BENEFIT 323: Why We Hate the Kuffār
23 January 2025 • 1.83K views
The esteemed Sheikh, may Allah grant you success, was asked about the ruling on loving a disbeliever. He stated:
"Loving a disbeliever is not permissible. Loving a disbeliever is prohibited. Allah says (interpreted meaning), "You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day making alliances with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger."
Therefore, if Allah hates someone, you must also hate them. Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers, so you, too, are an enemy to them. Allah says (interpreted meaning), "Do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending affection towards them."
Thus, loving a disbeliever is not permissible because Allah hates them. Consequently, you must hate whoever Allah hates, as they are an enemy of Allah, and you are obligated to oppose the enemies of Allah.
Questioer: As for someone who admires a disbeliever for their good work or a man loving a disbelieving woman because she is his wife, is this prohibited?
Sheikh Fawzan hafidahullah:
You should not love them for their good work, but you may repay them or acknowledge their kindness towards you. Allah says (interpreted meaning), 'Allah does not forbid you from being kind and acting justly towards those who have not fought you because of your religion or expelled you from your homes.'
Therefore, you may treat them kindly and reciprocate their kindness, but you must not love them. You should only love the believers, as Allah says (interpreted meaning), 'Your ally is none but Allah, His Messenger, and those who have believed.' So, love is reserved only for the believers.
As for a man’s love for his Christian or Jewish wife, this is not a love of religious devotion; rather, it is a natural love that arises between spouses due to their companionship and shared life. It is a natural form of love and does not pertain to religious matters. Yes, it is similar to how you love food and drink or how you appreciate someone who does good to you—it is a natural love and not related to matters of faith.