In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

As documented previously, American Muslim preacher Yusuf Estes denies the existence of hatred in Islam. In fact, for a Muslim to hate something is “the beginning of the problem” as he puts it.

His exact words are as follows:

…But you know, when people have to hate something, that’s the beginning of the problem.  I don’t have to hate anybody to be a Muslim.  If somebody needs me to hate Christians, I don’t need that.  If you need me to hate the Jewish, I don’t need that…

Source: YouTube

Once again, the teachings of Yusuf Estes stand in in stark contradiction to the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace), who said:

(( إِنَّ أَوْثَقَ عُرَى الإِيْمَانِ أَنْ تُحِبَّ فِي اللهِ وَتُبْغِضَ فِي اللهِ ))

“Verily the strongest handhold of faith is that you love for the sake of Allah and that you hate for the sake of Allah.” [Ahmad 4/286, authentic]

We have previously clarified the falsehood of this teaching [here], and we have relayed the response of one of our scholars, a former professor at Madeenah University and mufti at the Prophet’s Masjid [here].

Recently, we posed a question to the senior scholar and member of the Permanent Committee of Scholars in Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan (may Allah preserve him):

What is the ruling on rejecting the idea of hatred for the sake of Allah and claiming that it is not from Islam? Is a person’s Islam valid if he does not hate the Jews and Christians?

The shaykh responded:

Walaa’ and baraa’ (the islamic system of loyalty) is a must. (It is) disallegiance with the enemies of Allah and loyalty to the allies of Allah. Walaa’ and baraa’ means to have hatred, declaring oneself free of them (the disbelievers) and their religion, this is baraa’.

Walaa’ means to love Allah, to love His Messenger, and to love His believing servants, take them as allies and come to their defense.

“Indeed you have a good example in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: We are free of you and all that you worship beside Allah…” [Meaning of Quran 60:4]

They declared themselves free of them and their idols, their objects of worship.

“…We are free of you and all that you worship beside Allah. We have disbelieved in you (i.e. your religion), and there shall be enmity and hatred between us forever, unless you believe in Allah alone.” [Meaning of Quran 60:4]

Thus it is not permissible to love the disbelievers. Whoever takes them as allies, Allah, the Mighty and Most High, has said [what means]:

“O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and Christians as allies! They are allies of one another. Whoever takes them as allies is indeed from them. Verily Allah does not guide people who are oppressive.” [Meaning of Quran 5:51]

The issue is very serious. Walaa’ (loyalty) and baraa’ (disallegiance) are from the essential foundations of this Religion. The religion (of a person) is not valid without both of them.

Source: The shaykh’s recorded answer given on 1434/8/23 in Jeddah. [audio/transcript]

As you can see, this hatred which Yusuf Estes refers to as “the beginning of the problem” is in fact an absolutely essential concept in Islam according to the Quran, Sunnah, and scholars of Islam.

Disclaimer: Muslims have every right to love and hate as their Lord has asked them to.  While the non-Muslims typically frown on this concept, Muslims seek to please Allah, not His disbelieving creation. We do not change our Religion to match the whims of the people and agree with what they feel are acceptable religious beliefs. This does not mean that our hatred is allowed to manifest through acts of transgression against innocent people living in a peaceful society. Allah says (what means):

“Allah does not prevent you from dealing justly and kindly with those who have not fought against you nor expelled you from your homelands. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity.” [Meaning of Quran 60:8]

While Muslims are required to love and hate for the sake of Allah, we are also commanded to be fair and deal with people fairly and kindly. Unjustly transgressing against non-Muslims’ personal safety and property is strictly forbidden in Islam.

Instead of adopting the balanced system of Islamic loyalty according to the Book and the Sunnah, Yusuf Estes, due to his own ignorance, attempts to appease the non-Muslims by modifying Islam to fit their whims. These kinds of blatant contradictions to true Islamic teachings coming from Yusuf Estes are nothing new.  In fact, the following free e-book outlines many of the most dangerous of his beliefs, so that you and your family can educate yourselves and be on guard against them:

The Teachings of Yusuf Estes About the Quran (PDF)

And Allah knows best.

Written by Moosaa Richardson