Signs of Loving the Disbelievers
After understanding the limits of friendship and enmity, it should be known that Islam has clearly stated the signs of friendship and enmity. (Keeping these signs in mind, every person can measure themselves to see how much they meet the standards of friendship and enmity in Islam.)
Below we explain those matters which are evidence of friendship and love for the disbelievers, which are as follows:
(1) Imitation of clothing and speech:
That is, if we imitate the dress and speech of a nation, it means we are expressing our love for them, because resembling a nation in dress and speech is proof of love for them. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم”
Translation: Whoever imitates a people is counted among them.
Hence, adopting the habits, worship, morals, and customs of the disbelievers, which have become their distinguishing features, is forbidden. For example: shaving the beard, keeping long mustaches, unnecessarily speaking their language, imitating their dress, and adopting their ways of eating and drinking, etc.
(2) Residing in their regions:
That is, permanently residing in the lands of the disbelievers and avoiding settling in the lands of the Muslims is also a sign of love for them.
Whereas merely escaping from the lands of the disbelievers for the protection of one’s religion and settling in the land of the Muslims is a Shariah requirement. In fact, migrating for the achievement of this great purpose is the Shariah duty of every Muslim, because residing in the land of disbelief is a sign of love for the disbelievers. This is why Allah Almighty has declared it forbidden for a Muslim, if he is capable of migration, to remain among the disbelievers.
Allah Almighty said:
﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ ظَالِمِي أَنفُسِهِمْ قَالُوا فِيمَ كُنتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا كُنَّا مُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ قَالُوا أَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةً فَتُهَاجِرُوا فِيهَا ۚ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا . إِلَّا الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلًا.﴾
Translation: Those who wrong themselves, when the angels take their souls, they ask them: “In what condition were you?” They say: “We were weak in the land.” The angels say: “Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to migrate therein?” For such people, the abode is Hell, and evil is the destination. Except for the weak men, women, and children who have no way and do not know the way, it is likely that Allah will forgive them, and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
From these verses, it is understood that those who reside in the land of disbelief have no acceptable excuse before Allah Almighty, except those who are weak and do not have the power to migrate; they are given some concession. Similarly, those who have some religious interest in residing in the land of disbelief are also exempted. For example: those who are engaged in calling to Allah and spreading Islam in those areas. (Indeed, this is a great jihad.)
(3) Traveling to the lands of disbelievers merely for entertainment:
Traveling to the lands of disbelievers is impermissible, except in cases of severe necessity, such as for treatment, trade, or for the purpose of acquiring beneficial knowledge that cannot be obtained without such travel. In these circumstances, it is permissible to travel to the lands of disbelievers to the extent necessary, and once the need is fulfilled, it is obligatory to immediately return to one’s own lands.
However, the condition for the permissibility of this travel is that the traveler must have the dominance of their Islamic faith. They should avoid places of evil and corruption and have aversion to them, be vigilant and cautious of the enemy’s deceit and treachery. Similarly, traveling to the lands of disbelievers for the purpose of inviting to Allah and propagating Islam is permissible and, in some cases, obligatory.
(4) Assisting disbelievers and defending them against Muslims:
This is also a sign of love for the disbelievers, rather this act is detestable and deprives a person of the wealth of Islam and plays a prominent role in making him an apostate. We seek refuge in Allah from this disease.
(5)Seeking help from disbelievers and trusting them, appointing them to positions related to the secret affairs of Muslims, and making them your confidant or advisor:
These are all signs of their love. Reflect on the command of Allah Almighty:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا بِطَانَةً مِّن دُونِكُمْ لَا يَأْلُونَكُمْ خَبَالًا وَدُّوا مَا عَنِتُّمْ قَدْ بَدَتِ الْبَغْضَاءُ مِنْ أَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَمَا تُخْفِي صُدُورُهُمْ أَكْبَرُ ۚ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ . هَا أَنتُمْ أُولَاءِ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِبُّونَكُمْ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْكِتَابِ كُلِّهِ وَإِذَا لَقُوكُمْ قَالُوا آمَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا عَضُّوا عَلَيْكُمُ الْأَنَامِلَ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ۚ قُلْ مُوتُوا بِغَيْظِكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ . إِن تَمْسَسْكُمْ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ وَإِن تُصِبْكُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَفْرَحُوا بِهَا.﴾
Translation: O believers! Do not take a disbeliever as an intimate friend. They do not fail to harm you and desire that you suffer. Their tongues have shown their enmity, and what is hidden in their hearts is even greater. If you have understanding, We have explained Our verses to you clearly. See, you are such (pure-hearted) people who befriend them, while they do not befriend you, and you all believe in the scriptures (while they do not accept your scripture). When they meet you, they say, “We believe,” but when they are alone, they bite their fingers in anger at you. Say to them, “Die in your rage.” Allah is well aware of what is in your hearts. If you find comfort, it displeases them, and if you suffer harm, they rejoice.
