Dawah (Outreach) FAQs & Fatwas Hot Topics

Can Muslims be Friends with non-Muslims?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66327170@N07/7315517366/A while back I visited the clubhouse of my apartment complex. While in the lobby, I noticed some young Arab-American brothers going into the pool area. So I looked out there and saw a whole group of guys with their hookahs, “chillin’” with the ladies in their bikinis, and other guys with their beer! Frustrated, I sought forgiveness from such a sight and looked away. But lo and behold! As I walked out, I noticed a good brother I knew from the Mosque on his way in to the pool party. So I stopped and greeted him, asking how he was doing. He said, “I am going to meet some people out back… and uh… don’t worry they’re Muslims!” So then I smiled and told him I was pretty sure what was going on in there had little to do with Islam, and to be careful. He responded, “Don’t worry, we don’t drink!” So I advised him as a Muslim he should hang out in a better environment and try and make better friends. He smiled and agreed. “Okay, Imam, insha’Allah (God willing),” he said, and then went ahead to the pool party.

As we said in the last article, there are good and bad people from all countries and cultures. Sure these brothers speak colloquial Arabic, they call themselves “Muslims”, they would kiss the Qur’an and swear by Allah, but if I had the choice for my son, I would rather he hung out with more morally observant non-Muslims. Obviously the best company for any Muslim would be other devout Muslims who encourage each other to achieve piety, always hoping to follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ (peace be upon him).

That being said, the question has been brought up: can a Muslim be friends with a non-Muslim? When I embraced Islam, I remember reading translations of the Qur’an and hearing people say that having a non-Muslim friend is prohibited in Islam! I am sure we have all heard “religious” Muslims repeat the claim. Is Islam some exclusivist religion, or is it Divine Mercy for the world?

Some scholars have interpreted some verses of the Qur’an to give this meaning. These scholars generally come from and live in Muslim countries that have only a very small non-Muslim minority, if any. My biggest concern is that linguistically, and according to the commentary of the early scholars, these verses are better understood to mean not friends in the personal sense, but political allies or guardians from those who have an agenda against Muslims. Every single verse that seems to give that meaning was revealed in Medina, when Muslims were being constantly plotted against by non-Muslims and Hypocrites, who claimed Islam outwardly, yet secretly worked with the plotting disbelievers against the Muslims.

Why pick the harshest, most alienating and decontextualized understanding of a verse and pass that on in a general fatwa (legal verdict given on a religious basis), to be copied and pasted all over the Internet? And after that major error in scholarship, why do translators of the Qur’an pick that harsh and flawed interpretation to go into a book that will be spread where Muslims are expected to convey Islam as a small minority with little influence in society? Muslims are in such grave need of real, high-quality scholarship with deep and insightful wisdom.

Let us take a look at some verses that are often misinterpreted in that way.

“Believers should not take disbelievers as ‘awliyaa’ to the exclusion of the believers. Whoever does so will have disconnected themselves from God…”” (Qur’an, 3:28)

The Imam of all Qur’anic commentators, Al-Tabari, makes it clear that this verse is to be understood within the context of hypocrisy and betrayal against the Muslims. He says, “This is God the Almighty and Exalted prohibiting the believers from taking disbelievers as political supporters. Muslims should not support disbelievers against other Muslims, exposing the weakness of the Muslims to them. Whoever does so is separated from God; considered as a deserter of faith.”

Clearly, the verse is not talking about having non-Muslim friends in general, regardless how close you are to them. The word which is used here—awliyaa’—is not the word any Arab uses to mean “friend”, even a close friend. Historically, Arabs have used rafeeq, sadeeq or sahib to refer to friends and acquaintances. Awliyaa’, on the other hand, is the plural of waliy, which is usually used in the context of political support or guardianship.  God is Al-Waliy, which means the Guardian and Supporter of the believers, not the “The Friend”. The term waliy al-amr means someone’s legal guardian (for example, their parents). When referring to the state, it means the ruler.

It is clear from both context and linguistics that the stronger interpretation relates to the seriousness of hypocrisy in Muslims who take non-Muslims as political allies against other Muslims. The application of this verse to our lives here in the United States, for example, might be not to support the Republican Party or take your information from Fox News. It could also be used as a prohibition against joining the military, given the current policy which does not value the sovereignty of Muslim lands or the sanctity of the lives of Muslim civilians. However, in no way could the verse be understood to prohibit us from making friends with our neighbors, co-workers, or schoolmates.

