Al Wala’ wa’l Bara’: Islam’s Doctrine of Hate

Can Muslims take Jews and Christians as their friends?

Do the so-called authentic texts of Islam permit Muhammad’s followers to befriend and love individuals from another religion? Or are Muslims expressly forbidden by their god from taking non-believers as friends, comrades, protectors etc.?

Love and Hate for Allah’s Sake

There is a concept within Islam known as al-walaa wa’l-baraa. Al-walaa means loyalty or allegiance and al-baraa means disownment, disavowal, enmity or renunciation, and even appears in the Quran with this meaning:

(This is a declaration of) immunity (Baraatun) by Allah and His Apostle towards those of the idolaters with whom you made an agreement. S. 9:1 Shakir

The word walaa further implies love, help and drawing close whereas baraa is its opposite. Another term that is frequently exchanged for baraa is adaa meaning enmity.

What this doctrine basically teaches is that Muslims are to love Allah, his messenger, and one another, drawing close and remaining loyal to Islam, whereas they are to hate and disavow the disbelievers. Muslims are expressly prohibited from loving the unbelievers and are forbidden from making alliances with them, unless it is for a greater purpose such as deceiving the kufaar (infidels) from knowing the true agenda of Islam until Muslims gain the upper hand and subjugate them.

The following source, one we highly recommend, provides an excellent definition of this Islamic doctrine which helps to put this in perspective:

The following lengthy treatise, written by Ayman al-Zawahiri, portrays a world divided into two warring camps: Muslims and the rest. The Arabic words rendered here as “loyalty” and “enmity,” wala’ and bara’, can be variously translated, but always a dichotomy exists (“love and hate” or “friendship and animosity,” for instance). Wala’ essential means friendship, benevolence, fealty, and devotion, while bara’ means disavowal, repudiation–essentially being “clean” of something. While all these words are to varying degrees applicable (and are utilized within the translation according to context), as an Islamic doctrine what is being relayed is most appropriately captured by the words “loyalty” and “enmity.” “Enmity” towards infidels especially best translates bara’ since al-Qaeda insists that the basic relationship between the infidel and Muslim is described by this Koranic verse:

“You have a good example in Abraham and those who followed him, for they said to their people, ‘We disown you and the idols that you worship besides Allah. We renounce you: enmity and hate shall reign between us until you believe in Allah alone’” [60:4].

(In fact, in “Moderate Islam Is a Prostration to the West,” bin Laden makes this verse the cornerstone of Islam’s relationship to the non- Muslim world.)

The entire doctrine is dedicated to showing that true Muslims must always strive to be in a state of wala’ by being devoted to Allah and loyal to one another, while maintaining a state of bara’ by hating or at least being clean from everything–and everyone–outside of Islam. In fact, if every Muslim followed this doctrine, a clash between the Muslim world and the non-Muslim world would inevitably occur–which is precisely what al-Qaeda seeks. The many Koranic verses alone that form the centerpiece of this doctrine seem straightforward enough…

Aside from these divine verses and more like them, hadiths and exegeses by the ulema regarding the legitimacy of this doctrine are plentiful. The comprehensive nature of this doctrine is such that once it is upheld, everything else that radicals such as al-Qaeda yearn to see falls into place. The entire world becomes black and white, good and evil. In such a setting other doctrines that al-Qaeda endorse become more obligatory and urgent. Upholding sharia (Islamic) law becomes more pressing, since that is the primary way for Muslims to differentiate themselves and be clean of the ways of the infidels. Waging Offensive Jihad against the infidels becomes even more logical and palatable, since Muslims can never love or befriend infidels anyway until the latter submit to Islam. All Muslims would be obliged to help, fund, and shelter the mujahidin, since they must at all times be loyal to fellow Muslims. And so forth.

In short: the Muslim must “know that he is obligated to befriend a believer–even if he is oppressive and violent toward you, while he must be hostile to the infidel–even if he is liberal and kind to you.” This treatise is further revealing in that it acknowledges another little-known doctrine– that of taqiyya. According to this doctrine, Muslims may under certain circumstances openly deceive infidels by feigning friendship or goodwill–even apostasy–provided that their heart remains true to Islam. A favorite verse justifying this sort of dissimulation while also supporting the doctrine of Loyalty and Enmity, which Zawahiri quotes innumerable times, states: “Let believers not take for friends and allies infidels rather than believers: whoever does this shall have no relationship left with Allah–unless you guard yourselves against them, taking precautions” [3:28, italics added for clarity]. (The Al Qaeda Reader, edited and translated by Raymond Ibrahim, introduction by Victor Davis Hanson [Broadway Books, NY, 2007, First Paperback Edition], Part I: Theology, 2. “Loyalty and Enmity”, pp. 63-65)

