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

Question

What do you think of this quote?

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."

http://www.answering-christianity.com/friends.htm

Answer 1

Allah The Almighty did not prohibit having friendship relationships with the non-Muslims; on contrary He urged Muslims to have relations with non-Muslims who do not feel hating Islam. For example, He says in The Noble Quran :"The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them. (Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time when you have given their due Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), desiring chastity (i.e. taking them in legal wedlock) not committing illegal sexual intercourse, nor taking them as girl-friends."Sûrat Al-Mâ’idah( 5-5).
So, Muslims are allowed to have friendships with non-Muslims, eat food together and Muslim males can get married to Jews and Christians.This shows to what extent Islam is tolerant and seeks peace between peoples on the earth notwithstanding their religions.

Answer 2

There is another way of interpreting the commandment in the Holy Book.People of the Scriptures are not the Jews and Christians alone.Add Hindu, add Zoroastrians,add .., add .. The prohibition for Muslim lady is to marry a Polytheist only. By a corollary,she may wed a person of the other Faith if he proclaims that he is a monotheist as defined in Islam..and not a polytheist as defined likewise.

Answer 3

I'm afraid I need to disagree. It can be that you can't have alliance with Non-Muslims. This is strongly proved by the Sunnah, which shows clearly that Jews of Madinah were the allies of Muslims, as well as the Quraish through the Charter of Madinah and Treaty of Hudaibiyah respectively. Also, a Charter for Christians was signed when the need came
It is better explained as 'confidants' or 'guardians of a secret'. This means that you can definitely be friends with non-Muslims, except that sharing intimate or important secrets with a non-Muslims is not encouraged, since it is apparent through history that non-Muslims (Certainly not all, I have a Christian friend) generally backstab Muslims.

Answer 4

ERR'D... Stop taking the Quran out of context and what your talking about isn't Islam nor a religious phenomenon.. That's culture and sometimes the nature of man. Now you tell me why the blacks and whites were segregated before? Now don't tell me that came from Islam. you cant take the opinions of a MUSLIM to degrade ISLAM.. two different things.

Peace

Answer 5

Unbelievers are those that do not believe in God, not people that are Christians, Jews or Catholics etc etc. Please do not generalize Non-Muslims (this is for others that have posted after your question brother) into one category.We are told to help bring the non-believers to Islam, though it is hard to associate with people who have little or no faith in God, and do not wish to listen to the message. If God wishes one to be a believer, He opens their hearts, it is His will and His will alone.

Answer 6

No. I am Muslim, my family, sisters... I have friends who are christians, and there`s nothing wrong. Allah said that muslims and people from other religions can`t hate each other. They must respect each other. But muslims are due to invite people from other religions to accept Islam.

Answer 7

Christianity does not say anything like that and even less about not taking Muslims as friends.

Answer 8

5:51
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.

3.28
Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah.

what if this was vs versa
what if the none muslims had a book together that said kill the muslims wherever u find them. cut her necks and hands whever u find them. wont like that would ya'll?

but Jesus told us to love our enemies no harm them.

Answer 9

My parents were Christian. I have Christian family members and friends. I pray that Almighty God Allah extends forgiveness to all of them for their mistakes and grants them Paradise.

Answer 10

Muslims aren't backstabbed by non-Muslims.

hidden soul has it backwards