Page 88 - Commonly Disregarded Qur'anic Rulings

86 COMMONLY DISREGARDED QURANIC RULINGS

love and respect to these would indicate support and
approval of their negative attitude.
However, it is also important not to misunderstand the
concept of deterrence, since in this context it does not entail

deterrence in the physical sense. What is actually meant is to
thwart the expectations of the hypocrites and unbelievers
through resoluteness and strong commitment to religious
moral values.
Deterrence also means thwarting strategies directed
against Muslims by exposing them, assuming a clear stance
towards their reprehensible attitudes and not being intimate
friends with such people.
Believers are the people whom hypocrites fear most. In
the Qur’an, Allah states that hypocrites fear them as they fear
Allah (Surat al-Hashr; 13). For this reason, it is important for
a Muslim to have the taqwa (fear for Allah) that puts fear into
the hearts of His enemies and to those hostile to Muslims.
At the same time, getting along well with non-Muslims who
do not engage in efforts against Islam and attempting to bring
the hearts of people recently introduced to Islam nearer to

the faith are practices encouraged by Allah in the Qur’an.

REMAINING STEADFAST AND FIRM

The strength of a believer’s faith, sincerity and commit-
ment to Allah’s cause becomes obvious from his steadfast-
ness, which also reflects the intensity of honor he feels for his
religion.