These noble verses clearly reveal how much hatred and enmity the disbelievers harbor in their hearts against the Muslims. They continuously devise schemes and policies of deceit and treachery against the Muslims. Using every trick and means, keeping the Muslims afflicted has become their favorite pastime. After gaining the trust of Muslims through deceit and trickery, they engage in planning their harm and humiliation.
Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, narrated from Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari, may Allah be pleased with him, who said that he asked Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, “I have a Christian scribe.” The Commander of the Faithful said:
“May Allah destroy you. What made you think of keeping a Christian scribe? Have you not heard Allah’s command: O believers! Do not take Jews and Christians as allies. They are allies of one another. Why did you not keep a Muslim scribe?” I said, “Commander of the Faithful, his religion is his concern; I only need his writing skills.” He said:
“Those whom Allah has disgraced and humiliated, I cannot honor, and those whom Allah has kept away from us, I cannot bring close to myself.”
This is in Musnad Ahmad and Sahih Muslim.
When the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, set out for the Battle of Badr, a polytheist also accompanied him. At the place of Harrah, he expressed his desire to participate in the battle. The Prophet, peace be upon him, asked, “Do you believe in Allah and His Messenger?” He said no. The Prophet said, “Return; we do not seek help from a polytheist.”
These evidences make it clear that appointing disbelievers to any position related to Muslim affairs is forbidden because they can easily obtain information about the Muslims’ conditions and secrets and then plot to harm them.
Nowadays, disbelievers are being brought to Muslim lands and the two holy sanctuaries as laborers, craftsmen, drivers, or servants. They live mixed lives with Muslims in their areas and are even kept as tutors in homes, living mixed lives with Muslim families. This practice today is no different from the previous one in terms of prohibition and disastrous consequences.
(6) Adopting the prevalent history among the disbelievers:
Meaning, adopting the history that is prevalent and in use in the lands of disbelief is also a sign of love for them. Especially such history that represents any of their occasions or festivals, for example: the Gregorian calendar.
Gregorian calendar:
It is in commemoration of the birth of Jesus (peace be upon him). This calendar was invented by the Christians themselves and has no connection with the religion of Jesus (peace be upon him). Therefore, the custom and use of this calendar is equivalent to participating with them in reviving their poems and festivals.
When the Commander of the Faithful, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), and the companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) intended to establish a calendar for the Muslims, they rejected all the prevalent calendars of the disbelievers and set the date of the migration (Hijra) of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
This proves that establishing a calendar and opposing such characteristics of the disbelievers is a religious duty. And Allah is the One Whose help is sought.
(7) Participation in the festivals of the disbelievers
Participating in the festivals of disbelievers, cooperating with them in organizing their festivals, or sending them congratulatory messages on the occasion of their festivals, all these are signs of friendship and love towards them.
Allah Almighty has also described one characteristic of His righteous servants as:
﴿وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ﴾
اي من صفات عباد الرحمن انهم لا يحضرون اعياد الكفار (Falsehood includes participating in gatherings that are based on innovation; such gatherings are founded on falsehood, are opposed to Allah’s religion, and are definitely not in the interest of the religion.)
One meaning of this is that the righteous servants of the Most Merciful do not attend the festivals and celebrations of disbelievers.
(8) Praising disbelievers and promoting their civilization and culture
That is, praising the disbelievers and appreciating their civilization and culture while ignoring their false beliefs, and being pleased with their morals and skills, all these are signs of love for them.
Allah Almighty said:
﴿وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ﴾
Translation: (And do not overlook those whom We have made to enjoy the adornments of the worldly life, so that We may test them; but the provision of your Lord is better and everlasting.)
But this by no means means that Muslims should abandon their strength and means of stability; rather, it is their religious duty to acquire education in various industries, adopt legitimate ways to strengthen the economy, and learn military and combat techniques compatible with the demands of the present age.
Allah Almighty said:
﴿وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ﴾
Translation: (And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and
﴿قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِ وَالطَّيِّبَاتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ ۚ قُلْ هِيَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا خَالِصَةً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ﴾
﴿وَسَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مِّنْهُ﴾
﴿هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا﴾
(9) Naming after disbelievers:
Some Muslims give their sons and daughters foreign names and abandon the names of their ancestors or names that are well-known in their society. However, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
خير الأسماء عبد الله وعبد الرحمن
Translation: (The best names are Abdullah and Abdur-Rahman).
Due to the widespread prevalence of this disease of changing names, entire Muslim generations have emerged bearing Western names. As a result, ties with previous generations were severed, and the connection with families who maintained their distinctive Islamic names was lost.
(10) Praying for disbelievers:
Praying for forgiveness and mercy for the disbelievers is also a sign of love for them. Allah Almighty has declared it forbidden and said:
﴿مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن يَسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوا أُولِي قُرْبَىٰ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ﴾
Translation: (It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they are their relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the inhabitants of Hellfire.)
The reason for the prohibition of this prayer is very clear, which is that praying is a sign of love for them. It also indicates that the polytheists are established on the correct belief. (Whereas shirk and polytheists are extremely vile and filthy.)