In another verse from surat Al-Ma’idah, God says:

“Dear Believers! Don’t take the Jews and the Christians as awliyaa’, they are but awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them as awliyaa’, then surely, he is one of them. Verily, God doesn’t guide the oppressors.” (Qur’an, 5:51)

Again, the point is clarified by our great scholars of Qur’anic commentary. Imam Al-Tabari comments on this verse, “The early generations have differed about this verse. Some said it was for all believers, and others said it was specific to a contextual event in the prophetic biography regarding hypocrites and certain treacherous Jews in Medina.” He then cites various evidence from the sunnah (traditions and practices of the Prophet ﷺ) which endorses the latter opinion.

Imam Al-Qurtubi is another giant in Qur’anic commentary. He was born in Cordoba, Spain and during his life made many non-Muslim friends on various occasions. In his own explanation of the verse, he cites the same difference of opinion yet again and he gives a detailed preference to the evidence from the cause of revelation and the context of application mentioned in the sunnah.

“This is referring to the Hypocrites. The understood meaning is ‘O open claimants to faith, yet who secretly support the polytheists by informing them of the internal matters of Muslims.’” He then goes on to give many examples from the biography of the Prophet ﷺ.

Some modern commentators and translators—attempting balance in their approach—claim that one is not allowed to love or have an intimate relationship with non-Muslims. This claim is baseless in the classic scholarly commentary of the previous verses. Such a claim is very hard to substantiate when you consider that in the 5th verse of surat al-Ma’ida God permits marrying Jews and Christians and in surat al-Room God defines marriage as based in loving affection and compassion. Supporters of this erroneous claim rely on the following verse:

“You will not find a people who believe in God and the Last Day having affectionate love for those who have enmity to God and His messenger even if it be their parents, sons, brothers or other family members…”(Qur’an, 58:22)

The various commentaries noted that this verse was revealed after the battle of Badr, when Abu Ubaidah bin al-Jarrah killed his father. Again, there is a big difference between one who says they respectfully don’t believe in or follow Islam and one who has openly declared themselves an enemy of Islam,  outwardly expressing hatred and enmity towards Islam and Muslims.

Admittedly, a famous axiom of Qur’anic commentary states that the meaning of a text should be considered in its generality, and not in the specific circumstance in which it was revealed. However, scholars have argued that this axiom cannot apply to all things, as this would create much strife and iniquity, particularly in regards to verses dealing with a just war. That is not to say, of course, that verses of the Qur’an were only revealed for specific situations and are thus void of benefit thereafter; that would negate the purpose of revealing it in a book of universal guidance. The correct position is that understanding the context of a verse helps in understanding its proper future application.

Even disregarding the context of the above-mentioned verses, it is clear to the observant reader that they do not prohibit us from having non-Muslim friends. The contextual traditions merely serve to solidify the point and give clarity for future applications of the laws.

So what does Islam teach about having non-Muslim friends? The following three verses will help clear away any confusion regarding the topic.

“Perhaps God will bring loving affection between you and your enemies as God is Omnipotent. God is Forgiving and Merciful. God would not prohibit you from dealing good and fair with people who have not expelled you from your land or fought against your religion. He only prohibits you from any loyalty to those who have fought your religion and worked to expel you from your land. Whoever would have loyalty to such people are undoubtedly the iniquitous.”  (Quran, 60:7-9)

To my knowledge, all scholars are in agreement that the first of these verses is a miraculous prophecy, giving hope to the Muslims in early Medina that many of the leaders of the anti-Islam campaign from Mecca will embrace Islam. The second verse clarifies that the reason behind the enmity between Muslims and the tribe of Quraysh was because these people had abused, tortured, humiliated and ultimately expelled the Muslims from their homeland on account of their religion. If they had not done that, there would have been no enmity, rather mutual peace and respect.

As a rule of thumb, verses of the Qur’an that mention non-Muslims in harsh or severe terms refer only to those non-Muslims who have fought against Muslims and have openly expressed enmity towards them.