The translator goes on to reproduce the letters of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri where the latter copiously quotes from the Quran, the Sunna and various Muslim scholars to justify his call for Muslims to hate and wage war against the infidels. What is so amazing about al-Zawahiri’s letter is that he actually quotes many of the same Quranic verses, hadiths and expositors that we will be sourcing all throughout our paper, substantiating the fact that this is not merely an “Islamophobic” understanding or spin of these Islamic texts in order to portray the Muslim faith in the worst possible manner. We will be quoting from al-Zawahiri’s letter all throughout this article. We will also have more to say concerning taqiyya a little later in our discussion. In this article we will examine key Quranic references which Muslims often source in support of this doctrine. We will analyze the Quran and Islamic reference works to document our claims and to see what relevance such a teaching has for the safety and security of all non-Muslims around the world, especially places where the non-Muslims form a large majority or run the government. We will then compare the Islamic teachings with what the Holy Bible says concerning befriending and/or loving those of another faith.

The Religion before Allah is Islam

The Quran expressly says in more than one place that the only true religion, the only faith, which Allah accepts is Islam:

… This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion… S. 5:3 Y. Ali

Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account. S. 3:19 Hilali-Khan

And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. S. 3:85 Hilali-Khan

All other religions must be debased and subjected to the rule of Islam. Allah will cause Islam to prevail over all religious systems and ideologies.

In fact, Allah commanded Muhammad to subjugate and kill the infidels since this is the way he has prescribed for his religion to eventually become the dominant belief system:

‘Journey freely in the land for four months; and know that you cannot frustrate the will of God, and that God degrades the unbelievers.’ A proclamation, from God and His Messenger, unto mankind on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage: ‘God is quit, and His Messenger, of the idolaters. So if you repent, that will be better for you; but if you turn your backs; know that you cannot frustrate the will of God. And give thou good tidings to the unbelievers of a painful chastisement; excepting those of the idolaters with whom you made covenant, then they failed. You naught neither lent support to any man against you. With them fulfil your covenant till their term; surely God loves the godfearing. Then, when the sacred months are drawn away, slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them, and confine them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent, and perform the prayer, and pay the alms, then let them go their way; God is All-forgiving, All-compassionate. And if any of the idolaters seeks of thee protection, grant him protection till he hears the words of God; then do thou convey him to his place of security — that, because they are a people who do not know. How should the idolaters have a covenant with God and His Messenger? — excepting those with whom you made covenant at the Holy Mosque; so long as they go straight with you, do you go straight with them; surely God loves the godfearing. How? If they get the better of you, they will not observe towards you any bond or treaty, giving you satisfaction with their mouths but in their hearts refusing; and the most of them are ungodly. They have sold the signs of God for a small price, and have barred from His way; truly evil is that they have been doing, observing neither bond nor treaty towards a believer; they are the transgressors. Yet if they repent, and perform the prayer, and pay the alms, then they are your brothers in religion; and We distinguish the signs for a people who know. But if they break their oaths after their covenant and thrust at your religion, then fight the leaders of unbelief; they have no sacred oaths; haply they will give over. Will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and purposed to expel the Messenger, beginning the first time against you? Are you afraid of them? You would do better to be afraid of God, if you are believers. Fight them, and God will chastise them at your hands and degrade them, and He will help you against them, and bring healing to the breasts of a people who believe, and He will remove the rage within their hearts; and God turns towards whomsoever He will; God is All-knowing, All-wise… It is not for the idolaters to inhabit God’s places of worship, witnessing against themselves unbelief; those — their works have failed them, and in the Fire they shall dwell forever. Only he shall inhabit God’s places of worship who believes in God and the Last Day, and performs the prayer, and pays the alms, and fears none but God alone; it may be that those will be among the guided. S. 9:2-15, 17-18 Arberry

O believers, the idolaters are indeed unclean; so let them not come near the Holy Mosque after this year of theirs. If you fear poverty, God shall surely enrich you of His bounty, if He will; God is All-knowing; All-wise. Fight those who believe not in God and the Last Day and do not forbid what God and His Messenger have forbidden — such men as practise not the religion of truth, being of those who have been given the Book — until they pay the tribute out of hand and have been humbled. The Jews say, ‘Ezra is the Son of God’; the Christians say, ‘The Messiah is the Son of God.’ That is the utterance of their mouths, conforming with the unbelievers before them. God assail them! How they are perverted! They have taken their rabbis and their monks as lords apart from God, and the Messiah, Mary’s son — and they were commanded to serve but One God; there is no god but He; glory be to Him, above that they associate — desiring to extinguish with their mouths God’s light; and God refuses but to perfect His light, though the unbelievers be averse. It is He who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may uplift it above every religion, though the unbelievers be averse. S. 9:28-33 Arberry

Friendships and Alliances with Unbelievers are strictly prohibited

The Quran repeatedly forbids Muslims from making alliances or building friendships with disbelievers, even if they are family members:

