This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Kilani's book "Al-Wala Wal-Bara" .
Before explaining the Islamic rulings regarding Al-Bara, we consider it necessary to clarify the following two matters:
① The difference between disbelievers who are enemies of Islam and disbelievers who are not enemies.
② The difference between Jihad and terrorism.
[1] The difference between disbelievers who are enemies of Islam and disbelievers who are not enemies:
Islam has not commanded treating all disbelievers in the same way; rather, it has differentiated between Islam-hostile disbelievers and non-hostile disbelievers and has given separate instructions regarding both. Among the non-hostile disbelievers, there can also be two types of people: one type consists of those who are completely harmless to Muslims and do not harbor any enmity or hostility towards Muslims, nor do they obstruct the path of inviting to Islam, spreading Islam, or the dominance of Islam.
The second type consists of those who are not only harmless to Muslims but, due to their natural nobility and sense of justice, also protest against the oppression and injustice inflicted upon Muslims. Although the second type of people is always fewer in number, in every era and place, some such people are always present. During the blessed era of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the cruel economic boycott of Muslims in the Shi'b Abi Talib ended after three years due to five influential personalities, all of whom were disbelievers. However, seeing the unjust oppression and cruelty against Muslims, their conscience was awakened, and it was through their initiative that this ruthless series of oppression ended.
According to Islamic teachings, the second type of people are certainly deserving of the highest degree of goodness and kindness, but Islam has also encouraged kindness, mercy, and good treatment towards the first type of harmless disbelievers. Allah Almighty says: [لَا یَنۡہٰىکُمُ اللّٰہُ عَنِ الَّذِیۡنَ لَمۡ یُقَاتِلُوۡکُمۡ فِی الدِّیۡنِ وَ لَمۡ یُخۡرِجُوۡکُمۡ مِّنۡ دِیَارِکُمۡ اَنۡ تَبَرُّوۡہُمۡ وَ تُقۡسِطُوۡۤا اِلَیۡہِمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یُحِبُّ الۡمُقۡسِطِیۡنَ] Translation: Allah does not forbid you from being kind and just to those who have not fought you because of religion and have not expelled you from your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.
Reference: (Surah Al-Mumtahina:8)
Surely, there will be reward and recompense for dealing justly and kindly with harmless and non-hostile disbelievers. (For details, see the chapter "The Command to Treat Harmless Disbelievers Well" in this book.) It is worth remembering here that the Shariah has indeed commanded kindness and justice towards harmless and non-hostile disbelievers, but it has not permitted heartfelt love and friendship with them. This is because heartfelt love and friendship (al-wala') is the right only of Allah, His Messenger, and the believers.
As for Islam-hostile disbelievers who want to defeat Islam, prevent people from coming to Islam, inflict mountains of oppression on Muslims, and seek to wipe them off the face of existence, the Shariah has given separate teachings regarding them. All the rulings and issues mentioned under "al-bara'" in this book pertain only to Islam-hostile disbelievers.
It should also be kept in mind that enmity, expressing hatred and disassociation, severing ties, and then, as the situation demands, fighting and jihad against disbelievers have not been commanded because of their disbelief per se, but because of their crime of obstructing the path of Islam, wanting to defeat Islam, inflicting mountains of oppression on Muslims, shedding their blood, exiling them, and destroying their homes and properties.
② Difference between Jihad and Terrorism:
The enemies of Islam, the disbelievers who are obstructing the path of Islam, trying to overpower and erase Islam, and for this purpose are inflicting mountains of oppression and cruelty on Muslims, it is obligatory to wage jihad (i.e., fighting) against them. Breaking the power of the disbelievers, protecting Muslims from their oppression, and taking revenge for their cruelty is only possible through jihad. However, it must be kept in mind that jihad in Islam, in terms of its objectives and purposes, is an act of worship just like prayer, fasting, and charity. Just as Shariah has set principles and rules for performing prayer and fasting, similarly, Shariah has also established principles and rules for jihad. Jihad will only become an act of worship when it is carried out according to the principles and rules set by Shariah. Among these principles, the most important is that the revenge should be taken from those enemies of Islam who are actively fighting against Muslims, and not from harmless disbelievers who are not engaged in fighting.
