What is the loyalty that takes one out of the religion?
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The questioner : Rather, he sees that all loyalty, in all its forms, whether practical or emotional, except in cases of coercion, takes one out of the religion. May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : This is undoubtedly an error, because loyalty has different categories. The loyalty that constitutes support, whereby one supports the disbelievers in what they are upon, even if they fight the Muslims and attack Islam, is what takes one out of the religion. As for the loyalty that arises from alliances and oaths, there is no harm in it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) established an alliance between himself and Khuzaa'ah. When Quraysh transgressed against Khuzaa'ah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) considered this a breach of the treaty and annulled the truce between himself and Quraysh, because they had transgressed against Khuzaa'ah, who were the allies of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So the loyalty that takes one out of the religion is to be loyal to the disbelievers in what they are upon, such that one supports and assists them in whatever state they are in, even if they fight the Muslims. This is what Allah says about them:[Al-Ma'idah 5:51].
The questioner : And he did not touch upon, for example, the story of Hatib ibn Abi Balta'ah.
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Was that not a practical form, and not naturally an emotional one?
The Shaykh : Hatib (may Allah be pleased with him) explained the reason: he wrote to Quraysh that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was going to attack them, because he had among them—meaning Quraysh—wealth and houses for which he feared for his safety. So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) excused him. However, he did not give him a complete excuse, except that he was among the people of Badr. And Allah said to the people of Badr:Sunan Abi Dawud 2650Sahih (Al-Albani).
The questioner : Except for disbelief, of course, that is excluded.
The Shaykh : If he disbelieves, he is a disbeliever. He is not a loyalist; he is a disbeliever in himself. Yes.
The Shaykh : This is undoubtedly an error, because loyalty has different categories. The loyalty that constitutes support, whereby one supports the disbelievers in what they are upon, even if they fight the Muslims and attack Islam, is what takes one out of the religion. As for the loyalty that arises from alliances and oaths, there is no harm in it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) established an alliance between himself and Khuzaa'ah. When Quraysh transgressed against Khuzaa'ah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) considered this a breach of the treaty and annulled the truce between himself and Quraysh, because they had transgressed against Khuzaa'ah, who were the allies of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So the loyalty that takes one out of the religion is to be loyal to the disbelievers in what they are upon, such that one supports and assists them in whatever state they are in, even if they fight the Muslims. This is what Allah says about them:
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 لا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَThe questioner : And he did not touch upon, for example, the story of Hatib ibn Abi Balta'ah.
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Was that not a practical form, and not naturally an emotional one?
The Shaykh : Hatib (may Allah be pleased with him) explained the reason: he wrote to Quraysh that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was going to attack them, because he had among them—meaning Quraysh—wealth and houses for which he feared for his safety. So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) excused him. However, he did not give him a complete excuse, except that he was among the people of Badr. And Allah said to the people of Badr:
Do what you wish, I have forgiven you.
اعملوا ما شئتم فقد غفرت لكمThe questioner : Except for disbelief, of course, that is excluded.
The Shaykh : If he disbelieves, he is a disbeliever. He is not a loyalist; he is a disbeliever in himself. Yes.