Quran 5:55 – Meaning Of Wali And Its Applications
Verse 55 draws parallel to Verse 51 where having friendship with Jews and Christians was condemned because of law of itmam-e-Hujjah which entails that believers be separated from Kafirs before declaration of final punishment. Salah and Zakat at the time of a Rasul and specially at the last stage of Itmam-e-Hujjah were made a necessary expression of faith from a legal standpoint ( and from a standpoint of faith only, this reality is very clear that Salah and Zakat are two primary manifestations of true faith ). Therefore, at the time of itmam-e-hujjat, yes the believers are only those who offer Salah and pay their Zakat and such people should be only friends with Muslims as opposed to the Jews and Christians of that time. Although the verse is specific in this context, but it also serves as a guiding principle for an individual Muslim regarding the reality of faith and importance of Salah and Zakat for a Muslim. For further details on frienship with Non-Muslims , please see: Discussion 1378