The Meaning of Loyalty in Islam
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Q213: The questioner asks: What are the limits of loyalty to the enemies of Allah and those who oppose Him, such that if a Muslim reaches or exceeds them, he exits the religion? And what are the limits that a Muslim must adhere to in his dealings with non-Muslims?
A213: The loyalty that Allah and His Messenger have forbidden is loyalty to disbelievers and loving them; for one does not love them unless he considers what they are upon to be correct. If, however, he considers what they are upon to be invalid, he opposes them for the sake of Allah. Also included in the forbidden loyalty is supporting them against Muslims and assisting them, and this is apostasy from Islam. Among the forms of their loyalty is excusing them, justifying what they are upon, praising them, eulogizing them, and the like. All of this is among the types of forbidden loyalty, which may reach the level of apostasy from Islam, may Allah protect us from that. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Ma'idah 5:51]
As for what is permissible for us in dealing with disbelievers, it is permissible interaction, such as trading with them, importing goods from them, exchanging benefits with them, benefiting from their expertise, and hiring from them those we employ to perform work we need, such as engineering or other permissible expertise. This is the limit of what is permissible for us with them. It is also necessary for the Muslim to be cautious in his permissible dealings with the disbeliever, by being wary of him and his plots, and not allowing him authority in the lands of the Muslims, except within the limits of his work, and authority must remain with the Muslims over them.
A213: The loyalty that Allah and His Messenger have forbidden is loyalty to disbelievers and loving them; for one does not love them unless he considers what they are upon to be correct. If, however, he considers what they are upon to be invalid, he opposes them for the sake of Allah. Also included in the forbidden loyalty is supporting them against Muslims and assisting them, and this is apostasy from Islam. Among the forms of their loyalty is excusing them, justifying what they are upon, praising them, eulogizing them, and the like. All of this is among the types of forbidden loyalty, which may reach the level of apostasy from Islam, may Allah protect us from that. Allah the Exalted said:
And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.
وَمَنْ يَتَوَلَّهُمْ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَAs for what is permissible for us in dealing with disbelievers, it is permissible interaction, such as trading with them, importing goods from them, exchanging benefits with them, benefiting from their expertise, and hiring from them those we employ to perform work we need, such as engineering or other permissible expertise. This is the limit of what is permissible for us with them. It is also necessary for the Muslim to be cautious in his permissible dealings with the disbeliever, by being wary of him and his plots, and not allowing him authority in the lands of the Muslims, except within the limits of his work, and authority must remain with the Muslims over them.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.