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Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara' Revealed
in Al-'Imran (1/2)
by Khaalid al-Ghareeb
The legal meaning of Al-Wala'
(love, support, help, follow, etc.) is to totally agree with the
sayings, deeds and beliefs which please Allah and the persons
whom He likes.
In an age where truth is presented as falsehood, righteousness
is translated to rebelliance and the preserving of ones land and
dignity is called terrorism, there will naturally arise many
confusions about the pillars of Iman and the facts of Islam.
Those in whose hearts there is a deviation find it expedient to
twist the meaning of many sacred texts because it does not
conform with their desires and motives. Not even the principles
of Al-Aqeedah can escape their ploys. Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara' is
the creed that guides all the actions and sayings of a Muslim
and it is by its practice and application that the ranks of the
believers vary. It is imperative that this creed be unambiguous
to the Muslim's mentality in order that it manifests and
materialises correctly in his actions. |
28. Let
not the believers take the disbelievers as Awliya' (supporters, helpers,
etc.) instead of the believers, and whoever does that will never be
helped by Allah in any way, except if you indeed fear a danger from
them. And Allah warns you against Himself (ie. His Punishment), and to
Allah is the final return.
29. Say [O Muhammad (s.a.w.)]: "Whether you hide what is in your breasts
or reveal it, Allah knows it, and He knows what is in the heavens and
what is in the earth. And Allah is Able to do all things".
The
Occasion of Revelation
The Ayah
(verse) was revealed concerning a group of believers who had
Jewish friends. Those believers were giving Muwalat (support,
help, etc.) to these Jews. Some of the Sahabah (r.a.a.) said to
those believers: "Keep away from those Jews and beware of their
friendship for they could seduce you away from your religion and guide
you astray after you have believed". However this group of believers
disobeyed the advice and remained loyal to their Jewish friends; and so
Allah (s.w.t.) revealed "Let not the believers take the disbelievers as
Awliya'".
Al-Qurtubi
also reports in his Tafseer, narrated by Ibn Abbas (r.a.a.) that
the Ayat was revealed with respect to 'Ubadah bin us-Saamet Al-Ansari
Al-Badri who had a coalition of Jews. On the day of Al-Ahzaab, 'Ubadah
said to the Prophet (s.a.w.): "O Prophet of Allah, I have a fellow of
five hundred Jews; I see that they should come with me for support
against the enemy". In this incidence, Allah (s.w.t.) revealed the
aforementioned Ayat.
The
General Meaning of the Ayah
Allah (s.w.t.)
forbids His Believers from exhibiting any form of Muwalat to the
disbelievers. This includes the manifestation of love and compassion to
strengthen the ties with them or to regard them as companions and
friends because of their kinship or acquaintance. The Believer can not
be an ally of Allah's enemies and it is impossible for a person to
combine the love of Allah (s.w.t.) and the love of his enemies because
this is a combination of opposites; therefore, he who loves Allah, must
also hate His enemies.
It is
forbidden upon the Muslim to give Muwalat to the disbelievers and
forsake the believers. There is no association or relationship
whatsoever between Iman and Kufur. The preceding noble
Ayat forewarns us from Muwalat Al-Kafireen and alerts us to
the consequences of such an action, with one exception being in extreme
necessity when one must avoid or protect oneself from the harm or injury
inflicted upon by disbelievers by presenting an outer appearance that
belies what one conceals inside. This is known as Taqiyyah, and
it is only permitted under such circumstances.
The noble
Ayat concludes by strongly threatening those who disobey Allah and
show Muwalat to the disbelievers. This threat indicates the
magnitude of such a sin.
The
Definition of Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara' in the Islamic Belief
The legal
meaning of Al-Wala' (love, support, help, follow, etc.) is to
totally agree with the sayings, deeds and beliefs which please Allah and
the persons whom He likes. Al-Bara' (despise, desert, keep
innocent of, etc.) is the complete opposite of Al-Wala' and it is
to disagree with everything that Allah hates and condemns. Hence, there
are four issues related to the belief in Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara',
those being: the sayings, the deeds, the beliefs and the individual
persons. Some of the things that pleases Allah (s.w.t.) are the saying
of Dhikr, the deed of Jihad, the belief in His Oneness and
the love of the believing person. Backbiting, fornication, Shirk
and disbelief are some of the things that are hated by Allah (s.w.t.)
and must also be hated by the Believer.
