[60] Surah Al-Mumtahanah [That Which Examines]: Ayat 001

১. মুমিনগণ, তোমরা আমার ও তোমাদের শত্রুদেরকে বন্ধরূপে গ্রহণ করো না।  তোমরা তো তাদের প্রতি বন্ধুত্বের বার্তা পাঠাও, অথচ তারা যে সত্য তোমাদের কাছে আগমন করেছে, তা অস্বীকার করছে। তারা রসূলকে ও তোমাদেরকে বহিস্কার করে এই অপরাধে যে, তোমরা তোমাদের পালনকর্তার প্রতি বিশ্বাস রাখ। যদি তোমরা আমার সন্তুষ্টিলাভের জন্যে এবং আমার পথে জেহাদ করার জন্যে বের হয়ে থাক, তবে কেন তাদের প্রতি গোপনে বন্ধুত্বের পয়গাম প্রেরণ করছ? তোমরা যা গোপন কর এবং যা প্রকাশ কর, তা আমি খুব জানি। তোমাদের মধ্যে যে এটা করে, সে সরলপথ থেকে বিচ্যুত হয়ে যায়।

Ayat 1. O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists, etc.) as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, this Qur’an, and Muhammad  [SAWW](PBUH), and have driven out the Messenger (Muhammad  [SAWW](PBUH) and yourselves (from your homeland) because you believe in Allah your Lord! If you have come forth to strive in My Cause and to seek My Good Pleasure, (then take not these disbelievers and polytheists, etc., as your friends). You show friendship to them in secret, while I am All-Aware of what you conceal and what you reveal. And whosoever of you (Muslims) does that, then indeed he has gone (far) astray, (away) from the Straight Path.

Tafseer of Surah Al-Mumtahanah (That Which Examines) Ayat 1. O ye who believe! Take not my enemies and yours as friends (or protectors),- offering them (your) love, even though they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, and have (on the contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homes), (simply) because ye believe in Allah your Lord! If ye have come out to strive in My Way and to seek My Good Pleasure, (take them not as friends), holding secret converse of love (and friendship) with them: for I know full well all that ye conceal and all that ye reveal. And any of you that does this has strayed from the Straight Path. The immediate occasion for this was a secret letter sent by one Hatib, a Muhajir, from Madinah, to the Pagans at Makkah, in most friendly terms, seeking for their protection on behalf of his children and relatives left behind in Makkah. The letter was intercepted, and he confessed the truth. He was forgiven as he told the truth and his motive did not appear to be heinous, but this instruction was given for future guidance. This was shortly before the conquest of Makkah, but the principle is of universal application. You cannot be on terms of secret intimacy with the enemies of your Faith and people, who are persecuting your Faith and seeking to destroy your Faith and you. You may not do so even for the sake of your relatives as it compromises the life and existence of your whole community. Such was the position of the Muslim community in Madinah after the Hijrah and before the conquest of Makkah. 

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said to Ashaj Abdul-Qais (May Allah be pleased with him), "You possess two qualities that Allah loves. These are clemency and tolerance.''  [Muslim Book 01,Chapter 07, Hadith # 024]

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Mumtahanah Ayat 01. I am All-Aware of what you conceal and what you reveal” This Hadith teaches us to adopt a patient, mild and discreet attitude towards others. Moreover, there is a provision for praising somebody in his presence, provided there is no likelihood of his being conceited. The Hadith also provides inspiration for the cultivation of good habits.