Loyalty & Disavowal

a small excerpt from the book:

Loyalty towards the disbelievers is of two categories:

The first category: The loyalty towards the disbeliever that removes the person from the fold of Islam. Thus, he becomes a disbeliever after having been a Muslim. And this is allegiance. Allah the Exalted said:

“O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. 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.” [Soorah Al-Mā’idah 5:51]

And the Exalted said:

“You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day. Making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts and strengthened them with Ruh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And We will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell within (forever). Allah is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Verily, it is the Party of Allah that will be successful.” [Soorah Al-Mujādila 58:22]

And the guideline for this loyalty is that the love and aid are based upon the religion of the disbelievers and their beliefs. Thus whoever loves the disbeliever for their religion or beliefs or he aids the disbelievers for their religion or beliefs then he has fallen into this category of loyalty, which nullifies his Islam and negates his actions.

The second category: Outward loyalty towards the disbelievers. Thus he works with them in the outward affairs such as buying and selling, and he visits them and they visit him, and they exchange gifts with them and the like. This type of loyalty does not take the person outside the fold of Islam.

Sometimes this is permissible such as showing kindness to a disbeliever who is not at war with the Muslims; as Allah the Exalted said:

“Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity.” [Soorah Al-Mumtahanah 60:8]

Sometimes this is not permissible such as resembling them in that which is particular to them. It has been narrated from Ibn Umar may Allah be pleased with him that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever imitates a people is from them.” [Sunan Abi Dawud 4031]

Sometimes this is recommended such as showing kindness to the disbelievers in order to invite them to Islam