❀ In one battle, a woman was killed. When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) learned about it, he inquired: The woman was not fighting, then why was she killed? Consequently, the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave the order for the future that no woman or laborer should be killed.
Reference: (Abu Dawood:2669)
❀ When sending the army of Usama, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also instructed Sayyidna Usama (may Allah be pleased with him), "Do not kill any child, old person, or ascetic." This means that fighting should only be against those enemies of Islam who are actively engaged in war.
Regarding this, the second point is that in the current situation, where the enemies of Islam are using every legitimate and illegitimate means with full planning to overpower Islam and Muslims worldwide, it is an established fact that the entire Muslim Ummah deeply hates the insensitivity and criminal silence of their rulers and desires that the leadership of the Muslim Ummah should come into the hands of those who can confront the disbelievers boldly. The disbelievers are not only well aware of the situation in Muslim countries but also want to create conflict and clashes between the rulers and the people of Muslim countries so that these countries fall into chaos and instability, which will ultimately benefit only the disbelievers.
In our opinion, Muslim rulers should be pressured by the people using all means permitted by the laws and constitution of the country to change their policies, but under no circumstances should actions be taken that might cause conflict and clashes between the rulers and the people. Such actions will not be called jihad but terrorism. Our enemy (Jews, Christians, and Hindus) is very cunning and deceitful. We do not merely suspect but are certain that all the destructive activities occurring in Muslim countries are part of the plans of our enemies. No Muslim can even imagine killing an innocent child, old person, or woman, let alone entering mosques or imambaras and mercilessly killing worshippers or targeting scholars. By carrying out such acts in Muslim countries, the enemy wants to prove that the mujahideen are actually terrorists, whom Muslim rulers should get rid of at any cost. It is necessary to remain fully alert to this situation.
Remember! Jihad is the path of sacrifice and success, while terrorism is the path of destruction and failure. Jihad is a cause of reward and blessing, whereas terrorism is a cause of sin and punishment. It is very important to maintain this distinction.
The prohibition of friendship with disbelievers: In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has repeatedly forbidden friendship and love with enemies of Islam.
Observe the translation of a few verses:
① O people who have believed! Do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies; they are allies of one another. And whoever among you takes them as allies is surely one of them.
Reference: (Surah Al-Ma'idah:51)
② O people who have believed! Do not take disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do you wish to give Allah against yourselves a clear proof?
Reference: (Surah An-Nisa:144)
③ Do not take disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Whoever does so has no connection with Allah.
Reference: (Surah Aal Imran:28)
④ O people who have believed! Do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies.
Reference: (Surah Al-Mumtahanah:1)
⑤ O people who have believed! Do not take your fathers and your brothers as allies if they prefer disbelief over faith.
Reference: (Surah At-Tawbah:23)
⑥ Those who, leaving the believers, take disbelievers as allies—announce to such hypocrites a painful punishment.
Reference: (Surah An-Nisa:138-139)
⑦ In Surah Hud, merely looking at the beliefs, ideologies, culture, and civilization of the disbelievers with favor is warned with the torment of Hell. Allah the Exalted says: Do not incline toward the wrongdoers, lest the Fire touch you.
Reference: (Surah Hud:113)
❀ Here naturally arises the question: Why has Allah forbidden friendship and love with disbelievers so strictly and severely? In the world, there are unavoidable necessities such as trade, diplomatic relations, and travel between Islamic and non-Islamic countries. Then why has Allah put Muslims through such a severe test? Allah Himself has answered this question at various places in the Holy Quran.
A few places are presented:
① The disbelievers want you to become disbelievers just as they themselves are disbelievers so that you and they may be equal.
Reference: (Surah An-Nisa:89)
② O people who have believed! Do not take anyone other than your believing companions as your confidants, for they do not fail to destroy you. They take delight in what causes you distress; their hatred is evident from their tongues, and what is hidden in their hearts is far greater.
Reference: (Surah Aal Imran:118)
✿ In the mentioned verse, Allah Almighty has explained four fundamental reasons for enmity with the disbelievers.