And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and they establish worship and they pay the poor-due, and they obey Allah and His messenger. As for these, Allah will have mercy on them. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise. S. 9:71 Pickthall

O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends, etc.) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand. Lo! You are the ones who love them but they love you not, and you believe in all the Scriptures [i.e. you believe in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), while they disbelieve in your Book, the Qur’an]. And when they meet you, they say, “We believe”. But when they are alone, they bite the tips of their fingers at you in rage. Say: “Perish in your rage. Certainly, Allah knows what is in the breasts (all the secrets).” If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if you remain patient and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V.2:2), not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allah surrounds all that they do. S. 3:118-120 Hilali-Khan

Note how the Muslim commentary explains the foregoing texts\:

(O ye who believe! Take not for intimates others than your own folk…) [3:118]. Ibn ‘Abbas and Mujahid said: “This was revealed about a group of believers who took some hypocrites as intimate friends and had ties with some Jewish men due to bonds of kinship, friendship, alliance, neighbourhood and milk relations which they had with them. Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse warning them against taking them as intimates for fear lest they turn them away from their religion”. (‘Alī ibn Ahmad al- Wahidi, Asbab al-Nuzul https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=86&tsorano=3&tayahno=118&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2; bold emphasis mine)

Here are several more verses:

Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you (O Muhammad) till you follow their religion. Say: “Verily, the Guidance of Allah (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) that is the (only) Guidance. And if you (O Muhammad) were to follow their (Jews and Christians) desires after what you have received of Knowledge (i.e. the Qur’an), then you would have against Allah neither any Wali (protector or guardian) nor any helper. S. 2:120 Hilali-Khan

O ye who believe! Take not for friends unbelievers rather than believers: Do ye wish to offer God an open proof against yourselves? S. 4:144 Pickthall

O believers, take not Jews and Christians as friends; they are friends of each other. Whoso of you makes them his friends is one of them. God guides not the people of the evildoers. Yet thou seest those in whose hearts is sickness vying with one another to come to them, saying, ‘We fear lest a turn of fortune should smite us.’ But it may be that God will bring the victory, or some commandment from Him, and then they will find themselves, for that they kept secret within them, remorseful, and the believers will say, ‘What, are these the ones who swore by God most earnest oaths that they were with you? Their works have failed now they are losers.’ O believers, whosoever of you turns from his religion, God will assuredly bring a people He loves, and who love Him, humble towards the believers, disdainful towards the unbelievers, men who struggle in the path of God (yujahidoona fee sabeel Allah), not fearing the reproach of any reproacher. That is God’s bounty; He gives it unto whom He will; and God is All-embracing, All- knowing. Your friend is only God, and His Messenger, and the believers who perform the prayer and pay the alms, and bow them down. Whoso makes God his friend, and His Messenger, and the believers — the party of God (hizba Allah), they are the victors. O believers, take not as your friends those of them, who were given the Book before you, and the unbelievers, who take your religion in mockery and as a sport — and fear God, if you are believers — S. 5:51-57 Arberry

O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith. Whoso of you taketh them for friends, such are wrong-doers. Say: If your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and your tribe, and the wealth ye have acquired, and merchandise for which ye fear that there will no sale, and dwellings ye desire are dearer to you than Allah and His messenger and striving in His way: then wait till Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk. S. 9:23-24 Pickthall

And, here, again is how the Muslim exegetes exposited the aforementioned passage:

(O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren) who are in Mecca from among the disbelievers (for friends) in religion (if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith) if they choose disbelief instead of faith. (Whoso of you taketh them for friends) in religion, (such are wrong-doers) disbelievers like them; it is also said that this means: O ye who believe! take not your believing fathers and brothers who are in Mecca, who had prevented you from migrating to Medina, for allies, seeking their help and assistance, if they choose to remain in the abode of disbelief, i.e. Mecca, rather than migrate to the abode of Islam, i.e. Medina. Whosoever takes them for allies harms only himself. (Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=73&tsorano=9&tayahno=23&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2)

(O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith) [9:23-24]. Said al-Kalbi: “When the Messenger of Allah was commanded to migrate to Medina, some men went to their fathers, brothers or wives and said: ‘We have been commanded to migrate to Medina’. Thus, some people liked the command and hastened to execute it, while the wives, dependents and children of others hang on to some others, saying: ‘We beseech you by Allah not to leave us to no one, causing our waste and peril’. The hearts of these softened for them and, as a result, they refrained from migrating. These words of Allah, exalted is He, were then revealed to rebuke them (O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith…)”. As for those who stayed back in Mecca and did not migrate, Allah, exalted is He, revealed (then wait till Allah bringeth His command to pass…) [9:24], meaning fighting and the conquest of Mecca. (Asbab al-Nuzul https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=86&tsorano=9&tayahno=23&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2)

