Obligation 8: Enmity & Hatred
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 1:57 pm
Islam emphasizes the importance of peace, justice, and maintaining good relationships with others, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims. Enmity, hatred, and hostility are discouraged unless there are legitimate reasons grounded in justice, such as opposing oppression or standing against wrongdoing. Muslims today are unfortunately keeping enmity and hatred with just anyone, just because they do not think like them.
Enmity Among Muslims
Forbidden Without Just Cause
Unity is a Religious Obligation
Muslims are commanded to maintain unity and avoid disputes:
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Islam encourages forgiveness and reconciliation over harboring grudges:
Enmity is justified if a Muslim commits clear injustice or causes harm, but even in such cases, the goal is to correct the behavior, not perpetuate hatred.
Enmity with Non-Muslims
Respect and Kindness Toward Non-Muslims
Islam commands fairness and kindness toward non-Muslims who do not show hostility:
Hostility toward non-Muslims without cause is not allowed. Muslims are encouraged to deal with everyone justly:
If a non-Muslim oppresses, fights, or harms Muslims, then defending oneself is allowed, but even this must be done with justice and without excess:
Islam strongly discourages enmity with others, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims, except in cases where it is necessary to uphold justice or protect against oppression. Even in such cases, the goal should always be reconciliation, peace, and fairness. Muslims are encouraged to embody compassion, forgiveness, and justice in all their relationships.
Enmity Among Muslims
Forbidden Without Just Cause
Unity is a Religious Obligation
Muslims are commanded to maintain unity and avoid disputes:
Prohibition of Enmity and Hatred“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”
(Surah Al-Imran, 3:103)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Forgiveness Over Hatred“Do not hate one another, do not envy one another, and do not turn your backs on one another. Be, O servants of Allah, brothers.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
Islam encourages forgiveness and reconciliation over harboring grudges:
Exceptions“The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.”
(Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:10)
Enmity is justified if a Muslim commits clear injustice or causes harm, but even in such cases, the goal is to correct the behavior, not perpetuate hatred.
Enmity with Non-Muslims
Respect and Kindness Toward Non-Muslims
Islam commands fairness and kindness toward non-Muslims who do not show hostility:
Prohibited Unjust Hostility“Allah does not forbid you from being righteous and just toward those who have not fought you because of religion and have not expelled you from your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.”
(Surah Al-Mumtahanah, 60:8)
Hostility toward non-Muslims without cause is not allowed. Muslims are encouraged to deal with everyone justly:
Exception for Hostility in Defense“And do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:8)
If a non-Muslim oppresses, fights, or harms Muslims, then defending oneself is allowed, but even this must be done with justice and without excess:
Conclusion“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:190)
Islam strongly discourages enmity with others, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims, except in cases where it is necessary to uphold justice or protect against oppression. Even in such cases, the goal should always be reconciliation, peace, and fairness. Muslims are encouraged to embody compassion, forgiveness, and justice in all their relationships.