The
Rank of the Belief in Al-Wala'u
wa Al-Bara'
The belief in
Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara' occupies a meritorious rank in the Islamic
Aqeedah. This can be understood from the following reasons:
-
Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara' is part
of the Shahadah (testimony of faith) that being 'La ilaha'
which is the portion from 'La ilaha illallah'. This means to
be free and immune from all that is worshiped besides Allah (s.w.t.)
as He the Almighty states: "And verily, We have sent among every
Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): 'Worship
Allah (alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all
false deities, ie. do not worship Taghut besides Allah)"
(16:36).
-
The eminent creed of Al-Wala'u wa
Al-Bara' is the strongest bond of Iman. Al-Barra' bin
A'aazeb (r.a.a.) narrates that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "The
strongest bond of Iman is the love for Allah's sake and the
hatred for Allah's sake" (Reported by Imam Ahmad).
-
It is one of the basis by which the
heart can experience the beauty of Iman and absolute
assurance. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "Whoever possesses the
following three (qualities) will have the sweetness (delight) of
faith: The one to whom Allah and His Messenger become dearer than
anything else, who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's
sake, and who hates to revert to atheism (disbelief) as he hates to
be thrown into the fire". [Bukhary and Muslim]
-
It is the foundation by which all
relationships and dealings in a Muslim community is built upon as
described by the Prophet (s.a.w.): "None of you will have faith till
he likes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself" (Bukhari),
and by Wisdom of the Almighty: "The believers are nothing else than
brothers (in Islamic religion)" (49:10).
-
The great and abundant reward is due
to those who are characterised by the love of each other for the
sake of Allah (s.w.t.). The Prophet (s.a.w.) articulates: "Those who
love me will be (standing) upon pulpits made of light on the day of
Resurrection". He (s.a.w.) also said: "There will be seven
(categories of people) for whom Allah will Shed (Protect) under His
Shade, when there will not be any shade except His", one of those
categories is "Two men who loved each other for Allah's sake. They
congregate for His Sake, and they separate for His Sake".
-
It is the most powerful tie or
relationship that links between people. Allah (s.w.t.) has given it
the precedence and priority over all types of ties by Asserting:
"Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your
kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you
fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight ... are
dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and
fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His
Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are
Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah)" (9:24).
-
It is by the means of the creed of
Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara' that Allah grants His Walayah (the
protection, power, authority and kingdom). Ibn Jareer reports the
saying of Ibn Abbas (r.a.a.): "He who loves for Allah's sake and
hates for Allah's sake, he who gives Muwalat (support, help,
etc.) for Allah's sake and exhibits enmity for Allah's sake, will
attain Allah's Walayah".
-
The relationship of Al-Wala'u wa
Al-Bara' will be theonone to remain on the Day of Reckoning as
foretold by Allah the All-Knowing: "When those who were followed,
disown (declare themselves innocent of) those who followed (them),
and they see the torment, then all their relations will be cut off
from them" (2:166).
-
He who loves other than Allah and His
Religion and hates Him (s.w.t.), His Religion or followers is a
definite disbeliever, "And if any amongst you takes them (Jews and
Christians) as Awliya', then surely he is one of them"
(5:51).
-
The Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara' is an
integral part of Iman and is necessary for its perfection. In
a Hadith: "He who loves for Allah's pleasure, hates for Allah's
pleasure, donates for Allah's sake and deprives for Allah's sake,
then that person has perfected his Iman" [Sound Hadith
related by Ahmad and Tirmithi]
References:
- The Meaning of the Qur'an,
S.Abul A'la Al-Maududi
- In the Shade of the
Qur'an, Sayyid Qutb
By Br. Khalid El-Gharib
The Belief in Al-Wala'u wa
Al-Bara' Revealed in Al-'Imran (2/2)
By Br. Khalid El-Gharib
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Peace accords with Zionists,
American colonialism and crusade in the Gulf, sincere scholars
tortured and kept behind bars, are only some of the serious
contemporary violations of Allah's Code, Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara',
practised by those who are in our authority!! This is expectable
when hypocrisy raises its voice and tries to disfigure the
meaning of some Qur'anic Rulings to brain-wash the general
Muslim masses. For Islam to triumph again, the Ummah must
firstly interpret the Holy Qur'an the way that our righteous
predecessors interpreted it: clearly, honestly and
prophetically, fearing no one except Allah. |
118. O you who believe!
Take not as (your) Bitanah (advisers, 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 Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you
understand.