There’s more:

Thou wilt not find any people who believe in God and the Last Day, loving those who resist God and His Apostle, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein (for ever). God will be well pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of God. Truly it is the Party of God that will achieve Felicity. S. 58:22 Y. Ali

O ye who believe! Take not my enemies and yours as friends (or protectors), – offering them (your) love, even though they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, and have (on the contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homes), (simply) because ye believe in God your Lord! If ye have come out to strive in My Way (jihadan fee sabeelee) and to seek My Good Pleasure, (take them not as friends), holding secret converse of love (and friendship) with them: for I know full well all that ye conceal and all that ye reveal. And any of you that does this has strayed from the Straight Path. If they were to get the better of you, they would behave to you as enemies, and stretch forth their hands and their tongues against you for evil: and they desire that ye should reject the Truth. Of no profit to you will be your relatives and your children on the Day of Judgment: He will judge between you: for God sees well all that ye do. There is for you an excellent example (to follow) in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: “We are clear of you and of whatever ye worship besides God: we have rejected you, and there has arisen, between us and you, enmity and hatred for ever, – unless ye believe in God and Him alone“: But not when Abraham said to his father: “I will pray for forgiveness for thee, though I have no power (to get) aught on thy behalf from God.” (They prayed): “Our Lord! in Thee do we trust, and to Thee do we turn in repentance: to Thee is (our) Final Goal. Our Lord! Make us not a (test and) trial for the Unbelievers, but forgive us, our Lord! for Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” There was indeed in them an excellent example for you to follow, – for those whose hope is in God and in the Last Day. But if any turn away, truly God is Free of all Wants, Worthy of all Praise. It may be that God will grant love (and friendship) between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies. For God has power (over all things); And God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. God 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 God loveth those who are just. God only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong… O ye who believe! Turn not (for friendship) to people on whom is the Wrath of God, of the Hereafter they are already in despair, just as the Unbelievers are in despair about those (buried) in graves. S. 60:1-9, 13 Y. Ali

The following exposition of Q. 9:23-24 and 58:22 is taken from al-Zawahiri’s letter to the Muslims titled, “Loyalty and Enmity,” Part One: The Foundations of Loyalty and Enmity in Islam (December, 2002), which is reproduced in The Al Qaeda Reader:

Ibn Kathir said:

“The learned al-Bayhaqi narrated a hadith that was conveyed by Abdallah bin Shawdhab. He said: ‘The father of Abu Ubayda bin al-Jarrah was praising the idols to him on the day of [the battle] Badr. So Abu Ubayda began avoiding him. But when al-Jarrah’s persistence grew, his son, Abu Ubayda, attacked and slew him. Thus Allah revealed this verse in reference to him.’ And it has been firmly established in the authentic account [hadith of Bukhari] that he [Muhammad] said: ‘By him who holds my soul in his hand, none of you believes unless I am dearer to him than his father, his son, and all of mankind.’” (P. 72)

And:

Ibn Kathir:

“It was said that the phrase from the Most High–‘even if they be their fathers’–that it was revealed about Abu Ubayda when he slew his father at [the battle of] Badr; ‘their sons’ was about Abu Bakr [Muhammad’s successor and first caliph] when he intended to slay his son, Abd al-Rahman’ ‘their brothers’ was about Mus’ab bin Umayr, who slew his brother, Ubayd bin Umayr; ‘or their kin’ was about Omar, who slew one of his relatives. Also Hamza, Ali, and Ubayda bin al-Harith: They slew Utba, Sheeba, and al-Walid bin Uitba [their kin] at that battle. Allah knows [best].”

“Moreover, when the Messenger of Allah consulted with the Muslims regarding the captives of Badr, Abu Bakr advised that they should pay ransom, thereby enabling the Muslims to grow stronger. Also, since they [captives] were cousins and relatives, perhaps Allah Most High would have eventually guided them. But Omar said: ‘This goes against my thinking, O Messenger of Allah. Let me slay so-and-so (a relative of Omar), and let Ali [slay] Aquil [Ali’s brother], and so-and-so [slay] so-and-so–so that Allah may know that there is no love in our hearts for the idolaters…’ This is the whole story.

