Q35.FRIENDSHIP WITH ENEMIES OF ISLAMS "O ye who believe...

Q35.FRIENDSHIP WITH ENEMIES OF ISLAMS "O ye who believe, choose not for friends such of those who received the scripture before you, and of the disbelievers, as make a jest and sport of your religion........" (v.60). Is it a sin (according to this verse) to establish friendship with Jews, Christians or Atheists? A. Yes.

A faithful Muslim should not be in intimate association with those "who take your religion for a mockery or sport", because such an association will sap the earnestness of his own faith and turn him into a cynical and insincere Muslim. Q36: IS MIDDLE EAST WAR A JIHAD? When recently in England, I heard a friend saying that the recent Middle East War was classed as 'Jihad'.

I was very surprised to hear it because I am under the impression that a war is classed as Jihad only when fought for the defence of Islam. A. A war is called 'Jihad' if it is fought with permission of Prophet or Imam (peace be on them all). Also a war fought for the defence of the Muslims (not "defence of Islam") is called Jihad.

Now the war of the Muslims against Israel is 'Jihad' (in the meaning of Defensive War) because it is the Jews who have come from all around the world to Palestine and have turned the Palestinian Muslims out, usurping their country, land, farms and homes Now a generation has passed that the Palestinian Muslims are living in tents of the refugee camps, without any root anywhere. They are fighting to regain their homes and motherland, and as such it is a 'Jihad'.

Q37: CAN LADIES AND GENTS SIT TOGETHER IN RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS? The Ithna-asheris in our town (in Canada) have established a Union to perform religious ceremonies. At the moment the Union does not have any particular place to hold Majlises; they hire halls for this purpose once a month. In these majlises and other social functions, our ladies and gents sit in the same room or hall where there is no purdah at all.

The argument put by them is: "When our ladles go out for work or for shopping, they are not in Purdah; then why purdah in majlis? Also, they say that discrimination is prohibited in the country. I, by this letter, seek guidance from you, according to the rules of the Sheriat. A. I was shocked to read that the Union "is holding majlises and other functions where the ladies and gents sit in the same room or hall where there is no purdah at all".

It is amusing to note that they are doing it in the name of avoiding 'discrimination'. Your country is a Christian one.