119. Lo! you are the
ones who love them but they love you not, and you believe in all the
Scriptures [ie. 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 )."
120. 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 and
righteous persons), not the least harm will their cunning do to you.
Surely, Allah surrounds all that they do.
In
part 1 of this article, we
defined the term Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara' in the Islamic Creed and
exposed the rank of this great belief, guided by Ayaat 28 and 29
of Surat Al-Imran. Here we continue to examine the implications of
Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara' and reveal the rights and dimensions of this
fundamental concept.
The Occasion of
Revelation
Allah warned the
Muslims to guard against the hypocritical attitude of the Jews who lived
in the suburbs of Al-Madinah. The two clans, 'Aus and Khazraj, had been
on friendly terms with them from very ancient times and kept sincere
relations with them even after embracing Islam. In contrast to this, the
Jews, who had turned into the enemies of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and
his Mission, could not be friendly with anyone who had joined the new
Movement. Accordingly, they kept up an outward show of friendship with
the Ansaar, but in their hearts they had become their bitter enemies.
They, however, exploited this outward friendship and tried to sow seeds
of dissension and create chaos in the Muslim community. They also tried
to draw out secrets from the Muslims and pass them on to their enemies.
That is why Allah has warned the Muslims that they should not take such
people into their confidence.
The General Meaning of
the Verses
In the discourse
preceding these verses, Allah (s.w.t.) clearly describes the miscreant
behaviour and false arguments of the People of the Book and how they
conceal hatred to Muslims and try their best to fight them. After this,
comes the Eternal and Divine Warning; to take not those outside our
religion into our confidence by revealing our secrets to them and
regarding them as our Bitanah (advisers, consultants, protectors,
helpers, friends, etc.) since they will never miss an opportunity to
exploit any of our weakness and they ever desire our harm. We have seen
and are seeing this malice so many times from their speech, but what
they conceal in their hearts is far worse.
This Qur'anic insight
into the nature of the dark souls and the hidden feelings of our
enemies, casts a light for our consciousness pertaining to every time
and place in order that we learn from these signs and become wise and
cautious in our relations with them. Yet, the people of this living
Qur'an are still in inadvertence and negligence, while their hostile
enemy continues to deceit and conspire against them during the night
anday. It is strange and ironic that we show love to people, who reject
our Book and proclaim their grievance against us!
The Rights of Al-Wala'
Any Muslim who claims
to have Iman must fulfil its conditions and requirements in order
to deserve that title. Undoubtedly, fulfilling the rights of Al-Wala'
(to love, support, help, follow, defend, etc. Islam and Muslims) and
fulfilling the rights of Al-Bara' (to despise, desert, denounce,
maintain innocence of and immunity from, etc. Kufr and Kuffar)
is the true manifestation of the Muslim's adherence to this Deen.
The rights of Al-Wala' towards Islam and Muslims can be concisely
presented by the following:
- The migration from a non-Musilm land to a Muslim land to
safeguard the Religion, with exception to those who are weak and
oppressed, and those who cannot migrate due to geographical and
contemporary political reasons. Also in strict exemption are those
who migrate to a Disbelievers land to spread Islam, seek medical
treatment, business or necessary knowledge provided that that Muslim
is knowledgeable in Islam and is able to preserve his religion,
openly practice Islamic rituals without compromise and maintain the
rights of Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara'.
- Supporting and helping any Muslim community, whether it is by
our sayings, souls or wealth in all matters of Deen and
Dunia. Allah (s.w.t.) Says: ".. but if they seek your help in
religion, it is your duty to help them except against a people with
whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance." [8:72]
- Sharing the times of joy and the times of agony with other
fellow Muslims. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "The believers in their
mutual love, are like the human body where when the eye is in agony,
the entire body feels the pain; when the head aches, all the body
will suffer." [Muslim] Showing concern in Muslims' issues and
circulating their news in the media is included in this category.