“Ibn Abbas said: ‘He strengthened them with a spirit from Himself’ [from 58:28 (sic)]– that is, He empowered them. “Within the saying of the Most High–‘Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him’ [from 58:28 (sic)]– is a marvelous, hidden meaning: When they [Muslims] became enraged at their relatives and kin in the Most High’s [cause], He rewarded them, by being pleased with them and making them pleased with Him.” (Pp. 75-76)

Ibn Hajar wrote concerning the meaning of Q. 58:22:

“Piety (birr), family links (sila) and excellent behavior (ihsan) do not presuppose mutual love and affection (al-tahabub wal-tawadud), which are both forbidden by the verse {You will not find a people believing in Allah and the Last Day who at the same time love (yuwaddun) those who defy Allah and the Prophet}, which includes both those who fight [against Muslims] and those who do not.” (Fath al-Bari (5:233), cited in

YUSUF AL-QARADAWI – ahlus sunnah wal jamah

)

Do Not Greet the Infidels

Muslims are not to even return the greetings of the unbelievers. Note, for instance, how the two renowned Muslim exegetes Jalals explained Q. 4:86:

And when you are greeted with a greeting, as when it is said to you, ‘Peace be upon you’, greet, the one that greeted you, with better than it, by responding to him with, ‘Peace be upon you, and God’s mercy and blessings’, or return it, by saying back to him what he said; in other words, it is a duty to greet in one of these two ways, the former being the preferred one. Surely God keeps count of, He holds [you] accountable for, all things, and requites accordingly, including things such as returning a greeting. The Sunna specifies that one should not return the greeting of an disbeliever, an innovator, a wicked person, and of the one that greets a person who is in the act of relieving himself, or one in the bath, or one eating – indeed it is actually disapproved with the exception of the last. To the disbeliever [who says ‘peace be upon you’] one should simply say, ‘And upon you’. (Tafsir al-Jalalayn https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=74&tsorano=4&tayahno=86&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2)

If this doesn’t plainly demonstrate Muhammad’s utter disdain of Jews and Christians then the next set of statements surely will:

Narrated Abu Hurayrah: Suhayl ibn Abu Salih said: I went out with my father to Syria. The people passed by the cloisters in which there were Christians and began to salute them. My father said: Do not give them salutation first, for Abu Hurayrah reported the Apostle of Allah as saying: Do not salute them (Jews and Christians) first, and when you meet them on the road, FORCE THEM TO GO TO THE NARROWEST PART OF IT. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 41, Number 5186 https://sunnah.com/abudawud:5205)

And:

1102. Abu Basra l-Ghifari reported that the Prophet said, “I will ride to the Jews tomorrow. Do not give them the greeting first. If they greet you, then say, ‘and on you.'”

1103. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet said, “Do not give the People of the Book the greeting first. Force them to the narrowest part of the road.” (Al-Adab al-Mufrad Al-Bukhari (Muslim Morals and Manners), XDIII. People of the Book)

Finally:

138. Chapter: On the prohibition against being the first to greet an unbeliever and how to return their greeting. The recommendation to greet the people of a mixed assembly of Muslims and unbelievers

866. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “Do not initiate the greeting to the Jews or the Christians. When you meet one of them in the road, force him to the narrowest part of it.” [Muslim] (Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous) https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:866)

The Salafi version has some rather interesting statements concerning the foregoing narration:

866: Commentary: This Hadith prohibits Muslims from greeting non-Muslims first. It also tells us that when the road is crowded, we should use the middle of the road and let the non-Muslims use its sides. This Hadith shows the dignity of Muslims and the disgrace and humiliation of the non-Muslims. (Riyad-us-Saliheen, compiled by Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi, commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, revised by M.R. Murad [Darussalam Publishers & Distributors, Riyadh, Houston, New York, Lahore, First Edition: June 1999], Five. The Book of Greetings, Chapter 138: Greeting the non-Muslims and Prohibition of taking an Initiative, Volume 2, p. 711; bold emphasis mine)

Muhammad hated Jews so much that he commanded that if any person called someone a Jew then that person had to be punished with twenty lashes!

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas

The Prophet said: “When a man calls another a Jew give him twenty lashes, when he calls someone a mukhannath give him twenty lashes; and kill anyone who has intercourse with a woman who is within the prohibited degrees.”

Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition. (Tirmidhi Hadith, Number 1024 https://www.alim.org/hadith/tirmidi/1024/)

Muhammad further taught that in the last days that even the stones and trees will assist Muslims in killing all the Jews:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar:

Allah’s Apostle said, “You (i.e. Muslims) will fight with the Jews till some of them will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, ‘O ‘Abdullah (i.e. slave of Allah)! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him.'” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 176 https://sunnah.com/bukhari:2925)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. “O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 177 https://sunnah.com/bukhari:2926)

Unbelievers Are the Worst of all Creatures

The Islamic scripture even goes so far as to say that disbelievers from among the polytheists, Jews and Christians are the worst creatures of them, even worse than dogs, swine, rats etc.!

Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst of creatures. (And) lo! those who believe and do good works are the best of created beings. S. 98:6-7 Pickthall

In fact, the only good polytheist, Jew or Christian is the one who believes in the Quran:

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. And when they listen to the revelation received by the Apostle, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognise the truth: they pray: “Our Lord! we believe; write us down among the witnesses. What cause can we have not to believe in God and the truth which has come to us, seeing that we long for our Lord to admit us to the company of the righteous?” And for this their prayer hath God rewarded them with gardens, with rivers flowing underneath, – their eternal home. Such is the recompense of those who do good. But those who reject Faith and belie our Signs, – they shall be companions of Hell-fire. S. 5:82-86 Y. Ali

Imitation of the Unbelievers is forbidden

Muhammad’s hatred for disbelievers, specifically the Jews and Christians, is further reinforced by the Quran’s expressly forbidding Muslims from imitating the laws, customs and practices of the infidels:

Is it a judgment of the time of (pagan) ignorance that they are seeking? Who is better than Allah for judgment to a people who have certainty (in their belief)? S. 5:50 Pickthall

And here is what Muhammad is reported to have said:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but (will be) the foremost on the Day of Resurrection though the former nations were given the Holy Scriptures before us. And this was their day (Friday) the celebration of which was made compulsory for them but they differed about it. So Allah gave us the guidance for it (Friday) and all the other people are behind us in this respect: the Jews’ (holy day is) tomorrow (i.e. Saturday) and the Christians’ (is) the day after tomorrow (i.e. Sunday).” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 1 https://sunnah.com/bukhari:876; see also Number 21)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, “Jews and Christians do not dye their hair so you should do the opposite of what they do.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 72, Number 786 https://sunnah.com/bukhari:5899)

Migrating to Islamic lands

The foregoing helps us appreciate why the Quran and sunnah exhort Muslims to migrate to Islamic countries, as opposed to living in the lands of the kufaar. And the reason why residence among the unbelievers is discouraged and Muslims are prohibited from dwelling in places dominated by unbelievers, is because this will end up affecting their religious devotion:

Verily! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): “In what (condition) were you?” They reply: “We were weak and oppressed on earth.” They (angels) say: “Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?” Such men will find their abode in Hell – What an evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way. For these there is hope that Allah will forgive them, and Allah is Ever Oft Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving. He who emigrates (from his home) in the Cause of Allah (Wa man yuhajir fee sabeel Allah), will find on earth many dwelling places and plenty to live by. And whosoever leaves his home as an emigrant unto Allah and His Messenger, and death overtakes him, his reward is then surely incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. S. 4:97- 100 Hilali-Khan

XCIX: “The angels ask those they take while they are wronging themselves, ‘What were your circumstances?’ They reply, ‘We were oppressed on earth.’ They say, ‘Was Allah’s earth not wide enough for you to have emigrated elsewhere in it?”” (4:97)

4320. It is related that Muhammad ibn ‘Abdu’r-Rahman Abu’l-Aswad said, “Conscription* for an expedition was forced on the people of Madina [by Ibn az-Zubayr] and I was put in it. I met ‘Ikrima, the client of Ibn ‘Abbas and told him. He forbade him to do that in the strongest possible terms. Then he said, ‘Ibn ‘Abbas reported to me that some of the Muslims were with the idolaters to increase the size of the idolaters in the time of the Messenger of Allah. An arrow would be shot and hit one of them and kill him, or he would be struck a blow and killed. Then Allah revealed, ‘The angels ask those they take while they are wronging themselves….’ (4:97)” (Aisha Bewley, The Sahih Collection of al-Bukhari, Chapter 68. Book of Tafsir http://bewley.virtualave.net/bukhari30.html)

The following was revealed regarding a group of people who submitted to Islam but did not emigrate and were then slain in the battle of Badr alongside the disbelievers: And those whom the angels take [in death], while they are wronging their souls, having remained among the disbelievers and neglected to emigrate, the angels will say, to them in rebuke: ‘What was your predicament?’, in other words, ‘in what circumstances were you with regard to your religion’. They will say, giving excuses, ‘We were oppressed, unable to establish religion, in the land’, the land of Mecca. The angels will say, to them in rebuke: ‘But was not God’s earth spacious that you might have emigrated therein?’, from the land of unbelief to another land, as others did? God, exalted be He, says: as for such, their abode shall be Hell — an evil journey’s end, it is! (Tafsir al-Jalalayn https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=74&tsorano=4&tayahno=97&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2; bold emphasis mine)

(Lo! as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wrong themselves…) [4:97]. This verse was revealed about some people in Mecca who professed Islam but did not migrate; they showed faith outwardly but were hypocrites inwardly. At the battle of Badr, they joined the idolaters in their fight against the Muslims and were killed therein. The angels struck their faces and backs and said to them that which Allah, exalted is He, has mentioned in this verse. Abu Bakr al-Harithi informed us> Abu’l-Shaykh al-Hafiz> Abu Yahya> Sahl ibn ‘Uthman> ‘Abd al-Rahim ibn Sulayman> Ash‘ath ibn Sawad> ‘Ikrimah> Ibn ‘Abbas who said with regard to the verse (Lo! as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wrong themselves…) which he recited to the end: “They were Muslims who were in Mecca. They went out with the idolaters to fight and were killed with them, and so this verse was revealed”. (Asbab al-Nuzul https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=86&tsorano=4&tayahno=97&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2; bold emphasis mine)

