Does Islam really order Muslims to not take Jews, Christians and other non-Muslims as friends?

The sections of this article are:

1- Does Islam really order Muslims to not take Jews and Christians as friends?
2- Muslim men are allowed to marry Jewish and Christian women.
3- Allah Almighty loves some of the Jews and Christians and will grant them Paradise.
4- Why did Allah Almighty prohibit making alliance with the Jews and Christians?
5- I am a convert to Islam, and my family constantly try to pressure me to leave Islam. Must I disown them? Must I discontinue communicating with them?
6- Conclusion.

1- Does Islam really order Muslims to not take Jews and Christians as friends?

From www.answering-christianity.com/quran_moral_code.htm:

203

You may take a disbeliever as a companion صاحب (saahib). A صاحب can be your neighbor, workmate, classmate, friend (he is not a brother in faith) احسانا وبذي القربى واليتامى والمساكين والجار ذي القربى والجار الجنب والصاحب. See Noble Verse 4:36.

Even if your parents relentlessly call you to become an apostate or an infidel, do not follow them, but still be kind to them and be their companion صاحب (saahib).وان جاهداك على ان تشرك بي ماليس لك به علم فلا تطعهما وصاحبهما في الدنيا معروفا. See Noble Verse 31:15.

A صاحب (saahib) can be a disbeliever (18:37): قال له صاحبه وهو يحاوره اكفرت بالذي خلقك من تراب ثم من نطفة ثم سواك رجلا.

Also, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was addressed as the صاحب (saahib) of the both the believers and disbelievers in Noble Verses 34:46, 53:2, 81:22.

A Muslim man can also marry a Jewish or Christian woman. Also, some of the people of the Book (Jews and Christians) are from among the blessed ones. See Noble Verses 5:5, 3:199, 3:113-114. More proof that having a life friendship with disbelievers is permitted.

However, the disbelievers may not be your allies without or against the Believers. And if he's hostile towards Islam, then you must end your relationship with him (4:89, 2:193, 58:8-9, 29:46, 60:8).

Be forgiving to those who disagree with your faith who are not hostile. Show kindness to them. Pardon people. Restrain your anger. And be just. See Noble Verses 5:8, 60:8, 5:2, 4:58, 4:135, 7:159, 5:44, 2:62, 3:134, 7:199, 15:85, 5:13, 2:109, 24:22, 45:14, 76:7-10, 90:11-17, 2:177, 2:215, 17:26, 38:26, 42:42.

4:36, 31:15, 18:37, 29:8, 31:15, 58:22, 34:46, 53:2, 81:22, 3:28, 3:118, 5:51, 5:57-59, 4:139, 9:23, 5:5, 3:199, 3:199, 3:113-114, 4:89, 2:193, 58:8-9, 29:46, 60:8, 5:8, 60:8, 5:2, 4:58, 4:135, 7:159, 5:44, 2:62, 3:134, 7:199, 15:85, 5:13, 2:109, 24:22, 45:14, 76:7-10, 90:11-17, 2:177, 2:215, 17:26, 38:26, 42:42.

Let us look at the Noble Verses that address this issue:

"O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors; they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. (The Noble Quran, 5:51)"

"O ye who believe! Take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport - whether among those who received the Scripture (i.e., the Bible) before you, or among those who reject Faith; but fear ye Allah, if ye have Faith (indeed). (The Noble Quran, 5:57)"

"Yea, to those who take for friends unbelievers rather than believers: is it honour they seek among them? Nay,- all honour is with God. (The Noble Quran, 4:139)"

"O ye who believe! Turn not (for friendship) To people on whom Is the Wrath of Allah. Of the Hereafter they are Already in despair, just as The Unbelievers are In despair about those (Buried) in graves. (The Noble Quran, 60:13)"

In the above Noble Verses, the Arabic word for "friends" is "Awliyaa", which has four literal meanings: (1) Allies; (2) Friends; and (3) Guardians. In Noble Verse 60:13, the Arabic word used was "tatawallu", which is derived from the root word "Awliyaa".

"Waliy" which is the singular of "Awliyaa" means "Guardian" as your parents were your guardians when you were a kid. So as you can see, the Arabic word "Awliyaa" has different literal meanings.

Important Note: In Noble Verse 60:13 above, Allah Almighty said "la tatawallu qawman", which literally means "take not as allies a tribe (or a community)", which further proves my point that "Awliyaa" in the Noble Verses above is meant for "alliance" and not personal "friendship".