That being said, we continuously hear that America is fighting a war against Muslims, and so we should beware of its evil intentions toward Islam. However, the fact is that America is not fighting a war against Muslims. There is a military policy enforced by our representative style government known as a republic. The congressmen and the president’s administration have a complex policy on its “war on terror”. The policy has many sincere supporters who honestly think they are doing good in ridding the world of terror and threats to humanity. In many cases time and time again, they do this on false or faulty intelligence. Much evidence shows that the possible source of such faulty intelligence is a more sinister element in our government, that serves to defend imperial political ambitions and exploit natural resources of Muslim lands. Such a group is not representative of America any more than heretical jihadist groups represent the Muslims. It is completely unfair to judge all Americans by the corruption of a small group among them.

Surely one of the best ways to combat the bad image of Islam in America is through devout Muslims befriending their fellow countrymen among non-Muslims. Then they will come to know the truth of Islam by experiencing it firsthand. We should be strong in our faith and not feel threatened by people with different values. If we remain reclusive in our homes, mosques and restaurants, then we leave the media and those working against us to define us to the masses.

About the author

John (Yahya) Ederer

John (Yahya) Ederer

Imam John Yahya Ederer left a life of spiritual decadence and embraced Islam in 1998. In 2002, he accepted a scholarship offer from the Islamic American University in Michigan and spent 6 years travelling the Muslim world studying with prominent scholars. He attained an associates with IAU, a certification of mastery of the Arabic sciences from the ministry of education in Egypt, a diploma in Islamic Studies from the Cordoba Institute in Kuwait and a license with one of the highest chains of transmission in Qur’an memorization and recitation. He served as the Religious Director of the Islamic Foundation of South Florida for two years and now lives with his wife and two children in Charlotte, North Carolina where he serves as Imam of the Muslim American Society. He currently sits on the clergy board of one of the largest interfaith coalitions in Mecklenburg Ministries and is a board member of the Shamrock Drive Development Association.

28 Comments

  • Dear writer, what a beautiful article, may Allah reward you for the time, efforts, and understanding, and presenting the beautiful ideas and contexts of Islam to society in general, in more elaborate forms for non-Muslims and Muslims who are not aware of these truths in Islam, but rather view Islam from a blind eye that cannot see the real picture, the right way.
    Only Allah(AWJ)know your reward, and may Allah raise you in knowledge, that you be one of the tongues that communicates the truth for all humanity, that clears that all the people are Allah’s dependents .عن أنس قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
    “الخلق عيال الله فأحبهم إلى الله أنفعهم لعياله”.

    Explanation:
    “All creatures/people are the dependents of Allah. The most beloved of them to Allah is he who is most beneficial to his family or (to his dependents ”
    (or who treat His dependants kindly)

    عيال in this context doesn’t mean children. it means dependents who Rely on or require the aid of another for support. the creatures need help and support of Allah and the family needs help and support of Head of Household.
    and share understanding and unity and the mercy of Islam that came to all humanity in whole.
    Jazakum Allah khairan,

  • If being muslims, we are going to take such things out of context then its going to push people away from Islam and muslims. Islam is a mercy to the worlds, we are to call people to islam and not push them away. Great post! It clears a lot of misconceptions. JazakAllah Khair

    • Can you explain the verse of Quran [5:57] please? I have a close friend who is a non-muslim (a hindu by birth but an agnostic in practice). Although he never asked me to follow his idealism or showed any hostile attitude towards my religious practices, I know for a fact that he has certain dis-likeness for religious beliefs, in particular Islam. And no matter how hard I tried to make him understand the beauty of Islam he seemed he want to cling to his negative understanding on Islam and tried to avoid any discussion regarding the issue of religion. Also, he did say some stuffs once or twice that I did not like at all, but later apologised for them as well. So based on this verse, should I not keep any close friendship with him anymore? please keep in mind that, he is the best friend of my university life and is normally a peaceful and non violent guy. And there are even some occasions when he asks me himself if I had prayed my salat or shouldn’t I be going for my salat now etc etc.

  • “Do not keep company with anyone but a believer and do not let anyone eat your food but one who is pious.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2395; Abu Dawood, 4832. Abu ‘Eesa al-Tirmidhi said: this hadeeth is hasan. It was also classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2519).

