Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 118

(Ayah 118) ➊ { ”بِطَانَةً“ } Hidden thing and the garment that is worn next to the body under the outer garment, meaning intimate friend, special confidant. This is a verbal noun from {’’ نَصَرَ‘‘}, and is used for both singular and plural. { ”مِنْ دُوْنِكُمْ“ } (except for your sincere Muslims) is connected to «يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِنْ تُطِيْعُوْا فَرِيْقًا مِّنَ الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوا الْكِتٰبَ يَرُدُّوْكُمْ بَعْدَ اِيْمَانِكُمْ كٰفِرِيْنَ» [ آل عمران : ۱۰۰ ] and in this, inclination towards the disbelievers and friendship with them has been prohibited. Tabari has narrated with a sound chain from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both): "Some men among the Muslims used to have relations and connections with the Jews, because before Islam they were neighbors and allies, so Allah revealed these verses and forbade them from making them their inner confidants and intimate friends. Because in this (disclosure of secrets and) there was a severe danger of tribulation from their side."

Ibn Abi Hatim has also mentioned with a sound chain that it was said to Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) that there is a young scribe from the people of Hira who is trustworthy, you should appoint him as a scribe (secretary). He said: "Then I would be making { ”بِطَانَةً“ } (confidant) other than the believers." [ ابن أبی حاتم : 147/3، ح : ۴۰۸۷ ] Abu Musa Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: "I said to Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): I have a Christian scribe." He said: "May Allah destroy you, what have you done? Have you not heard Allah's statement: «يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُوْدَ وَ النَّصٰرٰۤى اَوْلِيَآءَ بَعْضُهُمْ اَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ» [ المائدۃ : ۵۱ ] Why did you not appoint a Muslim?" I said: "O Commander of the Faithful! I only need his writing, his religion is for him." Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "When Allah has disgraced them, I cannot honor them; when Allah has humiliated them, I cannot give them respect; when Allah has distanced them, I cannot bring them near." [ السنن الکبریٰ للبیہقی : 127/10، ح : ۲۰۹۱۱، وھو حسن ]

The words { ”مِنْ دُوْنِكُمْ“ } (other than yourselves) are general, Jews, Christians, hypocrites, and polytheists are all included in { ”مِنْ دُوْنِكُمْ“ }, therefore, it is prohibited to appoint any hypocrite or non-Muslim (dhimmi) in administrative affairs. Because there is a danger of the secrets of the Muslims being exposed. In fact, it is not even permissible for a Muslim to live in the land of the polytheists. See Surah An-Nisa (97, 98)

It is unfortunate that at this time, the rulers of Muslim countries have set aside this command of Allah and non-Muslims are appointed to their key positions and are aware of almost all important secrets, the result is before everyone.

➋ {لَا يَاْلُوْنَكُمْ:} {’’ أَلَا يَأْلُوْ (ن)‘‘} To decrease, to fall short. { ”خَبَالًا“ } To cause corruption, to harm. {”مَا عَنِتُّم“ ’’عَنَتٌ‘‘} Hardship, difficulty, meaning "that which causes you hardship." This points to the reason for the command not to make intimate friends, that is, although these people, due to their hypocrisy, do not want to say such things to you by which you may know their enmity towards Islam, but due to intense enmity, such words do slip from their tongues, from which you can estimate that they are not your well-wishers but your worst enemies, and the feelings they hide in their hearts against you are much greater than this.

➌ {قَدْ بَيَّنَّا …:} That is, regarding not making friends with the disbelievers, we have explained in detail the malice and enmity of the Jews and hypocrites and their deep jealousy. Now it is your job to reflect and ponder.