*** There is nothing wrong with developing a personal friendship with a non-Muslim to help him/her understand and appreciate Islam and to ultimately embrace it if they chose to. As clearly shown in the introduction above, Allah Almighty commanded all Muslims to treat with kindness and justice all of the good non-Muslims.

The English translation of the Noble Verses above is not accurate, because the use of the word "friends" is really out of context. The word "Allies" is the correct one, because in all of the Noble Verses above, Allah Almighty was talking to the Muslims as a group taking A GROUP OF PEOPLE OR COMMUNITY as "Awliyaa", which fits perfectly with "alliance" than with just personal "friendship" on an individual level, especially that we've seen in the table above how companion صاحب (saahib) is allowed with disbelievers in the Glorious Quran.

Another example of inaccurate English translation is the following Noble Verse:

"As to those who turn (For friendship) to Allah, His Messenger, and the (Fellowship of) Believers - it is the Fellowship of Allah that must certainly triumph. (The Noble Quran, 5:56)"

The Arabic word for "Fellowship" of Allah is "hizb", which literally mean "Alliance", as in "Hizbullah" in Lebanon, which means "The Alliance of Allah". Hizbullah are the guerrillas and the warriors that fought the Israelis long battles in southern Lebanon and finally were able to drive them out. Also, the "Northern Alliance" in Afghanistan against the Taliban are called "Hizb Al-shamal".

Hizb is mistranslated as "Fellowship" instead of "Alliance". Noble Verse 5:56 clearly states that Muslims must form their alliances only with Allah Almighty, Prophet Muhammad and the Believers. Any alliance other than Allah Almighty is a losing one. That is exactly what the Alliance with the Jews, Christians and Pagans against fellow Muslims will result in: Eventual loss at this life, and Severe Punishment at the Day of Judgement.

So the Noble Verses above don't suggest that Muslims can not have personal friends with non-Muslims. It suggests that Muslim countries are prohibited from forming alliance with the non-Muslims against other Muslims.

Noble 5:57, however, clearly states that Muslims should avoid having personal friendship with anyone (Muslim or non-Muslim) who disrespects Islam and take it for a "mockery". So the translation of "friends" for "Awliyaa" seem to be a correct and accurate one.

The use of the word "friends" for Noble Verses 5:51 and 4:139 as a translation is ambiguous. It is not clear from the Noble Verses that Allah Almighty meant for "Awliyaa" to be only personal "friends". Certainly Noble Verse 5:56 above clearly shows that Allah Almighty is concerned about the Alliance that Muslims commit themselves to, and not personal friendships.

Allah Almighty commanded the Muslims to be kind and just with non-Muslims: "Allah forbids you not, With regard to those who Fight you not for (your) Faith Nor drive you out Of your homes, From dealing kindly and justly With them: For Allah loveth Those who are just. (The Noble Quran, 60:8)"

Just because a person might be a non-Muslim it doesn't automatically make him an enemy to the Muslims. Peace-loving and innocent non-Muslims are to be treated with justice and kindness, otherwise the Muslims would be committing a sin and violating Allah Almighty's Holy Commands, "For Allah loveth Those who are just".

2- Muslim men are allowed to marry Jewish and Christian women:

Another proof that the above English translation of the word "friends" is wrong, and the correct word is "Alliance" is, how can Allah Almighty prohibit for any Muslim to form personal friendship with any Jew or Christian, when He the Almighty allowed for Muslim men to have friendly relationships with Jewish and Christian women like they do with Muslim women (without sex before marriage of course) that could lead to marriage?

"This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book [Jews and Christians] is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time,- when ye give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues if any one rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good). (The Noble Quran, 5:5)"

One has to ask himself a very simple question here: How can a Jewish or Christian woman marry a Muslim man without loving him? And how is it possible for this love to happen without prior friendship or even just warm feelings between the Muslim man and the woman?

Please visit Marriage in Islam.

3- Allah Almighty loves some of the Jews and Christians and will grant them Paradise:

Another proof that the above English translation of the word "friends" is wrong, and the correct word is "Alliance" is, how can Allah Almighty order Muslims not to have personal friendships with Jews and Christians when He Himself Loves some of them and will Grant them Paradise? This means that some Jews and Christians are actually better in the Sight of Allah Almighty than some Muslims:

"And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book [Jews and Christians], those who believe in God, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to God: They will not sell the Signs of God for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, and God is swift in account. (The Noble Quran, 3:199)"

"Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book [Jews and Christians] are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of God all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous. (The Noble Quran, 3:113-114)"

The above Noble Verses clearly speak about the righteous Jews and Christians who believe in Allah Almighty and do righteousness and will have their Great Reward and enter Paradise. Why would a Muslim be prohibited to form a personal friendship with these people from the Jews and Christians whom Allah Almighty loves dearly.

