Partying Ways with Infidels
This is according to Hani Chitchian, a member of the Quran and Etrat School of the University of Tehran, speaking in the sixth session in a series on Surah At-Tawbah. Following are excerpts from his remarks in the session:
“The number of the months, with Allah, is twelve in the Book of Allah, the day when He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the right religion. Therefore, do not wrong yourselves in them and fight against the unbelievers all together as they themselves fight against you all together; know that Allah is with the cautious. The postponement of sacred months is an increase in disbelief in which the unbelievers are misguided. They allow it one year and forbid it another year, so that they can make up for the months that Allah has sanctified so making lawful what Allah has forbidden. Their foul acts seem fair to them Allah does not guide the unbelievers.” (Verses 36-37)
According to the verse, God has set four lunar months as Haram. He has introduced laws about marriage, the economy, and interaction between the poor and the rich.
Disavowal not equal to killing
What the Quran instructs is to part ways with the pagans and not let them misguide the believers. One can, for instance, adopt a scientific and cultural activity so that the other side will stop associating others with God.
Sometimes, the regulation of the lifestyle of infidels infiltrates into the life of Muslims, and some Muslims show indifference to this. The problem of society is that its members are not in the mood of confronting such challenges. “If you do not go forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment and replace you with another nation. You will in no way harm Him; for Allah has power over all things.” (Verse 39)
Verse 41 of the Surah addresses those who think that they have no social responsibility as their excuse is that they are busy. “March on and fight for the Way of Allah, with your wealth and your persons.”
“Had the gain been immediate or the journey easy, they would have followed you; but the distance seemed far to them. Yet they will swear by Allah: 'Had we been able, we would have gone out with you. ' They bring destruction upon their souls. Allah knows that they are lying.” (Verse 42)
This is where the Surah starts talking about the topic of hypocrites.
