Reply #3: Sura Almumtehinah (60) Verses 7-9 [View All]

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

from my translation, The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an, translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali-

It may be that Allah
Will grant love (and friendship)
Between you and those whom
Ye (now) hold as enemies.
For Allah has power
(0ver all things): And Allah is
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Allah forbids you not,
With regard to those who
Fight you not for (your) Faith
Nor drive you out
Of your homes,
From dealing kindly and justly
With them: For Allah loveth
Those who are just.

Allah only forbids you,
with regard to those who
Fight you for (your) Faith
And drive you out
Of your homes, and support
(Others) in driving you out,
From turning to them
(For friendship and protection).
It is such as turn to them
(In these circumstances)
That do wrong.


To me, this is just common sense. If someone is bascially letting you practice your religion and live in your home, be friends with them, try to get along, even if they aren't the most perfect people in the world. But don't make alliences with those who would deny you the right to worship as you please or live peacefully in your home. When you think about it, would you trust someone who says, "Yeah, I want you to help me out, but rest assured that as soon as I can I'll steal your land and keep you from practicing your faith"?

The writer is correct in saying that fanatical Muslims are missing the message, which is to try and get along with others as best you can, but don't be a doormat to anyone. I think it is interesting that Muslims I know acknowledge the People of the Book and have no problem with them. I know Muslims married to Christians, and I know several people of Jewish background that are Sufis. But then again, I can assure you that fanatical Muslims dislike Sufis as much as they do Jews and Christians because Sufis are very tolerant of others.