Please visit What is the place of Jesus, Jews and Christians in Islam?

4- Why did Allah Almighty prohibit making alliance with the Jews and Christians?

When Islam was still fresh and partial, and Muslims were just beginning to understand Islam; Allah Almighty's True Divine Religion, a group of hypocrites from the Jews and Christians tried to deceive the Muslims by pretending to accept Islam and then deserting it later, thus creating the impression that Islam was not a religion worth adopting.

Let us look at Noble Verse 3:72 "A section of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) say: Believe in the morning what is revealed to the believers ( Muslims), but reject it at the end of the day; perchance they may (themselves) turn back (from Islam)."

Since then, the Muslims became very wary from the Jews and Christians, because they proved themselves to be hypocrites.

Please visit Apostates in Islam - Freedom of Religion and Choice for Muslims and non-Muslims.

5- I am a convert to Islam, and my family constantly try to pressure me to leave Islam. Must I disown them? Must I discontinue communicating with them?

Well, we've clearly seen above from the Glorious Quran that you must not at all discontinue your companionship and relationship with your parents. Not only that, but Allah Almighty also Commanded you to treat your relentless infidel parents with kindness, courtesy and respect:

Noble Verse(s) 31:15

Dr. Munir Munshey (one of www.answering-christianity.com's authors):

[031:015] Yet if they, (your parents), compel you to commit �shirk� (associate partners) with Me _ something you have no knowledge of _ then do not obey. Deal with them in this life with kindness and courtesy, but follow the path of the one who turns to Me in repentance. Towards Me is your retreat! Then, I will relate to you what you used to do.

Arabic (Read from right to left. Also, all png image files: [1] [2]. Quran Moral Code (100s of them)]):

‏31:15 وان جاهداك على ان تشرك بي ماليس لك به علم فلا تطعهما وصاحبهما في الدنيا معروفا واتبع سبيل من اناب الي ثم الي مرجعكم فانبئكم بما كنتم تعملون

We've also seen how Allah Almighty allowed for Believers to have companionship with disbelievers (Luke 2:52: GOD forgave Jesus' sins and was "charitable" with him). Again, this is not to consider them as brothers and sisters in Faith. But we can have them as our workmates, neighbors (See also Isaiah 1:9-17: Yahweh called Israel Sodom, because it spreads evil and is unjust)., classmates, friends in life. And our neighbors (See also Isaiah 1:9-17: Yahweh called Israel Sodom, because it spreads evil and is unjust). have rights upon us. And all people who are not hostile to Islam or to us also are to be treated with kindness and respect, and we must restrain our anger, forgive people and treat them with kindness and justice. Please visit:

www.answering-christianity.com/quran_moral_code.htm

So as to your siblings and other relatives, such as uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and others, you can and you should maintain all communication and relationship with them, so long they are not hostile regarding Islam where they are not foul-mouthed or dangerous and violent towards you. And even if they're hostile, try to be forgiving and always try to restrain your anger and pardon people. These are the Commandments that Allah Almighty gave us in the Glorious Quran.

It is the duty of all Muslims to remind those who might eventually listen:

Noble Verse(s) 50:45

Arabic (Read from right to left. Also, all png image files: [1] [2]. Quran Moral Code (100s of them)]):

‏50:45 نحن اعلم بما يقولون وماانت عليهم بجبار فذكر بالقران من يخاف وعيد

Palmer:

[050:045] We know what they say; nor art thou over them one to compel. Wherefore remind, by the Qur'an, him who fears the threat.

Noble Verse(s) 87:9

Arabic (Read from right to left. Also, all png image files: [1] [2]. Quran Moral Code (100s of them)]):

‏87:9 فذكر ان نفعت الذكرى

Muhammad Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan:

[087:009] Therefore remind (men) in case the reminder profits (them).

Noble Verse(s) 88:21

Arabic (Read from right to left. Also, all png image files: [1] [2]. Quran Moral Code (100s of them)]):

‏88:21 فذكر انما انت مذكر

Palmer:

[088:021] But remind: thou art only one to remind;

Therefore, do not deprive your family and those whom you're able to reach from the reminder. Remind and invite all to Islam with wisdom and beautiful preaching:

"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." (The Noble Quran, 16:125)

For ample more proofs, please visit:

What is the Islam?

