“Do not take Jews and Christians as your allies” — A Quranic Command and its Contemporary Relevance
Quranic Verse in Focus
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۘ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَمَنْ يَتَوَلَّهُمْ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ
“O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies (awliya). They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you—then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:51)
Linguistic Insight into “Awliya” (أولياء)
The term “Awliya” refers to protectors, guardians, confidants, or close allies. It is not a casual word for acquaintances or neighbors. The verse emphasizes political, military, and strategic alignment, not mere social interaction.
Sunni Tafsir Viewpoints
1. Tafsir al-Kabir – Fakhruddin al-Razi (Sunni)
Fakhr al-Din al-Razi says:
“This verse is not about peaceful coexistence or justice with the People of the Book; it speaks about political and military alliance in which Muslims adopt non-Muslim interests over Islam. Such alliances endanger the faith and dignity of the Ummah.”
2. Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Ibn Kathir elaborates:
“Allah forbids the believers from taking the Jews and Christians as allies because they aid one another against Islam. Allah then warns that whoever allies with them becomes like them, and Allah does not guide such wrongdoers.”
3. Dr. Israr Ahmed (Pakistan)
Dr. Israr repeatedly warned in his lectures:
“This verse is not historical—it is eternal. Muslims cannot surrender leadership of the world to those who reject Muhammad (PBUH). Modern Muslim governments, especially in the Arab world, are violating this verse openly by aligning with Zionist and Western powers.”
Shia Tafsir Viewpoints
1. Tafsir al-Mizan – Allama Tabatabai
Allama Tabatabai writes:
“The warning here is about the wilayah (authority, alliance) that affects the soul of a Muslim nation. To give authority or align with those who oppose Islam is a betrayal of divine trust. The Qur’an warns not to let your enemies shape your destiny.”
2. Tafsir Namunah – Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi
Ayatollah Shirazi notes:
“The danger is when Muslims seek political guardianship from non-Muslims. Today, this is seen in many regimes, except those like Iran, which has rejected Zionist and American control in word and deed.”
Sermons of Imam Ali (AS)
In Nahj al-Balagha, Imam Ali (AS) speaks clearly:
“Beware! The greatest betrayal is for the Islamic Ummah to seek protection from its enemies. Do not let the ones who disbelieve become your rulers and decision-makers.”
(Sermon 192)
Another quote:
“وَلَا تَسْتَعِينُوا بِأَعْدَاءِ اللهِ عَلَى أَوْلِيَاءِ اللهِ”
“Do not seek help from the enemies of Allah against the friends of Allah.”
(Nahj al-Balagha, Hikmah 323)
Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
“المرء مع من أحب”
“A person is (raised) with whom he loves (and aligns with).”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
The Prophet (PBUH) rejected alliances that would compromise Islam. He refused help from non-Muslims in battles when the terms demanded unequal control or influence.
Contemporary Scholars’ Views
1. Javed Ahmad Ghamidi
Though more inclined to reinterpret traditional views, Ghamidi maintains:
“This verse was revealed in a specific political context. However, if the same conditions exist today where Jews and Christians are united against Muslims, the command holds relevance.”
Critics argue that his stance may dilute the verse’s eternal implications.
2. Arab Sunni Scholars – Sheikh Safar Al-Hawali, Sheikh Salman al-Ouda (before imprisonment)
They strongly oppose normalization with Israel and warn:
“Aligning with Zionists is a betrayal of Al-Quds and the Ummah. Any leadership doing so is under Allah’s wrath.”
3. Shia Scholars – Ayatollah Khamenei & Martyr Murtaza Mutahhari
Ayatollah Khamenei:
“Today, the embodiment of this verse is the United States and the Zionist regime. We must not give them an inch of influence in the Muslim world.”
Murtaza Mutahhari said:
“Our duty is to awaken Muslims from the slumber of materialism. Wilayah is for Allah, the Prophet, and the believers—not for colonial masters.”
Iran: A Practical Model in Implementing the Verse
Iran stands alone among Muslim states in:
- Rejecting normalization with Israel
- Standing with Palestine and Hezbollah
- Opposing U.S. military bases in Muslim lands
- Building independent defense and economy
Iran’s leadership—whether political or spiritual—openly acts upon the essence of Surah al-Ma’idah (5:51). It recognizes the long-standing alliance between Zionist Jews and Crusader Christians, as declared by many Western leaders.
Why Muslim Ummah Must Wake Up
The Quran warns:
وَلَنْ تَرْضَىٰ عَنكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلَا النَّصَارَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ
“Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with you until you follow their religion.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:120)
The Muslim Ummah, especially regimes that align with Israel and oppress their own people, must reflect on this Divine warning. Seeking friendship with aggressors is spiritual suicide.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The verse (5:51) is not a historical relic—it is a living command. While Muslims may deal justly and kindly with the People of the Book (Surah Al-Mumtahina: 8), political, military, and ideological alliance is strictly prohibited if it harms the integrity of the Ummah.
Iran’s leadership stands as a practical example. Other states must realign their policies not just for political survival but for Divine approval.
فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ
“So race each other in good deeds.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 148)