Muslims And Non-Muslims: Refuting The Extremist Doctrine Of Al-Wala Wal-Bara
By
Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam
13 April
2024
Understanding
This Doctrine Is Crucial For A Nuanced View Of Its Implications On Both Intra-Islamic
Relations And Broader Interfaith Interactions.
Main
Points:
1.
The Quranic discourse on the Kuffar
(non-believers) is extensive and varies in interpretation
2.
al-Wala wal-Bara has evolved from a tribal
concept into a complex ideological tool used within various contexts, from
theological debates to justifications for political violence
3.
In recent years, this ideology has been
propagated by modern clerics like Ahmad Musa Jibril and Abdullah al-Faisal, who
have utilized social media platforms to reach a global audience.
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This
discussion explores the complex perspectives within Islam regarding its own
teachings and how it interacts with non-Muslims. Some interpretative traditions
within Islam emphasize a defensive posture, rooted in historical contexts where
Muslims faced aggression. This view is encapsulated by scholars like Sheikh
Muhammad al-Sha‘rawi, who in his work "al-Jihād fil-Islām,"
argues that jihad is fundamentally defensive, aimed at protecting the community
from external threats rather than promoting forced conversion or expansionism.
Al-Sha‘rawi stresses that the primary interactions with non-Muslims should be
through peaceful Da‘wah (proselytizing) and cooperation, based on mutual
respect and tolerance.
This
perspective contrasts with more divisive interpretations that have emerged in
various historical and modern contexts. For instance, the doctrine of al-Wala
wal-Bara underscores a strict loyalty to the Muslim community and a
disavowal of those outside it, based on certain interpretations of Islamic
texts. This doctrine, emphasized in Wahhabi thought and discussed by scholars
like Sheikh Muhammad al-Qahtani and Ibn Taymiyyah, suggests a dichotomy between
believers and non-believers, influencing social and political attitudes towards
non-Muslims.
The Quranic
discourse on the Kuffar (non-believers) is extensive and varies in
interpretation. While some verses are interpreted as advocating severe measures
against those who threaten the Islamic community, others emphasize coexistence
and compassion towards non-believers unless directly threatened. Scholars like
Bernard Lewis have noted that the Quran instructs Muslims to show compassion
and kindness within their community and to be firm against threats from outside
the community, but this does not necessarily equate to perpetual hostility in
all circumstances.
The
interpretations of these texts can differ greatly depending on the theological,
historical, and cultural context of the interpreters. This highlights the
diverse ways in which Islamic teachings are understood and applied across
different communities and periods, reflecting a broader spectrum of beliefs and
practices within Islam than might be apparent from a single viewpoint.
The concept
of al-Wala wal-Bara in Islamic theology emphasizes loyalty to fellow
believers and disavowal of disbelief. This principle is deeply rooted in the
belief in Tawhid, the oneness of Allah, and it forms a fundamental aspect of
the Islamic faith, shaping how adherents relate to those outside their faith.
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Also Read: Refuting The
Jihadist Doctrine Of Al-Wala Wal Bara (Loving And Hating For The Sake Of Allah)
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The
Evolution of Al-Wala wal-Bara
In the
tribal society of pre-Islamic Arabia, the verbs "Wala" (to accept)
and "Bara" (to expel) were used to describe the acts of
inclusion and exclusion within the community. This concept evolved into Al-Wala
Wa-L-Bara within the Islamic context, initially utilized by the Kharijites
to emphasize loyalty among their own and rejection of others. The Kharijites,
who emerged after rejecting a peace treaty between Caliph Ali and Mu’awiya
during the Battle of Siffin in 657 AD, later played a role in Ali’s
assassination and continued conflicts with Mu’awiya’s supporters. Considered
deviant by mainstream Islamic jurisprudence, their strict interpretation of
loyalty and disavowal laid early foundations for the concept.
This binary
concept of allegiance and opposition was revitalized in the late eighteenth
century by Sulayman ibn ‘Abdallah al-Shaykh, a descendant of the Wahhabi
movement's founder. He infused al-Wala wal-Bara with theological
significance, asserting that true Islamic faith necessitates both love for God
and hatred for His enemies. This interpretation was further developed by
subsequent scholars like ‘Ali Ibn ‘Atiq’, who linked it directly with Tawheed
(the Islamic doctrine of monotheism), arguing that true monotheism inherently
requires disavowal of polytheists.
