Extremist Organizations Malign the True Spirit of Islam By Misinterpreting Al Wala Wal Bara
By NDT
Bureau
September
21, 2020
So, by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were
lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart,
they would have disbanded from about you. So, pardon them and ask forgiveness
for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely
upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. (3:159)
Al Wala Wal
Bara has been misinterpreted in the recent past by some extremist groups and
organizations to malign the true spirit of Islam with the intention to gain
political dominance in which selfish and egocentric gain is prioritized. Its
context has been postulated erroneously by certain radical interpreters though
the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH’s) whole life is a grand example of love and
compassion for all human beings. They have interpreted Al Wala as loyalty for
believers and Muslims; Al Bara as disavowal and hatred for non-believers. This
interpretation is not conceptualized and contextualized by rational Islamic
Scholars spanning ages.
Presenting
the current understanding of Al Wala and Al Bara along different platforms is a
counterfeited and constituted agenda of certain group like the ISIS and other
extremist organization to quench their thirst for blood and in the process,
misguide the educated young generations who have been facing financial crunch
due to unemployment and marginalization. The Prophet (PBUH) never taught
lessons of hatred and enmity but promoted humanity and compassion not only for
Muslim community but also for all other religions. Islam symbolizes peace and
tranquillity for all human beings. Its teachings and principles are circulated
across different platforms particularly for young Muslim generation as they can
be entrapped easily by the extremist propagators/organisations by influencing
them emotionally, psychologically, religiously and diplomatically.
Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah,
and those who disbelieve fight in the cause of Taghut. So, fight against the
allies of Satan. Indeed, the plot of Satan has ever been weak. (Quran 4:76).
The verse
has been quoted to clarify some apparent doubts and confusions about certain
Quranic verses that are being misinterpreted, wrongly-contextualized in
different places and in different ages. Some verses are in the Holy Quran that
talks about jihad and war against non-Muslims that have totally different
contexts and era. These verses were revealed when Islam was in danger and
Muslims were oppressed; they were exiled from their own houses and country. The
present reality is in stark contrast with the past.
Taking the
Indian context into consideration, Indian Muslims get all rights what other
Indian citizens get; they believe in the Indian Constitution that guarantees
equality, justice and liberty for all citizens and nobody is driving them away
from their homeland. This proves that the concept of jihad & war against
disbelievers is not at all applicable in the Indian context. Islam is
absolutely safe in this world; it is not a single entity that can be protected
by few persons who hold up guns and wave their fatal weapons to kill innocent
people. These people commit a lot of heinous crimes and they claim themselves
as protectors of Islam.
Historically,
true jihadists never violated human rights or killed any innocent person for
the safety of Islam. Indeed, Islam lives in the hearts of millions that does
not need some selfish and extremist people who are not following actual Islamic
doctrines.
“Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) bought some foodstuff (barley) from a Jew on
credit and mortgaged his iron armour to him” (Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.453)
“Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) died while his (iron) armour was mortgaged to
a Jew for thirty Sas of barley” (Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.165).
The
aforementioned two authentic hadiths signify that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)
had cordial relations not only with Jews but also with other non-Muslims. His
biography reveals that he was nursed and he grew among non-believers in Mecca.
Similarly,
in Madinah, he settled and established business relationship with all without
differentiating on the basis of caste and religion and taught his true
followers to live cordially with people of different faiths, to make perfect
society by loving, caring and helping all people without taking extremist
steps.
Interpretation
of Al Wala and Al Bara is postulated faultily and quoted out of context by
people with extremist ideology. The extremists interpret it as loyalty and love
with believers; hate and enmity with non-believers. What they really hide is
the real meaning of Al-Wala which means love and brotherhood with people of
different castes and religions; and Al Bara which means that all Muslims leave
all kinds of sins and mistakes and they should understand the true spirit of
Islam.
All Muslims
should be spiritual in their work and commitments that portray true love with
Islam. Indeed, the rational scholars will support the points of loving and
caring all people. They should not accept wrong interpretation of the extremist
people who try to malign the true spirit of Islam and present an easy and true
picture of Islam to the youths which may act as a guiding light to their
future.
Related Articles:
Peaceful
Coexistence in Islam: A Middle Path Between Al-Wala And Al-Bara?
Original
Headline: Interpreting Al Wala Wal Bara – The Paradox between Violence and
Peace?
Source: The New Delhi Times
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-ideology/extremist-organizations-malign-true-spirit/d/122928
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