Q. Love for Non-Muslim Family

Date: 8/27/99 9:25:42 AM Central Daylight Time
Gender: Female
Type of Correspondence: Comment

Body of Email:

As-salaamu-alaikum wa rahamtullaah,

First of all, I'd like to say jazakALLAAHukhair for this website, as it is much needed, especially in this ummah today.

My comment pertains to the following quote in your Unity of Religions article:

"The believer distinguishes between the natural love he has for his father, mother, wife, husband, son, daughter, etc., from the unbelievers and enmity towards them because of their kufr. The natural love is something recognized by Islam, but does not permit us to compromise our deen."

Can you please explain what you mean by "natural love" because in Islaam, a believer has no love whatsoever for kuffaar, even if they are of their closest kin (see example of Ibrahim, saw, the sahaabah and Qur'aanic ayat). I am not aware of any other type of love in Islaam except love for the sake of Allaah. All other love has no place at all, even if thru blood ties. Please correct me if I'm wrong, and give daleel. ALLAAHu'alam.

JazakALLAAHukhair.

as salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakatuh

A. Jibilli and Nusrah

Walaikum as salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu....

Wa iyyakum.

There is jibilli which is natural love. There is nusrah which is love involving allegiance. Muslims are forbidden Nusrah to kuffaar (non-Muslims).

The following is from Tafseeru Aayatil Kursi by Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih Al-'Uthaymeen....

58:22

This strengthening mentioned in the aayah applies to everyone who does not love the enemies of the Messengers, even though they may be one's close relatives. This love is not the same as the natural (jibilli) love, but it is the love of nusrah which entails giving allegiance to them. Dealing justly with the non-combatant from the unbelievers is commanded by Allaah. hence:

(a) The natural love is created by Allaah. He permitted it to occur.
(b) The enmity towards the unbelievers because of their disbelief: and rejection of Allaah is legislated by Allaah.
(c) Dealing justly with the non-combatants from the unbelievers is: commanded by Allah.

.....

So it (the ship) sailed with them amidst the waves like mountains, and Nûh (Noah) called out to his son, who had separated himself (apart), "O my son! Embark with us and be not with the disbelievers." [Quran 11:42]

His son chose the way of the unbelievers and thought that he will be saved from the water if he takes himself to a mountain. Nûh (Noah, r.a.) invoked Allaah:

And Nûh (Noah) called upon his Lord and said, "O my Lord! Verily, my son is of my family! And certainly, Your Promise is true, and You are the Most Just of the judges." [Quran 11:45]

"Verily, my son is of my family!" This is the natural relationship, the jibilli one. Allaah, Most High, reminded Nûh (r.a.) of His command of Legal disassociation (al-baraa' ash-shar'i) from the kuffaar:

He said: "O Nûh (Noah)! Surely, he is not of your family; verily, his work is unrighteous, so ask not of Me that of which you have no knowledge! I admonish you, lest you be one of the ignorants." [Qur'an 11:46]

The immediate submission of Nûh (r.a.) was clear in his saying:

Nûh (Noah) said: "O my Lord! I seek refuge with You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have Mercy on me, I would indeed be one of the losers." [Qur'an 11:47]

There was a clear distinction between the jibilli and shar'i perspectives in the relationship between Nooh and his son. Contemplate also the relationship with parents:

And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination. But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do. [Qur'an 31:14, 15]

Friendship and alliance and pleasing those who oppose Allaah is an indication of either lack of faith or its weakness in the heart of the believer. It is against reason that a person can have walaa' for someone who is an enemy of the one he truly loves. You find those who have walaa' for the unbelievers doing things which will earn the love and friendship of the unbelievers by any means. Those who know the truth regarding this matter must remind them of the command of Allah that:

O you who believe! Take not for Auliyâ' (supporters and helpers) your fathers and your brothers if they prefer disbelief to Belief. And whoever of you does so, then he is one of the Zâlimûn (wrong-doers, etc.). [Qur'an 9:23]

He, the Mighty and Majestic, set for us the example of Prophet Ibraaheem (r.a.) by saying:

Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibrâhim (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: "Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allâh, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever, until you believe in Allâh Alone," except the saying of Ibrâhim (Abraham) to his father: "Verily, I will ask for forgiveness (from Allâh) for you, but I have no power to do anything for you before Allâh ." Our Lord! In You (Alone) we put our trust, and to You (Alone) we turn in repentance, and to You (Alone) is (our) final Return, [Qur'an 60:4]

...Walaikum as salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

Date: 8/29/99 12:12:06 PM Central Daylight Time
To: [email protected]

wa alaikum as salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakatuh

JazakALLAAHukhairan for your prompt response. After reading the response, I see I must study more about this topic.

May ALLAAH continue to bless your for your active da'wa efforts.

wa salaam
your sister in Islaam