The revival
took a more political turn in the twentieth century. In 1979, Juhayman
al-’Utaybi and his followers, claiming to uphold al-Wala wal-Bara,
seized the Grand Mosque in Mecca. This incident demonstrated a shift towards
using the concept as a justification for political and militant actions against
perceived enemies of Islam, both within and outside the Muslim world.
Abu
Muhammad al Maqdisi, a prominent ideologue, later argued that al-Wala
wal-Bara was not just a part of Islam but a foundation, equating the denial
of this concept with the denial of Islam itself. His teachings have influenced
a new generation of jihadists, including those who see the West and its allies
as principal adversaries.
By the
1990s, figures like Humud b. ‘Uqala’ al-Shu‘aybi further politicized al-Wala
wal-Bara, interpreting it as a theological imperative to oppose Western
influence and military presence in Muslim lands. This perspective gained
further traction post-9/11, with figures like Ayman al-Zawahiri emphasizing a
perpetual state of bara against non-Muslims and governments cooperating with
the West.
In recent
years, this ideology has been propagated by modern clerics like Ahmad Musa
Jibril and Abdullah al-Faisal, who have utilized social media platforms to
reach a global audience. Their teachings, which emphasize hatred towards
non-Islamic governance and societal systems, have been linked to various acts
of extremism and are seen as contributing to the radicalization of individuals
worldwide.
Thus, al-Wala
wal-Bara has evolved from a tribal concept into a complex ideological tool
used within various contexts, from theological debates to justifications for
political violence. Its interpretation and application continue to influence
contemporary Islamic thought and global geopolitical dynamics.
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Also Read: Peaceful Coexistence in Islam: A Middle
Path Between Al-Wala And Al-Bara?
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Theological
Foundations and Social Implications
Al-Wala
wal-Bara translates
to loyalty and disavowal. It requires Muslims to align themselves with what is
halal (permissible) and disassociate from what is haram (forbidden). This
doctrine is considered by some to be nearly as important as Tawhīd itself, underlining
the significance of maintaining purity of faith and practice.
Interactions
with Non-Muslims
The Quran
and Hadiths, sources of Islamic scripture and teachings, discuss the
relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims. Verses in the Quran, such as
those in Surat al-Fatiha, guide Muslims to follow the path of those favoured by
Allah and avoid the paths of those who have earned wrath or gone astray.
Historical interpretations, like those by al-Tabari, suggest specific
references to Jews and Christians in these contexts.
Al-Wala
wal-Bara in
Global and Political Contexts
In a
broader sense, al-Wala wal-Bara impacts Islamic political theory,
particularly in the distinctions made between Dar al-Islām (the domain of
Islam) and Dar al-Harb (the domain of war). This delineation frames the
geopolitical worldview of some Islamic schools of thought, which see a natural
state of conflict with non-Islamic realms until they are brought under Islamic
governance.
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Salafi-Jihadi
Interpretations
Extremist
groups, such as Salafi-Jihadis, adopt a stringent interpretation of al-Wala
wal-Bara. They believe in rigorous adherence to their version of Islam and
practice Takfir, where Muslims deemed insufficiently devout or accused of
violating Islamic principles are labelled apostates. This radical ideology
supports their justification for violence against both Muslims and non-Muslims
alike.
Fitrah
Doctrine
The concept
of Fitrah, or the natural disposition towards Islam, plays a crucial role in
Islamic missionary activities. It holds that every human is born with an innate
inclination towards Islam, and deviations from this path are due to external
influences. This belief underpins efforts to revert individuals to what is
considered their original faith.
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Concluding
Thoughts
The doctrine
of al-Wala wal-Bara is complex and multifaceted, influencing both
personal faith and collective identity among Muslims. While it fosters a strong
sense of community among believers, its interpretations vary widely, with some
adopting it as a call for exclusivity and others viewing it as a spiritual
guideline for personal conduct. Understanding this doctrine is crucial for a
nuanced view of its implications on both intra-Islamic relations and broader
interfaith interactions.
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A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir
V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance
journalist.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-ideology/muslims-refuting-extremist-doctrine-wala-bara/d/132130
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