REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The Quran provides guidance on how to interact with non-Muslims, including Jews.

In the Quran, Allah expressly forbids Muslims to make non-Muslims faithful friends. In Quran Surat Al-Maidah verse 51, Allah SWT says:

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلْيَهُودَ وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۘ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

Yā ayyuhallażīna āmanụ lā tattakhiżul-yahụda wan-naṣārā auliyā`, ba'ḍuhum auliyā`u ba'ḍ, wa may yatawallahum mingkum fa innahụ min-hum, innallāha lā yahdil-qaumaẓ-ẓālimīn

It means: “O you who believe, do not make Jews and Christians your faithful friends. Some of them become loyal friends to others. Whosoever of you has made them faithful friends, then he is among them. Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoers.”

This verse has also been a hot topic in Indonesia. Because, in 2017, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) was considered demeaning to this verse of the Quran.

Ahok's statement was delivered during a visit on September 27, 2016 related to the cultivation of grouper fish. Here is the full statement of the former Governor of Jakarta:

“So don't trust people, it could be that in your little heart, you couldn't choose me, right? Lied in Surah Al-Maidah 51, that sort of thing. That's your mothers' right. So if you feel that you can't choose, because I'm afraid of going to hell because I'm stupid, that's fine.”

The verse that was the object of the blasphemy case also sparked massive peaceful demonstrations in Jakarta. A sea of men when it took to the streets demanding justice and demanding that Ahok be put on trial.

In the Book of “Jami' al-Bayan an Ta'wil Ayyil Qur'an”, at-Thabari has discussed several histories relating to the context of the decline of this verse.

After quoting the story of Ubadah bin Shamit and Abdullah bin Ubay, the story of Abu Lubabah, and the story of two Muslims who converted because of fear of suffering, at-Thabari said:

“The correct opinion in our opinion is that Allah forbids all believers from making Jews and Christians helpers, allies, and companions of the coalition that can harm other believers.

Allah informs anyone who makes them a helper, ally, and faithful friend, then he is part and side with them against Allah (SWT), the Messenger of Allah, and the believers. Thus, Allah and the Messenger of Allah are not responsible for them.”

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