What is the status of Jesus in Islam?

Best way to convert a non-Muslim

Quran's Moral Code (100s of them)

Questioning Trinity proves Islam

6- Conclusion:

It is clear that Islam doesn't prohibit personal friendships with Jews and Christians or any other people. Islam however clearly prohibits forming alliance with the Jews, Christians and other non-Muslims. The only alliance a Muslim is allowed to form is with Allah Almighty, our Prophet peace be upon him (when he lived 1400 years ago), and the Muslim Believers.

From www.answering-christianity.com/quran_moral_code.htm:

203

A صاحب (saahib) can be a disbeliever (18:37): قال له صاحبه وهو يحاوره اكفرت بالذي خلقك من تراب ثم من نطفة ثم سواك رجلا.

Also, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was addressed as the صاحب (saahib) of the both the believers and disbelievers in Noble Verses 34:46, 53:2, 81:22.

However, the disbelievers may not be your allies without or against the Believers. And if he's hostile towards Islam, then you must end your relationship with him (4:89, 2:193, 58:8-9, 29:46, 60:8).

Allah, Islam, Quran, Muhammad questions and answers.

Surah 5:51 Examined - Don’t take the Jews and Christians as Friends?

What is the place of Jews, Christians and non-Muslims in Islam.

What is the Wisdom of Islam? And how will Allah Almighty Judge Muslims and non-Muslims?

Human rights and equality in Islam V.S. Christianity.

No one can be forced into Islam. There is no compulsion in Islam.

Ask me any question.

Send your comments.

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Quran's STUNNING Divine Miracles: [1]

Allah Almighty also promised in several Divine Prophecies that He will show the Glorious Quran's Miracles to mankind. For example:

1- The root letters for "message" and all of its derivatives occur 513 times throughout the Glorious Quran. Yet, the Prophets' and Messengers' actual names (Muhammad, Moses, Noah, Abraham, Lot etc....) were also all mentioned 513 times in the Glorious Quran. See detailed listing here.

Coincidence? See 1,000s of examples! [1]. (zip file).

Quran's Stunning Numerical & Scientific Miracles.

Stunning Prophecies [2] [3]

2- Allah Almighty said that Prophet Noah lived for 950 years. Yet, all Praise and Glory are due to Allah Almighty Alone, the entire Noble Surah (chapter Noah) is exactly written in 950 Letters. You can thoroughly see the accurate count in the scanned images.

3- Allah Almighty in the Glorious Quran said that earth is:

       -  Spherical: "egg-shaped" [1].
       - Is rotating around itself.
       - Is moving in space in curvy orbits [2].
       - Is traveling through the constantly expanding universe [3].

"When the sky disintegrates, and turns rose colored like paint (وردة كالدهان)." (The Noble Quran, 55:37) [2] [3]

As we also see from the picture, Noble Verse 55:37 is a Divine Promise (Allah promised to show mankind) that mankind will actually see this come to pass one day. NASA and other space agencies, by Allah Almighty's Will, have certainly fulfilled this Prophecy, because a natural rose wouldn't form when a "Heaven" or a Solar System or even an entire galaxy and its
trillions of solar systems all blow up (explode). It is rather the look of it, and this is exactly what NASA confirms.

Coincidence? See 1,000s of examples [1].Quran's Stunning Numerical & Scientific Miracles.

Islam also thoroughly rejects as man-made lies the Trinity and Crucifixion [2]. Jesus was also thoroughly called slave of GOD [1] in both the OT and NT.

Quran: All Bibles are mostly of corrupt [1] قول (Quran 10:94 and 10s others discussed). See also the 39+ members of trinity. Jesus called every believer a Muslim in Luke 6:40.

John 5:30 "I cannot do anything on my own." (i.e., Jesus could not perform a single Miracle without GOD sending it down to him first!). I can not perform a single Miracle on my own!! I am totally POWERLESS without Allah Almighty!

John 5:31 "if I (Jesus) bear witness of myself, then I would be a liar!"

GOD didn't talk this way when He spoke to Moses. GOD's testimony alone is always sufficient! Jesus also bowed his face down to the ground, like we Muslims (Isaiah 56:5: Muslim is the future believers' name, and sons and daughters of GOD titles will be "no more"; ; Jesus called every believer a Muslim in Luke 6:40) Muslims do everyday, and prayed to GOD Almighty.