(… and whoso forsaketh his home, a fugitive unto Allah and His messenger…) [4:100]. Said Ibn ‘Abbas, according to the report of ‘Ata’: “‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf was used to inform the [Muslims from among the] people of Mecca about anything that was revealed about them in the Qur’an. And so he wrote the verse, (Lo! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wrong themselves…) [4:97]. When the Muslims read it, Habib ibn Damrah al-Laythi, who was an old man, said to his sons: ‘I am not one of the oppressed so take me, for I would not be able to find the way on my own’. His sons transported him on an elevated seat and headed toward Medina. When he got to al- Tan‘im, death descended on him. He clapped his right hand on his left and said: ‘O Allah, this is for you and this is for your Messenger. I pledge allegiance to you regarding that which I pledge allegiance to your Messenger, Allah bless him and give him peace’, and he died an easy death. When his news reached the Companions of the Messenger, Allah bless him and give him peace, they said: ‘His reward would have been more complete had he reached Medina’, and so Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse”. Abu Hassan al-Muzani informed us> Harun ibn Muhammad ibn Harun> Ishaq ibn Muhammad al-Khuza‘i> Abu’l-Walid al-Azraqi> his grandfather> Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah> ‘Amr ibn Dinar> ‘Ikrimah who said: “There were some people in Mecca who were convinced in Islam but could not migrate. When the battle of Badr happened, they were forced to take part in it and were killed fighting with the idolaters, and so Allah, exalted is He, revealed (Lo! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wrong themselves) up to His words (As for such, it may be that Allah will pardon them…) [4:99]. Those in Medina wrote to those Muslims in Mecca, informing them of this. A man from Banu Bakr, who was sick, said: ‘Take me to al-Rawha’’, and they took him there. He left with the intention of going to Medina. But when he reached al-Hashas he died, and so Allah, exalted is He, revealed (… and whoso forsaketh his home, a fugitive unto Allah and His messenger…)”. (Asbab al-Nuzul https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=86&tsorano=4&tayahno=100&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2; bold emphasis mine)

Narrated Samurah ibn Jundub:

To proceed, the Apostle of Allah said: Anyone who associates with a polytheist and lives with him is like him. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 14, Number 2781 https://sunnah.com/abudawud:2787)

Deception and Concealment: Unmasking Islam’s real agenda

Now if Islam strictly forbids Muslims from migrating to the lands of the kufaar then why do we have Muslims living in the west? Before we address this issue we need to be careful not to paint all Muslims with the same brush. Many, if not most, Muslims come to the west seeking a better life for themselves and their families. A majority of them migrate here since they realize that there are greater opportunities for them to succeed and advance in life. Yet these same Muslims are, for the most part, not well educated on what the authentic Islamic source material teaches concerning associating and living with the disbelievers. Many of them may actually believe that Islam permits, if not commands, them to love and respect the unbelievers provided that the disbelievers do not attack the Muslims. There may even be among these Muslims certain individuals who do know what the Islamic references say concerning hating the disbelievers but are persuaded that these statements refer to antagonists who seek to destroy Islam and will therefore interpret these texts in light of this presupposition.

Yet there are those Muslims who do know what Islam actually teaches concerning the treatment of disbelievers and associating with them. These individuals are aware that the Quran and the Sunna of their prophet expressly forbids them from imitating and living among the unbelievers. They know that they are commanded to hate the kufaar and to ring them under the control of Islam. Knowing all this why are these Muslims here? Why are they living in the midst of those whom Allah hates and wants to debase? The answer is rather simple.

These specific Muslims are here to work within the freedoms and rights afforded to them by the West in order to create the conditions that will empower the Muslims to gain the upperhand and eventually bring the entire western hemisphere to its knees. Their plan includes using lies and deceptions for the purpose of concealing their real agenda until they feel that they have amassed enough resources and manpower to strike at the west and subjugate it to the rule of Islam:

Let not the Believers take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from God: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But God cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to God… Say: “If ye do love God, Follow me: God will love you and forgive you your sins: For God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Say: “Obey God and His Apostle”: But if they turn back, God loveth not those who reject Faith. S. 3:28, 31-32 Y. Ali

The Prohibition of Supporting the Disbelievers

Allah prohibited His believing servants from becoming supporters of the disbelievers, or to take them as comrades with whom they develop friendships, rather than the believers. Allah warned against such behavior when He said…

<And whoever does that, will never be helped by Allah in any way> meaning, whoever commits this act that Allah has prohibited, then Allah will discard him. Similarly, Allah said…

<O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies as friends, showing affection towards them>, until…

