Cant People of the Book become friends? It is allowed to marry women of the people of the book but not allowed to become friends?

It is against Quran and will of Allah not to become friends with People of the Book and not to dare to deal with them at all like some people claim. Those people try to find support their claims with verse 51 surat-al Maide in which our Lord states: O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.

The word “ friends” exists two times in the verse; first is “evliyau” which means “ protectors, liable people in front of law, masters, owners). The other one is “ Yeteyellehum” which means “ take care of him, become in power over him ,take the power in hand” By this verse, Allah indicates Muslims not to be

under the power , control or management of the Christians and Jews in a state. Clearly, there exists no such a meaning like Muslim should not be in good relations with Christians and Jews or carry hostility against them like some people say.

Our Lord has very obvious, clear verses in which He stated that People of the Book are not all alike. If we should have taken enemies all the people whom are not Muslims; Allah would not reveal such verses in favor of People of the book. Furthermore if again all non Muslims (Christians and Jews) were our enemies; He would not permit us to eat their food and marry their women. As an example, Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) married a non Muslim women. It is allowed to go to a wedding or a funeral of the People of the Book, their food is allowed eat, we can conduct business with them and can live as friends and brothers side by side . These are all obvious within the practice of our Prophet. Otherwise, how would it be possible to marry or share the same table with someone whom you don’t trust and carry hostility against? We would like remind some other verses to some people who only take Maide 51 as reference about the subject;

— Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of Allah all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. (The Family of Imran, 113)

They are not all alike!

— … Among the People of the Book are some who, if entrusted with a hoard of gold, will (readily) pay it back; ; … (The Family of Imran, 75)

– And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book, those who believe in Allah, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to Allah: They will not sell the Signs of Allah for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, and Allah is swift in account.… (The Family of Imran, 199)

Allah says there are such People of the Book who believe Quran revealed to us and the books revealed to them at the same time.

– This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time,- when ye give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues if any one rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).

(The Table spread; 5)

It is allowed to eat food of the people of the Book and marry their women.

– … nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, “We are Christians”: because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.

(The Table spread , 82)

Christians are the ones who closest to believers in terms of love.

– Those who believe (in the Qur’an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (The Cow, 62)

Allah says that those people of the Book who believe in Allah and the Judgment day and conduct good deeds; they have reward accordingly and they will not grieve.

Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.

(Examining her , 8) As per this verse, Allah commands us to be just to those whom do not fight with us about our religion

… O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.

(Maidah , 8) He commends

Note:

People who do not want to believe translation of the word “Veli” in Arabic is ruler not friend ; we wpnder how they translated the plural word of Veli in Surat al Cow ; 282 ? What would be the menaing if they regard the word EVLIYA as FRIENDS in this verse. We wonder why those people chose to use the meaning “ The ruler” in this verse but chose to use “ friends” as translation in Surat-al Maide 51.

”ev lâ yestatîu en yumille huve felyumlil veliyyuhu bil adl(adli)” How do they translate the word VELI in this verse? If he is not eligible to write ; who should write instead of him ; his FRINED or SOMEONE RESPONSIBLE OF HIM