DOES QUR'AN TEACHE COMMUNILISM?

Articles by Explore-Qur'an Team

DOES QUR'AN TEACH COMMUNILISM?

Objection- 3: It is on Chapter 3 verse 28, the translation follows:

"Let not the believers take those who deny the truth (Al-Kafiroon) for their allies or protector (Aulia) in preference to the believers - since he who does this cuts himself off from ALLAH in everything - unless it be to protect yourselves against them in this way. But ALLAH warns you to beware of HIM; for with ALLAH is all journeys’ end."

(From Holy Qur'an 3/28)

Want to see or listen the original text please click here

In the above verse the believers are advised not to establish alliance with non-believers, ignoring the believers. The advice contains nothing against the non-believers. Neither use of violence nor their murder is advised here; and how can that be, as The GOD, with HIS all attributes of Mercy is The GOD of the non-believers as well.

If the head of a tribe or a community advises its members not to make alliance with other hostile community, ignoring their own, then what is improper and objectionable in it?

However if we go deeper, in all such verses, a common word (aulia) in plural form (singular - wali) has varied connotations including close secret friendship. Some of the translators of different languages translated it as friend-ship without evaluating the circumstances and context. For friend, there is another word in the Holy Qur’an which is ‘Sadeeq’. In synonyms for friend, we find other words like ‘Khaleel’, Habeeb. But it is certain that word ‘Wali’ or ‘Aulia’ does not mean friend. It is mostly used in the meaning of protector and ally.

In Urdu this word is used for saint also which means a guardian for others. Communal conflicts, political rivalries and individual enmities should not culminate into mud slinging on Scriptural Text of our Sustainer.

It is quite clear that the word ‘wali’ or ‘Aulia’ does not refer here to normal individual friendship, but it aims at safeguarding the social security and military interests. We should rather appreciate the logic and wisdom inherent in the injunction. In hostile atmosphere when the two groups of people are at war or on no-friendly terms, a group must prefer for alliance those who profess the same ideology or have common interest.

Objection No 4: It is on Chapter 60 Verse 1, the translation of the full verse follows:

"O you who have attained to faith, do not take MY enemies - who are your enemies as well - for your ‘Aulia’ (alliance), showing them affection even though they are bent on denying whatever truth has come unto you, and even though they have driven the Messenger and yourselves away from own land, only because you believe in ALLAH, your Sustainer! If you have gone forth from your homes in Jihad in MY cause, and out of a longing for MY goodly acceptance, do not take them for your allies, inclining towards them in secret affection! For, I am fully aware of all that you may conceal as well as of all that you do openly, and any of you who do this has already strayed from the right path."

(From Holy Qur'an 60/1)

Want to see or listen the original text please click here

After studying the Verse carefully some points become prominently clear. They are as under:

A. In this verse occurs a word ‘wali’ which means an ally, a secret sharing close friend, a protector etc. To translate it just as a ‘friend’ is tantamount to doing little justice to its real connotation. The word is used in the Qur’an at different places and its meaning can be fixed taking into account the context of the verse in which it is employed

B. In the verse, the people for whom the Divine Order is revealed are those who perpetuated enmity on account of ideological differences and created tension in the society.

C. They had forced the Prophet of ALLAH and the believers to leave their homes and hearth just because they believed in One and Only GOD. They had no other charge against them. For their faith only, such harmless and peaceful citizens were persecuted to such a degree that migration remained the only alternative for them.

D. Even after migration, the enemies were not to rest. They fanned the fire of violence, and the believers were forced to come out to defend their life, property and honor.

In such circumstances, the faithfuls are required not to leak any vital information to the enemy. Perfect secrecy about the believers and their maneuvers was the first line of defense. The strictness of prohibition is evident from the subsequent verse meaning The GOD is fully aware of all that transpires among the believers and the non-believers.

This verse also contains some conditions. In tense situation one should strictly avoid becoming a source of vital information to the enemy despite old relations and family ties. Such prohibitions should not be objectionable to anybody who loves peace and non-violence. To arrive at an understanding of the Qur’an through the history of Muslims or the various biased commentaries is a dangerous course.