Chapter 3: Surat Aal-'Imran (The House 'Imran), verse 28-32


                                                                                                     

Translation:

Let not believers make friends with infidels in preference to the faithful - he that does this has nothing to hope for from God - except in self-defense. God admonishes you to fear Him: for to God shall all return. Say: 'Whether you hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, it is known to God. He knows all that the heavens and the earth contain; God has power over all things.' The day will surely come when each soul will be confronted with whatever good it did. As for its evil deeds, it will wish they were a long way off. God admonishes you to fear Him. God is compassionate towards His servants. Say: 'If you love God, follow me. God will love you and forgive you your sins. God is forgiving and merciful.' Say: ' Obey God and the Apostle.' If they pay no heed, then, surely, God does not love the unbelievers.

 (28-32)

Commentary:

A believer behaves/treats all human beings with justice and fairness, without making any difference between Muslims and non-Muslims. But when friendship with non-Muslims is at the cost of Muslim interests, such friendship is not lawful. However, our such association with non-Muslims is temporarily permissible in self defense. Our intention matters in the eyes of God, when our intention is right/sincere, God does not take us to task for our actions. The actual thing worthy of consideration in all matters is the fear of God. One should always give proper thought to his attitude/behavior he adopts in any matter, because he is accountable to God for everything. Whoever is proved wrong on the divine scale cannot escape punishment. Nothing pertaining to humans escapes the eyes of God, whether committed in public or private. When the veil of test is cast aside, the world of the Hereafter will appear before one and the crop of all man’s actions will be before him. This sight will be so dreadful that all the things of this world which had appeared very pleasing to him, he would now want to be taken far away from them. The point where God sees Islam is implanted or not is the heart. A believer is one whose love for God is at the level of his heart, who loves God truly in his heart of hearts. It is people such as those who deserve God’s love and attention. One who forms such a bond with God is forgiven by Him for his failings. God is hard on the arrogants. But He is gentle for those who adopt modesty as their way of life.

It is a psychological reality that one who loves someone cannot at the same time love the enemy of the beloved. This is also a fact that when the beloved is a Being who has the status of one’s Creator and Sustainer then this love will necessarily bring about in him a feeling to obey that Being in all matters. If the love of God does not determine from continuing attachments to His enemies or that his love of God does not produce in him feelings of obeisance to that Being then such a love is false. Such a namesake believer will be included among the deniers. God Himself has testified to the Prophet’s total obedience to God in all matters. So the authentic example of a life of God-worship in this world is only that handed over to us by His messenger.

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