Download PDF: [S] Friendship with Jews and Christians (Islamic story)

The full name of Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Moosa Ash’ari – may Allah be pleased with him – is Abdullah bin Qais and his title is “Abu Moosa”. After the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – made announcement of his Prophethood, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Moosa Ash’ari – may Allah be pleased with him – bade farewell to Yemen and decided to travel to Mecca Shareef. In that city, he came under the protection of Sa’eed bin Al Aas. When he accepted Islam, he migrated to Abysinnia.

 

After the Battle of Khyber he arrived in Madina Shareef with Hadrat Sayyiduna Jafer Tayyar – may Allah be pleased with him – and through his efforts, nearly fifty people from the Ash’ari tribe also accepted Islam. A lot of other people from the tribe also came to visit the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Moosa Ash’ari – may Allah be pleased with him – is also among those eminent companions who memorized the Qur’an and was steadfast in practising upon the laws of the Qur’an. (Usdul Ghabah; Al Usaabah)

 

One day, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – asked him, “Please send your clerk to me so that he can read out the correspondences which have come from Syria.”

 

However, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Moosa Ash’ari – may Allah be pleased with him – replied that this person could not enter the Masjid.

 

This surprised the great leader and he inquired whether this person was unclean at this moment.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Moosa – may Allah be pleased with him – replied that no, the reason was that he was a Christian.

 

When Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – heard this reply, he hit his thigh with his hand in a hard manner. He then shouted, “What has happened to you. Have you not heard the words of the Allah Almighty which He has declared in the Qur’an:

 

O People who Believe! Do not make the Jews and the Christians your friends; they are friends of one another; and whoever among you befriends them, is one of them; indeed Allah does not guide the unjust (Al Maidah, 55)

 

The great leader then asked him why he did not choose a Muslim as his clerk. Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Moosa – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “For him in his religion, and for me is his task of recording.”

 

However, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – declared, “When Allah Almighty has insulted these people, how can I be someone who shows respect to them. When Allah Almighty has not displayed any status to them, how can I allow myself to give them stature. When they have distanced themselves from the Divine Grace of Allah Almighty, how can I allow them to come near me?” (Uyun Al Akhbaar)

This clearly informs us that we should try our level best to refrain from the company of the non-Muslims. Yes, if there is a situation where you need to use them for something which you cannot get Muslim help for, then in this case, you are allowed to use their services. However, you are not allowed to use them as a confidant as this would be considered as silly on your part. It is sad to note that Muslims would go out of their way to please the non-Muslims when there is a clear verse in the Qur’an which condemns these people.

 

Bear in mind that these are those people who every minute of the day completely ignore the Divine Greatness of Allah Almighty and you are displaying respect for them! How would this be translated in the Divine Court of Allah Almighty? Remember that at the end of the day, you will have to face your Creator and you will have to answer for your actions in this world. Our sincere advice is that you only use them in times of great need and when you do, you do not become bosom buddies with them but make the intention that you need to visit the toilet for a few moments.