    “Do not live among the mushrikeen and do not mix with them, for whoever lives among them or mixes with them is not one of us.” (Narrated by al-Bayhaqi, 9/142; al-Haakim, 2/154. He said, it is saheeh according to the conditions of al-Bukhaari. The hadeeth was also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 2/229 with its corroborating reports).

    What is your opinion on the above two hadeeth? We deal justly with non-muslims and be acquaintances to them, but is close friendship with non muslims still allowed?

    • Assalaamu ‘alaykum.
      “O Fudayk establish prayer, pay Zakâk and abandon bad deeds and live with your people (the unbelievers) wherever you like.” [Related by Ibn Hibbân – all narrators are truthful].

      Ahmad also related a hadîth which is evidence for living in non-Muslim countries. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The countries are Allah’s countries and the people are Allah’s servants, so wherever you find good (living atmosphere), you may live.”

      The Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted a group of Meccan Muslims to reside in Mecca before its conquest, including al-`Abbâs b. `Abd al-Muttalib [as related by al-Hâkim] and Abû al-`As [as related by al-Hâkim and al-Bayhaqî]

      The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, establishes prayer, and fasts Ramadân, Allah will admit him into Paradise whether he goes forth to strive in the way of Allah or remains in the land of his birth..” If staying in the land of the unbelievers had been forbidden, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would not have given them a choice between staying or leaving.

      [taken from http://en.islamtoday.net/node/1380 and http://en.islamtoday.net/node/1384%5D

      As for the first hadith you quoted, Allah knows best, but it’s worth knowing that often some meanings get lost in translations.

    • The missing bit from hadeeth like this, is context. I’m not a scholar but based on the Qur’an it seems to match those verses intended for when Muslims were oppressed or when under attack.

      So if I were to make a decision for myself, I would assume that the missing context must be the same as the context for those similar Qur’anic verses. Since the alternative explanation (that these are for general application) would contradict other Qur’anic verses and other saheeh hadith enjoining good relations with neighbours (including non-Muslims), dealing kindly with them in the hope that they will believe, etc. Since the second is impossible for me to accept as a Muslim, then the first is the likelier explanation.

  • Mashallah, my teacher Br.Mohammed, told me about this website, and I just had to check it out, and I read many of the articles on this website, and began repenting to Allah (swt) for all the bad things I have done, and my whole life changed!!! All thanks to my teacher Br. Mohammed Haque!!!

  • Salaam Alaykum:

    I live near a major university, that has about 30% Muslims from KSA. I am not so concerned about the men and their hookah, but them sitting around with American girls in Bikini is haram.

    And the girls easily like the very handsome Middle Eastern men, and are easy to date, and the guys sometimes get the girls pregnant, and then call them sluts or impure. I have a clue for you men. You are supposed to have superior Deen, and actually should be protecting and instructing these girls, not taking advantage of them.

    I have seen this often and it makes me sad. I warn American girls off when I see it happening but mostly they do not listen.

    It is haram to cause another to sin and then blame them.

    • These men are guilty of a major sin, zina – for which they have to answer to Allah for.

      These women on the other hand, maybe able to be excused, as they may not know…these men don’t really have such an excuse.

      And if these women convert to Islam, all their sins are forgiven and they start afresh. They can be confident of this once they accept Islam.

      As for these men, if they sincerely repent, Allah will forgive them. But they can’t be sure until the Day of Judgement that they really have been forgiven.

      We have to remember in such instances that Allah is all Just, all Wise…

  • Bottom line is that Islam existed peacefully in this country for hundreds of years before 9/11. The American Muslim is nothing new, Malcolm X was an American Muslim and there were millions American Muslims before him that lived peacefully with their non-Muslim counterparts. In the eighties and nineties Islam was respected in this country, it is only post 9/11 that you find non-Muslim Americans who hate Islam and it is my belief that some Eastern Islamic culture and racism continuously provokes this hate. If Islam existed in America peacefully for hundreds of years and it’s only taken a decade to ruin those alliances that black Muslims built with other American non-Muslims, this shows that the problem isn’t Islam.

  • Plainly, not to sound too paranoid, what happened post 9/11 was the media and some in the government engaging in the most evil character assassination I can think of.

    I left the Evangelical Church because people like John Hagee and others were preaching such evil hate that I knew it had nothing to do with the standards that Jesus the Christ taught.

