What constitutes loyalty to the disbelievers? And if someone falls into it, is a ruling issued regarding him, or is he asked for details?
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The questioner : Noble Shaykh, how is it known that an action performed by a person is loyalty that is considered loyalty to the disbelievers? And if that is known, does it mean a ruling is definitively issued regarding him, or is the matter suspended and he is asked for details about what motivated him to that behavior? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Yes, loyalty in reality is: support and assistance, such that you support the disbelievers and assist them against the Muslims. If you assist them and support them against disbelievers who are more severe than them, then that is better, because if these enemies who want to harm the Muslims are worse than these others, then that means: you repelled the greater of two harms with the lesser, provided you do not fear treachery from those you supported against the enemy.
And as for if you support them against the Muslims, this is a great danger. This is what is feared to fall under the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Ma'idah 5:51].
And as for dealing with them in buying and selling, and their entering into our covenant, this is permissible. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to buy and sell from the Jews. He bought food from them for his family, and he died while his armor was pledged with them. He used to accept their sacrificial animals, and Khuzaa'ah entered into his covenant when he made a treaty with Quraysh at the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, and they were disbelievers, but they were sincere to the Muslims.
And this issue is among the most delicate and dangerous issues, especially among the youth, because some of the youth think that anything involving contact with the disbelievers is loyalty, and that is not the case. Loyalty has many meanings, but the thing—may Allah have mercy on you—but the thing that is dangerous and may take one out of Islam is supporting them and assisting them. Yes, who are you?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Well...
The Shaykh : Yes, loyalty in reality is: support and assistance, such that you support the disbelievers and assist them against the Muslims. If you assist them and support them against disbelievers who are more severe than them, then that is better, because if these enemies who want to harm the Muslims are worse than these others, then that means: you repelled the greater of two harms with the lesser, provided you do not fear treachery from those you supported against the enemy.
And as for if you support them against the Muslims, this is a great danger. This is what is feared to fall under the saying of Allah the Exalted:
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 الظَّالِمِينَAnd as for dealing with them in buying and selling, and their entering into our covenant, this is permissible. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to buy and sell from the Jews. He bought food from them for his family, and he died while his armor was pledged with them. He used to accept their sacrificial animals, and Khuzaa'ah entered into his covenant when he made a treaty with Quraysh at the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, and they were disbelievers, but they were sincere to the Muslims.
And this issue is among the most delicate and dangerous issues, especially among the youth, because some of the youth think that anything involving contact with the disbelievers is loyalty, and that is not the case. Loyalty has many meanings, but the thing—may Allah have mercy on you—but the thing that is dangerous and may take one out of Islam is supporting them and assisting them. Yes, who are you?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Well...