<And whosoever of you does that, then indeed he has gone astray from the straight path.> [60:1]. Allah said…

<O you who believe! Take not for friends disbelievers instead of believers. Do you wish to offer Allah a manifest proof against yourselves> [4:144], and…

<O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as friends, they are but friends of each other. And whoever befriends them, then surely, he is one of them.> [5:51]. Allah said, after mentioning the fact that the faithful believers gave their support to the faithful believers among the Muhajirin, Ansar and Bedouins…

<And those who disbelieve are allies of one another, (and) if you do not behave the same, there will be Fitnah and oppression on the earth, and a great mischief and corruption.> [8:73]. Allah said next…

<unless you indeed fear a danger from them> meaning, except those believers who in some areas or times fear for their safety from the disbelievers. In this case, such believers are allowed to show friendship to the disbelievers OUTWARDLY, but never inwardly. For instance, Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Ad-Darda’ said, “We smile in the face of some people ALTHOUGH OUR HEARTS CURSE THEM.” Al-Bukhari said that Al- Hasan said, “The TUQYAH is allowed until the Day of Resurrection…” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir https://www.alim.org/quran/tafsir/ibn-kathir/surah/3/28/; bold, capital emphasis mine)

Here, again, are some quotes from al-Zawahiri’s letter to the Muslims taken from The Al Qaeda Reader:

A. The Difference Between Befriending and Dissembling The sharia differentiates between befriending infidels, which is forbidden, and fearing their evil. Allah Most High said … [3:28] … “Kashr” [word rendered “grin” in al- Darda’s hadith] means to display one’s teeth while smiling. He [Ibn Kathir] also says regarding the Word of the Most High… [66:11] …

“Allah provided this instance to show the believers that no harm will come to them should they intermingle with the infidels whenever they have need of them. As the Most High said: ‘Let believers not take for friends and allies infidels rather than believers: whoever does this shall have no relationship left with Allah–unless you but guard yourselves against them, taking precaution’ [3:28].”

Al-Qurtubi said:

“Mua’dh bin Jabal and Mujahid say, ‘Taqiyya [self-preservation through dissembling] was a novelty of Islam before the Muslims grew strong. But today Allah has ennobled Islam to overcome its enemies.’ Ibn Abbas said: ‘He but speaks with his tongue, but his heart is secure in faith; he murders not nor does he commit any sin.’ Al-Hasan says: ‘Taqiyya is acceptable till the Day of Judgment–but not if it causes the death [of fellow Muslims].’

“Thus it is said that if a believer resides with the infidels, and if he fears for himself, he should cajole with his tongue, while his heart remains secure in its faith. However, taqiyya is permitted only should one fear being killed, scarred, or severely harmed. But whoever is forced into apostasy, it is his right to resist and refuse to respond to any utterance of infidelity, if he can.” Al-Tabari said [regarding the verse] … [3:28].

“Only when you are in their power, fearing for your selves, are you to demonstrate friendship for them with your tongues, whilst harboring hostility toward them. But do not join them in the particulars of their infidelity, and do not aid them through any action against a Muslim.” (Pp. 73-74; bold emphasis mine)

And:

To conclude: Should a Muslim encounter circumstances that expose him to murder, scarring, or severe injury, he may utter some words [i.e., lie] to stay the infidels’ torments. But he must not undertake any initiative to support them, commit sin, or enable them through any deed or killing or fighting against the Muslims. Nobler for him that he should endure torments, even if they are the cause of his death. (P. 75)

Finally:

10. SUMMARY

A. Allah Exalted has forbidden us from taking infidels as friends and allies, and aiding them against the believers, by either word or deed. Whoever does this is an infidel like them. Sharia law allows [through the doctrine of taqiyya] whoever fears being killed, scarred, or severely harmed to say whatever will prevent the infidels from harming him–without making them intimates, and without helping them against Muslims, either by way of action, murder, or fighting. But the better way is be steadfast and endure. (Pp. 99-100)

The Holy Bible has Spoken!

Examining what the Word of God really teaches about loving unbelievers

Here’s what God’s true Word says about how believers are to treat unbelievers:

“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.” Exodus 23:4-5

“If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him I have not let my mouth sin by asking for his life with a curse),” Job 31:29-30

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:14-21

FURTHER READING

Is Islam a religion of Peace?

Islam Hates You

Is ISIS Islamic? Part 1: Jesus’ Kingdom versus Muhammad’s Kingdom

Part 2: Muhammad Did It, ISIS Does It

Part 3: Understanding Islam and ISIS Today

Muhammad and the Murder of Abu Afak

Muhammad and the Murder of Asma bint Marwan

The Deception and Murder of Kab al-Ashraf

Muhammad and the Death of Kinana

Muhammad and the Death of the Uraynians

Muhammad and the Killing of Apostates