    The teaching about the ONE God was what drew me to Islam, and in spite of the fact that a white American woman who does not speak Arabic, has a very tough time in Islam, there are truths in it that are not to be ignored.

    And, in Islam, any non-conformity in thought will get you in a lot of trouble, so you have to keep that to yourself.

    • “And, in Islam, any non-conformity in thought will get you in a lot of trouble, so you have to keep that to yourself.”

      Totally agree sis, oddly enough, I’ve actually received a fair share of criticism from married converts who were single Muslimahs less than six months or so before getting hitched and are totally high on their husbands theologies. The more women that convert to Islam the more diversity there is in our style and stories which I think is pretty awesome.

      On the subject at hand though…yeah we can’t pretend that media propaganda hasn’t played a huge factor in the way that Muslims are perceived.People should befriend themselves to those that will bring more love, benefit and beauty to their lives than harm, honestly sometimes non-Muslims are more supportive of freedom in faith than Muslims so this is something to consider.

  • I went inactive for 2 years, and have just returned. When I first converted, I was briefly Niqabi, but that is very hard in America though I still have mine and have considered what it would take to make me wish to wear it.

    I don’t plan to go to Masjid or mix with Muslim culture here in Portland again. Though we are to Hijab for Allah SWT, and I understand it. 2/3 of white American women who become Muslims stop being Muslim and I think that some need to think hard on what the Qur’an teaches and what is merely tribal custom and not required.

    It has heartened me recently to see the moderate Muslims speaking out, showing husband and wife together, and being happy. It is good that the Haram Police are not heard from so much. In this culture, I must be trusted to have both woman and men friends with out doing haram.

    In Islam, it seems that the radical haters are less heard from and that is good.

    Ma Salaam

    Khadijah

  • Assalam alaykum.

    what do we really mean when we talk about ‘haram police’?. i was thinking as Muslims we are commanded in the Qur’an to enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong.

    so if i see a sister doing something wrong, i let her know- ‘oh my sister, i read in the Qur’an or hadeeth that what you are doing is wrong, so please stop it and pray to Allah to make it easy for you to stop it’.

    i admonish her but that does not mean i’m trying to put her down and i still don’t love her for Allah’s sake.

    everyone wishes to be a better Muslim with each day; better than we were born or when we accepted the deen. we want to be amongst the foremost /successful in the hereafter.

    May Allah forgive us our sins and grant us al jannatul firdaus. Ameen.

  • Wa Alaykum Salaam:

    Meekly and in love I say that there are dozens of things that people criticize others over. And I make it a point not to talk to someone about their error, if I struggle with the same thing.

    If for example I wear a Hijab that is too short when wrapped on my head and exposes glimpses of my neck because I can not afford to get a high neck top until pay day, I will likely not Hijab at all if someone corrects me. I do my best and no one knows the reason for my infraction.

    When I was first Muslim Niqabi, I used gloves and socks too. Now that I an not Niqabi if I do not know if I should still use gloves and socks or no. And I will get a dozen different opinions on the matter. And there are conflicting Fatwas on it.

    Muslims are far too adept at criticizing and tearing at each other. And, I am Northern European living in America and can easily just not Hijab. I can get away with it, if people make the burden too heavy.

    I resumed Hijab on my own and when people are mean to me, it is easy to just give up.

  • A very nice article on the subject. I am looking for some info if anyone can help. My son in law is a muslim and comes from a Moroccan muslim family. He is very devout. We get on very well. I would like him to come to my 40th birthday party. My wife an I do not drink alcohol, though some of my family do. Is it allowed for him to come as he is not sure. We would very much llike him to be there as it is nice toto have him in the family.

  • 2:63. “Surely, the Believers, and the Jews, and the Christians and the Sabians-whichever party from among these truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good deeds-shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve”.
    This verse from the Holy Quran seems to say there are “believers” among the other religions – those who believe in the One God and do their duty towards Him. Therefore, befriending such persons would be different than those who would scoff at Islam.

    • Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

      There are numerous ayat which make it clear that Jews and Christians who do not enter Islam are disbelievers. From an article on this very website,

      The Mujahid Hadith

      The second hadith (record of the words or actions of the Prophet ﷺ) is from Mujahid, also about the conversion of Salman to Islam and the subsequent revealing of the verse “Surely those who believe…” In this account:

      Salman told the Prophet ﷺ about those Christians and what he had seen of their works, and he replied, “They did not die upon Islam.” Salman said, “The whole earth darkened around me,” and he recounted their spiritual rigors. Then this verse was revealed, so the Prophet ﷺ summoned Salman and told him, “This verse has been revealed about your companions.” Then he added, “Whoever dies upon the religion of Jesus and in submission [lit. “upon Islam”] before he hears of me is in goodly state. But whoever hears of me today and does not believe in me has perished,” (Tabari, 1.323).

      Tabari comments:

      Therefore, the correct interpretation (ta’wil) of the verse is what we have just mentioned from Mujahid and Suddi; that those who believe of this Umma [community], and those who were Jews, and the Christians, and Sabaeans: whoever believed—of the Jews, Christians, and Sabaeans—in God and the Last Day, “their wage awaits them with their Lord; no fear shall be upon them, nor shall they sorrow.” The interpretation we first mentioned [in his Qur’anic exegesis a few pages earlier, that “whoever believes in and acknowledges the Resurrection after death on Judgement Day, and does good deeds, obeying God, shall have their reward with their Lord”] is closest to the literal content of the text, for Allah (exalted is His praise) has not chosen one segment of humanity above the rest in rewarding good works when they are accompanied by true faith. [Tabari, 1.320, 323–24, trans. Keller]

      Ibn Kathir also states in his Tafsir:

      [After narrating that the verse was revealed as mentioned by Suddi] The faith of the Jews was that of whoever adhered to the Torah and the sunnah [tradition] of Moses (upon whom be peace) until the coming of Jesus. When Jesus came, whoever held fast to the Torah and the sunnah of Moses without giving them up and following Jesus was lost.

      The faith of the Christians was that whoever adhered to the Evangel and precepts of Jesus, their faith was valid and acceptable until the coming of Muhammad ﷺ. Those of them who did not then follow Muhammad ﷺ and give up the sunnah of Jesus and the Evangel were lost.

      The foregoing is not contradicted by the hadith relating that the verse “Surely those who believe, those of Jewry, the Christians, and the Sabaeans—whoever has faith in Allah and the Last Day…” (2:62), was followed by Allah’s revealing: “Whoever seeks other than Islam as a religion shall never have it accepted of him, and he shall be of those who have truly failed in the next life,” (Qur’an 3:85), for the hadith merely confirms that no one’s way or spiritual works are acceptable unless they conform to the Sacred Law of Muhammad ﷺ now that he has been sent with it. As for people prior to this, anyone who followed the messenger of his own time was guided, on the right path, and was saved. [Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Adhim, 1.283, trans. Keller]

      http://www.virtualmosque.com/islam-studies/islamic-law/opposition-to-islams-finality-with-recourse-to-the-quran/

      As explained, 2:62 refers to the Muslims before the advent of the final Messenger sallahuaalayhiwasalam.

  • As-salaam-u-alaykum brothers and sisters

    Great article! I have to say I did find it but disturbing when I read verses like 5:51 but that is because I am a lay person. If one does not know the context the verses were written as well as the understanding of the Arabic Fuhsa then it is a known fact that we lose a lot of the meaning in the English translation – that is why the original language of the Quran is maintained and not converted to another language unlike the unfortunate Bible of today which has been based on Koine Greek or Latin translations, and not the original Aramaic translation. And we can see how one word like Awliyaa can have such an impact on muslims and non-muslims alike. If we clumsily translate it as ‘friend’ then lay people like me will believe it as such, and this creates more damage than good in the long run. Islam is for everyone, it is not just for the Arabs, the Africans and Indians. Allah (SWT) has made Islam for everyone and anyone – we are all invited to it! Doesn’t matter if you’re white, Polynesian, Inuit, Far Eastern, Aborigine or a Native American! I mean if we took the verses literally and we weren’t allowed to make friends with the non-muslims then how will Allah’s Message spread? How many of us would have actually turned to Islam had it not been for our Muslim friends??? Now there is wisdom behind making our close companions muslims after all we think alike and can respect each other’s actions. BUT that doesn’t mean we shun our non-muslim friends if they are respectable to you and your faith. Also we need to realise that not all Muslims will think like us and not all non-muslims will act as druggies and drunkard nightclubbers! I mean there have been times when I felt more nervous praying whilst in the company of “mildly practising muslims” than in the company of decent non-Muslim friends…sounds weird and I am sorry to say that but that has been my experience. Basically be very careful whom you choose as your friends as they can affect you mentally, spiritually, financially, morally and physically.
    Also may the brother of this wonderful article write the references regarding Imams At-Tabari and Al-Qurtubi’s opinions of the verse 5:51. Much appreciated!

