Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Friendship with Non-Muslims: Difference between revisions

The Quran and other Islamic sources prohibit certain degrees of relationship with non-Muslims, including with some from among the "People of the Book". Its stance appears to have evolved over time at various stages of Muhammad's prophetic career, occurring in a context when the believers had been driven out from Mecca and there was a degree of enmity between them, as recorded in such verses as Quran 60:1. Certain hadiths too portray Muhammad as being skeptical of inter-faith friendships. Some contemporary views emphasize contextual issues and use particular verses and examples from Muhammad's life to argue that friendship with non-Muslims is permitted in some circumstances.  

Surah 9 (at-Tawbah) traditionally came later chronologically than surah 60 in the section above, after the conquest of Mecca (though it is important to note that this is disputed by some modern academic scholars, who date the surah from internal and other evidence before that event). On the traditional chronology, it would seem that by this time Muhammad had hardened his stance again. Now we see that even family can't be a Muslim's awliya if they love disbelief more than faith, and a Muslim is not allowed even to have love for them if they oppose Allah and Muhammad. Presumably love is allowed if they don't oppose Allah and Muhammad, though it seems that a Muslim still can't take them as awliya either way if they are disbelievers.

{{Quote|{{Quran|9|23}}|O ye who believe! take not for protectors [yatawallahum] your fathers and your brothers if they love infidelity [kufra] above Faith: if any of you do so, they do wrong.}}

 

{{Quote|{{Quran|9|24}}|Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline: or the dwellings in which ye delight - are dearer [ahabba] to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious.}}