① The disbelievers want to destroy Muslims at any cost.
② The disbelievers take pleasure in the suffering of Muslims.
③ The disbelievers harbor intense hatred against Muslims.
④ The enmity hidden in their hearts is far greater than the enmity they express.
❀ Consider this! If a person truly becomes certain that the one he is about to befriend is so hostile that he seeks to destroy him and takes pleasure in his suffering, would any honorable and sensible person be willing to befriend such an enemy? Certainly not!
Rather, everyone would want to eliminate such a dangerous enemy as soon as possible. But alas, in our condition, Allah the Exalted has repeatedly warned us clearly about the intense enmity of the disbelievers in matters of religion, yet instead of benefiting from this, we have become blind and deaf.
③ At another place, Allah, Glorified and Exalted, says: You love them, but they do not love you. You believe in all the revealed books, and when they meet you, they say, "We believe (in your book and your Messenger) too," but when they are apart from you, their rage and hatred are such that they gnaw their fingers. Say to them, "Burn in your rage! Indeed, Allah knows what is in the hearts."
Reference: (Surah Aal Imran:119)
❀ In this verse, Allah Almighty has also stated a solid reality that every Muslim today witnesses with open eyes: Muslims consider disbelievers their friends and love them, accepting all their words, while the disbelievers increasingly express rage and hatred against Muslims, entangling them in more and more difficulties and hardships, and are planning to inflict various oppressions on them in the future. But it is a pity for the Muslims that despite seeing everything with their own eyes, they disregard the commands of Allah.
④ Allah Almighty has informed us about the enemies of Islam, the disbelievers, to the extent that they want to obliterate your religion. Allah says: The disbelievers want to extinguish Allah’s light (Islam) with their mouths.
Reference: (Surah As-Saff:8)
❀ The reality is that for any honorable and wise person, the list of crimes committed by an enemy is enough to seek revenge and bring him to justice, and we have mentioned this list on previous pages. However, the list of crimes of the disbelievers mentioned in the Holy Quran is far longer. This is why Allah Almighty has not only strictly forbidden Muslims from befriending, uniting with, or accepting the words of disbelievers but has gone a step further by commanding hatred, aversion, severance, and enmity towards them. Allah says: Indeed, Abraham and those with him are a clear example for you when they said to their people, "Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship besides Allah. We have denied you, and there has arisen between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone."
Reference: (Surah Al-Mumtahina:4)
❀ From this verse of Surah Al-Mumtahina, the following three points are understood:
① It is obligatory for Muslims to clearly express aversion and hatred towards the disbelief of the disbelievers.
② Muslims should openly express their enmity, hostility, and aversion towards disbelievers until they believe in the One Allah.
③ The verse also indicates that "Al-Wala’ wal-Bara’" (loyalty and disavowal) is a permanent law and principle of Islamic Shariah, which was the same for previous nations as it is for the Ummah of Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Some examples of the Prophets regarding "Al-Bara'".
❀ Our master Noah (peace be upon him) interceded before Allah Almighty for his disbelieving son out of paternal affection and love during the flood, but when he realized that this was not pleasing to Allah Almighty, he immediately disassociated from him and said before Allah Almighty: [رَبِّ اِنِّیۡۤ اَعُوۡذُ بِکَ اَنۡ اَسۡـَٔلَکَ مَا لَـیۡسَ لِیۡ بِہٖ عِلۡمٌ ؕ وَ اِلَّا تَغۡفِرۡ لِیۡ وَ تَرۡحَمۡنِیۡۤ اَکُنۡ مِّنَ الۡخٰسِرِیۡنَ] O my Lord! I seek refuge in You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And if You do not forgive me and have mercy upon me, I will be among the losers.
Reference: (Surah Hud:47)
❀ When our master Abraham (peace be upon him) came to know that his father was an enemy of Allah Almighty, he immediately disassociated from him. Allah Almighty says: [فَلَمَّا تَبَیَّنَ لَہٗۤ اَنَّہٗ عَدُوٌّ لِّلّٰہِ تَبَرَّاَ مِنۡہُ ؕ] When Abraham became certain that his father was an enemy to Allah, Abraham disassociated himself from him.