    And on a final note Ali (ra) once said, “Every human is either your brother in faith, or your equal in humanity”.

  • Salaam just wanted to ask regarding Quran 5:51 – which Christians at the time were fighting against the Muslims? We know the Jews of Medina were acting treacherously with the Muslims, but who of the Christians at the time were doing the same thing? Is it referring to the Christians of Najran?

  • As Salaam Alaykom:

    This is 2014, not the 7th century. With what is going on in the world today, this is no time to be saying that Muslims can not be friends with non Muslims. If I were young, I would be fighting ISIS in Iraq.

    And, if we are not friends with others then how else can be converts?

  • Thank you for the response.

    I was just wondering if every muslim I pass on the street hates me or if I can feel comfortable asking a muslim to borrow some sugar and the like.

    This response is what I hoped for, that some might hate and some might not let me borrow sugar, like some of all groupings!, but it isnt forbidden by all muslims.

    It makes me feel better, we can be friends but If the end time comes and you have a boat and I need a lift and you do not give me one though you have space, then to me you will turn out to be not a true friend at all.

    Heather of no religion.

    • Sallamualaikum Warahmatu Allah Wabarakatuh,
      As born muslims, we are not doing —- (I am speaking about myself and others I know in my community, city or state) —our job properly to invite, to inform and educate others about the Light, the Mercy, the Tolerance that Islam brought to humanity. Islam is one of the biggest bounties that Allah ( the Creator/ God/ Lord) have given us. Islam did not come for only certain people, it came for all. To taste the real understanding of Islam, is like tasting Pure Honey from real natural source, that is a healing, grace and mercy for the heart and to have love and concern for all mankind, regardless of their origin, color, faith, or status. Real understanding of Islam does not promote hate, hatred, hypocrisy, double standards, violence, terror, ….etc, In Islam, there is no compulsion or coercion, you do not push sb to become a muslim, you can talk to them about Islam, through sharing conversation, thru your own conduct in family and society, thru your respect and right to your neighbors, regarless of their beliefs, your respect to human beings regardless of their age, treat your elders and parents nicely and gently, your wives with affections, your kids with care and frienship, …etc
      Islam is the last completed commandments that came from God, for all humanity, Wonder, why half of the Rabbis 1400 yrs ago or so, in Medina in Arabia, became Muslims when they heard of the comings and teachings of the last Prophet ( Peace be upon him), because, he was mentioned in their Holy original scriptures, that came through the prophets and messengers, from the same Allah ( God) to Moses and Jesus ( Grace Greetings on them), the word “”Muhammadin “” was mentioned there.
      Prophet Muhammed ( Peace be upon him) was sent as Mercy to All Creation. his name means the praised one, praised worthy, the meaning of praise, etc…all that has to do with praise and greafulness. He is the beloved of Allah ( Glory to him).
      You never translate sb “s name to another language and give a close one meaning of the name, the name stays the same. you don”t call Bob in Spanish “”Batista” or Bobos, let alone Nice One, no one will know who you referring to, ( this was just a simple easy example, that you don’t change sb ‘s name cos of language, it might have a slight pronunciation, but the name stays the same).
      if you want to get to the bottom line of all things, the purpose of our existence, to be happy and appreciate what you have, you have to learn about islam, and know who is the Owner of all things that we see and don’t.
      we cannot as human beings take things for granted and be grateful and thankful. know we come with nothing, and we ‘ll leave with nothing. Every human being on the face of the earth, regardless what they believe now, or faith they follow heartdly or leisurely, has a chance why alive to be the best person and the best muslim, far better than most muslims by birth. if you are looking for the truth, this is it. if we are looking for sth else, this is not it.
      May God guide us all, ( the only one who can), not me or I, or anybody else) .
      Ameen Ameen Ameen

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