Anas al-Hawleri

“Saudi is an American ally” refuted with the Sunnah. People recite the verse, “O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies” and they think this means you cannot even speak to them or trade with them. This is a result of not understanding the Arabic language and the context of Revelation. The Qur'an forbids Wilayah (heartfelt loyalty, religious alliance, and loving their disbelief), but it does not forbid Mu'amalat (worldly transactions, trade, and diplomacy). If dealing with them were 'Kufr' or 'treason', then how do you explain the actions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)? • Evidence 1: The Mortgaged Armor When the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away, his Zirah (shield/armor) was mortgaged, held as collateral by a Jewish man in exchange for some grain to feed his family. Reflect on this! The Leader of the Prophets, the Head of the Islamic State, had a business transaction with a Jew until the day he died. If a total boycott was a religious obligation, would the Prophet (peace be upon him) have taken a loan from a Jew? • Evidence 2: The Treaty and Partnership of Khaybar After the conquest of Khaybar, did the Prophet (peace be upon him) expel all the Jews immediately? No! He entered into a contractual partnership with them. He told them, ‘Stay on this land, farm it, and give us half the produce.’ This was an economic agreement between the Islamic State and a non-Muslim community. This is the wisdom of governance. • Evidence 3: The Food of the People of the Book Allah says in the Quran: “And the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you.” (Surah Al-Ma'idah). If we were meant to be in a state of total, permanent isolation and social boycott, why would Allah make their slaughtered meat and their food permissible for us to eat? • Evidence 4: The Migration to Abyssinia When the Sahaba were being persecuted in Makkah, where did the Prophet (peace be upon him) send them for safety? He sent them to Abyssinia, to a Christian King (the Negus). He didn't say, “They are Christians, so stay away.” He said, “Go there, for there is a King who does not wrong anyone.” He sought asylum and protection for the Muslims within a Christian kingdom because of that King's justice. • Evidence 5: The Treaty of Hudaybiya In the Treaty of Hudaybiya, the Prophet (peace be upon him) accepted conditions that seemed humiliating to the Muslims at the time. Even a companion as great as Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was distressed by the terms. But the Prophet (peace be upon him) signed it. Why? Because it brought a strategic peace that allowed the Message to spread. This proves that a leader can make a 'Peace Treaty' with the enemy if it serves the greater interest (Maslahat) of the Muslims. Conclusion: When you see a Muslim country like Saudi Arabia making treaties, engaging in diplomacy, or hosting international summits with Western powers, do not be quick to make Takfir of them. They are following the Sunnah of diplomacy. As long as they do not compromise on the Tawheed of Allah or the sanctity of the Haramain, these worldly treaties are permissible tools of statecraft. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used diplomacy to protect the blood of Muslims, and the scholars of today are doing the same.