Quran 60:1-8 Meaning
To understand the context properly, we need to examine the verses right from the start. (Summary of verses 1-8, Chapter 60) : Muslims were asked to not befriend those who are Allah’s enemies; though the address is general in nature yet it is directed to the Muslims who though had migrated to Madinah but because of their innate weakness and compromising nature had not been able to sever their former familial and friendly ties with the idolaters of Makkah. The Quran regarded it to be against faith and told them that if they lay claim to faith, they should terminate this relationship. This is because these people are not merely disbelievers. They have gone ahead and become the enemies of God and the Muslims and are in a state of war with the Muslims. After conclusive communication of the truth, this declaration of acquittal has been made by every messenger before his respective nation. After this, the relationship of inviting his people to the truth and preaching them ends, and the rejecters of a messenger are clearly told that friendship and fraternal ties can no longer exist between them and the followers of the messenger. They are the enemies of God and of the religion of God. So enmity and revulsion should be proclaimed with them until they repent from polytheism and accept monotheism. However, the above prohibition only relates to the matters involving religion. In other words, if they have any dispute with Muslims about worldly affairs relating to family, tribe or nation, then this is a separate matter; if the dispute does not relate to religion, God does not stop them from anything. God, undoubtedly, likes those who do good and are just. The specific nature of the directive found in the verse totally relates to this world. In other words, what is forbidden is only that friendship which becomes a means of giving priority to personal interests and biases which relate to family, tribe and nation over faith and religion; showing kindness and being just is not forbidden; they shall be adhered to at all cost. There is no question of any distinction in this regard between friends and foes, believers and disbelievers; being pious and righteous and adhering to justice is a requisite of faith. No believer can disregard this fact in any circumstances.