- The Muslim must like for his brethren the acquiring of good and
repelling of evil, in the same way that he loves these for himself.
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "None amongst you (truly) believes till
he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself." [Muslim]
- The abstinence from abusing, mocking or backbiting other
Muslims. Allah (s.w.t.) has likened this to eating the flesh of the
Muslim [49:11-12].
To belong to the Muslim Jama'a (community)
in unity and to avoid division as Allah Orders "And hold fast,
all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (ie. this Qur'an), and be
not divided among yourselves." [3:103] and by the Prophets (s.a.w)
saying: "Whoever dissociates oneself from the Jama'a by the
span of the hand will die a Jahili (the age of ignorance)
death."
The Rights of Al-Bara'
To become a Mu'min, it is not sufficient for
the Muslim to merely fulfil the rights of Al-Wala' towards Islam
and Muslims, he must also sincerely fulfil the rights of Al-Bara'
towards Kufr and Kuffar. The most important of these
rights include:
- Despising Kufr (disbelief), Shirk (polytheism),
and their people; and to maintain your enmity towards them as stated
in Allah's Words: "Indeed there has been an excellent example for
you in Ibrahim (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their
people: 'Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship
besides Allah, we have rejected you, and there has started between
us and you, hostility and hatred for ever, - until you believe in
Allah Alone'." [60:4]
- Taking not the Kuffar as Awliya' (supporters, helpers, etc.),
dealing with them in affection because Allah (s.w.t.) commands:
"O you who believe! Take not my enemies and your enemies (ie.
disbelievers and polytheists, etc.) as friends, showing affection
towards them." [60:1]
- Migrating from their lands and not travelling to it except in
necessity. Narrated Samurah bin Jundub (r.a.a.): Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.)
said: "Anybody (from among the Muslims) who meets, gathers together,
lives, and stays (permanently) with a Mushrik (polytheist or
a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah, etc.) and agrees to his ways,
opinions, etc. and (enjoys) his living with him (Mushrik)
then he (that Muslim) is like him (Mushrik). [Abu Dawud]
- Not to imitate the Kuffar in their religious rituals or
their way of life as stated by the Prophet (s.a.w.): "Whoever
imitates a (group of) people, then that person is one of them." The
Prophet (s.a.w.) taught us that: "Jews and Christians do not dye
their hair so you should do the opposite of what they do." [Bukhari]
- Avoiding their company and friendship as Stated by Allah:
"And incline not toward those who do wrong, Lest the Fire should
touch you , and you have no protectors other than Allah, nor you
would then be helped." [11:113], especially with those who mock
and ridicule Islam.
-
In
dealing with the Kuffar, no compromise in religion for the
sake of courtesy and respect should be offered. Allah (s.w.t.) Said:
"They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of
courtesy) with them, so they (too) would compromise with you."
[68:9] Furthermore, the Monotheist must not ask Allah forgiveness
and mercy for the Kafir as Commanded by Allah: "It is not
(proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allah's
Forgiveness for the Mushrikun even though they may be of kin, after
it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire
(because they died in a state of disbelief)." [9:113]
It should be remembered, that our enmity for the
Kuffar as regulated by Al-Bara' does not mean that the Muslim
can be unjust and offend those Kuffar who are not transgressors.
Allah (s.w.t) Commands justice and beneficence, "Allah does not
forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against
you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes.
Verily Allah loves those who deal with equity." [60:8] Notice that
Allah Said 'to deal justly and kindly' with them and did not Say, 'to
show them love and take them as Awliya'.
Finally, we should be amongst those who Allah
Praises: "You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the
Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His
Messenger, even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their
brothers or their kindred (people). For such he has written Faith in
their hearts, and strengthened them with Ruh (proofs, light and true
guidance) from Himself. And We will admit them to Gardens (Paradise)
under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allah is pleased
with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Verily, it is
the Party of Allah that will be the successful." [58:22].
References:
- The Meaning of the Qur'an, S.Abul A'la Al-Maududi
- In the Shade of the Qur'an, Sayyid Qutb
- Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara' fil-Islam. Muhammad Al-Qahtani
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