Arabic. Doing so is taking the message from the Qur’an totally out of
context. There are too many verses in Qur’an advocating the friendship between
righteous Christians, Jews and people of other faiths with Muslims. Here are a
few:
[60:8] G-d does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not
fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may
befriend them and be equitable towards them. G-d loves the equitable.
[60:9] G-d enjoins you only from befriending those who fight you because of
religion, evict you from your homes, and band together with others to banish
you. You shall not befriend them. Those who befriend them are the transgressors.
The Qur’an recognizes the universal goodness of all people and
religions. It also acknowledges that G-d will reward all good people for their
righteous deeds. This is shown in the following verses:
"Of the people of Moses there is a section who guide and do
justice
in the light of truth." (7:159)
"And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book, those who
believe in G-d, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to
them, bowing in humility to G-d. They will not sell the Signs of G-d
for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, and G-d
is swift in account." (3:199)
"Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the
Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers
wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst
these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the
world, and they are not arrogant." (5:82)
Along with the Qur’an there is the example of the Prophet (saaw)
which leaves no doubt about whom Muslims should befriend and what kind of
treatment should be given to non-Muslim friends. Here are some statements from
the Prophet (saaw) regarding that:
"He who believes in G-d and the Last Day should honour his
guest, should not harm his neighbour, should speak good or keep quiet." (Bukhari,
Muslim)
"Whoever hurts a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state hurts me,
and he who hurts me annoys G-d." (Bukhari)
"He who hurts a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state, I am his
adversary, and I shall be his adversary on the Day of Judgement." (Bukhari)
"Anyone who kills a Non-Muslim who had become our ally will not
smell the fragrance of Paradise." (Bukhari)
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