Reference: (Surah At-Tawbah:114)
❀ The wife of our master Lot (peace be upon him) was a disbeliever. When the angels brought Allah’s punishment, they informed Lot (peace be upon him): [اِنَّا مُنَجُّوۡکَ وَ اَہۡلَکَ اِلَّا امۡرَاَتَکَ کَانَتۡ مِنَ الۡغٰبِرِیۡنَ] We will save you and your family except your wife, who is among those who remain behind (disbelievers).
Reference: (Surah Al-Ankabut:33)
When our master Lot (peace be upon him) realized that his wife was also among those seized by Allah due to her enmity towards Islam, he neither turned back to her nor even mentioned her name nor interceded for her before Allah Almighty.❀ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) himself clearly expressed disassociation from the disbelievers among his family. The prophetic saying is: [الا ان اٰل ابی یعنی فلانا لیسوا لی باولیآء] Translation: Listen! Such and such among the children of my father are definitely not my friends.
Reference: (Muslim:215)
❀ The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), adhering to the rulings of the belief of disassociation (al-Bara’), expressed enmity and hatred towards their disbelieving parents, siblings, and relatives, thus writing a golden chapter in Islamic history which Allah Almighty has praised and glorified on the mighty Throne.
Observe some incidents related to Al-Bara from the biography of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them.
❀ When Sayyiduna Saad bin Abi Waqqas رضي الله عنه embraced Islam, his mother stopped eating and drinking. Sayyiduna Saad would ask his mother to eat and drink, but she would say that she would not eat or drink until he abandoned this religion. When Sayyiduna Saad رضي الله عنه saw his mother's stubbornness, he clearly told her, "Mother! I certainly love you greatly, but I love Allah and His Messenger far more than I love you. By Allah! Even if there were a thousand lives in your body and they were taken out one by one before me, I would never abandon the religion of Allah and His Messenger."
Reference: Sahih Muslim:1748
❀ On the return from the Battle of Banu Mustaliq, a quarrel broke out between the Ansar and the Muhajireen. Abdullah bin Abi, the chief of the hypocrites, said that when we reach Medina, we will expel the honorable and keep the despicable among us. When the army reached Medina, Abdullah bin Abi’s own son, Abdullah bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه, who was a loyal companion with true love for Allah and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, drew his sword and stood before his father, saying: "You said that when we reach Medina, the honorable will expel the despicable. Now you will know who the honorable are — you or Allah and His Messenger?" When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم learned of this, he said to Sayyiduna Abdullah رضي الله عنه: "Let your father go to Medina." Sayyiduna Abdullah رضي الله عنه replied: "O Messenger of Allah! If that is your command, then he may go." Sayyiduna Abdullah رضي الله عنه also said: "O Messenger of Allah! If you intend to kill my father (for the crime of insulting the Prophet), then order me, by Allah! I will bring his head to you."
Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi:3315, Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah by Ibn Hisham, narration of Ibn Ishaq, Battle of Banu Mustaliq
❀ Sayyiduna Hanzalah رضي الله عنه’s father, Abu Amir, was a scholar of the Torah and the Gospel, but when the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم came to Medina, Abu Amir became so mad in his enmity towards the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that he left Medina and took refuge with the polytheists of Mecca. He constantly incited people against the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. Sayyiduna Hanzalah رضي الله عنه endured this for some time, but one day, his faith-driven honor could no longer tolerate the crime of insulting the Prophet. He came to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم and said: "O Messenger of Allah! May I be permitted to behead my father?" The Mercy to the Worlds صلى الله عليه وسلم replied: "No! We will not treat him badly."
