Islam Question and Answer - Alliance and Amity, Disavowal and Enmity

Thu 13/7/1434 - 23/5/2013

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He loves his kaafir Professor dearly; what is the ruling on that?

I am 20, male and a third year medical student. Im a devout Muslim. My family is also deeply religious. But I'm in a very complex situation.
When I was in college at the age of 17, I started developing a father-son relationship with one of my teachers. That would be fine if he was a Muslim. But he was born in a Hindu family, an atheist now for a long time and also critical about all religions including Islam. He loves me too much and beyond imagination. I know it because he talks to me everyday though now he lives in a foreign country. Everyday we keep contact- literally everyday. And honestly I love him too much too; I go crazy if he doesn't call me even just one day. I always think he is my father. All my family and friends know about our relation and accept it.
But I don't like him being critical about religions including my religion. I also told him that. It's true that he never told me anything definitive about Islam like other atheists say for example 'Islam suppresses women' etc. etc. nor did he ever say to me to become an atheist. He sometimes talks about different 'ayats' and points out that this 'ayat' says so, that 'ayat' tells Muslims to do so etc. etc. as he studies religions and the holy books. He read the Koran and the Hadiths few times.
Now the big issue is:
Does Islam approve of such relation with a non-Muslim who is also critical about Islam? Please give references from the Koran and Hadiths when you answer me back. Islam comes first to me, every one else later. If Islam does not approve of it, I'll surely cut this relation. But that will definitely take a huge toll on me.

Praise be to Allaah.

If the matter is as you describe in your question, we advise you to strive hard to distance yourself from this man and to cut off this relationship that is based on great love for him, because that is damaging to your religious commitment, and the affect of that is clear from your words about your deep attachment to him, your lengthy relationship with him and your not being able to leave him. All of that is very damaging to the Muslim’s ‘aqeedah (belief) which requires him to disavow the disbelievers and to take as close friends and love the believers. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“You (O Muhammad SAW) will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW ), even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rooh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And We will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allah is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Verily, it is the Party of Allah that will be the successful.”

[al-Mujaadilah 58:22].

This love of the heart is a serious matter, because it is contrary to the teachings of al-wala’ wa’l-bara’ (love and loyalty versus disavowal and enmity), which is one of the most important basic principles of Islam and one of the strongest bonds of faith, which is indicated by a great deal of evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Please see the answer to question no. 47322 and 23325

This does not mean that you cannot treat him kindly if you meet him or you have a class together or work together, without being eager to meet him outside of school or work. So strive to correct yourself and end this forbidden friendship. If it so happens that you meet for any reason, make it your main concern to make him love Islam and call him to it, and warn him of the grave situation that he is in, in the hope that Allah may decree that he be guided out your hand. At that time, your love for him will be beneficial to him when you to call him to Islam. We ask Allah to help you to do that which is good.

And Allah knows best.

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