Reference: Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah by Ibn Hajar, translation: Hanzalah bin Abi Amir
❀ When the order was given to depart for the Battle of Tabuk, the hypocrites began to seek excuses to be excused. On this occasion, the following three sincere companions رضي الله عنهم were among those who stayed behind merely out of laziness: ① Sayyiduna Ka'b bin Malik رضي الله عنه, ② Sayyiduna Hilal bin Umayyah رضي الله عنه, ③ Sayyiduna Mararah bin Rabi' رضي الله عنه. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم ordered all the companions رضي الله عنهم to sever ties with these three as a punishment. Sayyiduna Hilal رضي الله عنه and Sayyiduna Mararah رضي الله عنه stayed at home, but Sayyiduna Ka'b رضي الله عنه continued to come and go to the market and mosque, and thus faced severe hardship due to this boycott. One day, he received a letter from the governor of Caesar of Rome, King Ghassan, stating: "We have learned that your Prophet has greatly wronged you, although you are not a despicable person nor one to be discarded. Come to us, and we will honor you." This letter was a great test of Sayyiduna Ka'b رضي الله عنه’s faith. Even in this state of distress, Sayyiduna Ka'b رضي الله عنه set such a great example of "loyalty and disavowal" (al-wala wal-bara) that it will inspire the faith of believers forever. As soon as he read the letter from Caesar of Rome, without a moment’s delay, he threw it into the fire, practically sending the message to Caesar of Rome that the honor and dignity given by the disbelievers is worth no more than being thrown into the fire compared to the love of Allah and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari:4418
❀ In the Battle of Badr, Sayyiduna Ubaidah bin Jarrah رضي الله عنه’s father was with the polytheists of Mecca. Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah رضي الله عنه fought with great courage and steadfastness on the battlefield. His father repeatedly came forward, but Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه avoided him. When his father forced him to confront him, Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه did not hesitate even a bit to behead his father. When his father came forward, he struck such a powerful blow that his head was split into two pieces. In the same battle, Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab رضي الله عنه killed his uncle As bin Hisham, Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه killed Walid bin Utbah, Sayyiduna Hamzah رضي الله عنه killed Shibah, and Ubaidah bin Harith رضي الله عنه killed Utbah bin Rabi'ah, all of whom were their close relatives. Allah was so pleased with the companions’ رضي الله عنهم conduct of "loyalty and disavowal" in the Battle of Badr that He revealed the following verses in their favor from Surah Al-Mujadila: [لَا تَجِدُ قَوۡمًا یُّؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَ الۡیَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ یُوَآدُّوۡنَ مَنۡ حَآدَّ اللّٰہَ وَ رَسُوۡلَہٗ وَ لَوۡ کَانُوۡۤا اٰبَآءَہُمۡ اَوۡ اَبۡنَآءَہُمۡ اَوۡ اِخۡوَانَہُمۡ اَوۡ عَشِیۡرَتَہُمۡ ؕ اُولٰٓئِکَ کَتَبَ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِہِمُ الۡاِیۡمَانَ وَ اَیَّدَہُمۡ بِرُوۡحٍ مِّنۡہُ ؕ وَ یُدۡخِلُہُمۡ جَنّٰتٍ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہَا الۡاَنۡہٰرُ خٰلِدِیۡنَ فِیۡہَا ؕ رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَ رَضُوۡا عَنۡہُ ؕ اُولٰٓئِکَ حِزۡبُ اللّٰہِ ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّ حِزۡبَ اللّٰہِ ہُمُ الۡمُفۡلِحُوۡنَ] You will never find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred. Those are the ones whose hearts Allah has sealed, and He has bestowed upon them a spirit from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. Those are the party of Allah. So beware of the party of Allah. Indeed, the party of Allah — they are the successful.
Reference: (Surah Al-Mujadila:22)
In the mentioned verse, Allah Almighty has made five promises to the noble companions, may Allah be pleased with them.
① Allah Almighty helped them with the light of faith.
② Those people will enter Paradise.
③ Allah became pleased with them, and they became pleased with Allah.
④ They joined the army of Allah.
⑤ They attained success in this world and the Hereafter. Allah Almighty's promises are all true and truthful. Those who today follow the footsteps of the noble companions, may Allah be pleased with them, fulfilling the requirements of "Al-Wala wal-Bara" will surely find Allah Almighty's promises to be true. [اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یُخۡلِفُ الۡمِیۡعَادَ] Indeed, Allah Almighty does not break His promises.
Reference: (Surah Ar-Ra'd:31)
