Islam never explicitly said that we must love our enemies. But it did clearly state that we must be kind to our enemies. As said in the Holy Quran,
“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as witnesses to fair dealings 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. Fear Allah, indeed Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” – Al Maida (5:8)
A Muslim should be wise enough to show justice even to their enemies. Allah SWT knows that it’s not easy to control ourselves when we are clouded with rage and anger towards somebody. That is why only human with high quality of Imaan are able to treat their enemies with kindness. Here are the basic things of how to treat enemies in Islam:
1. Forgive What They Have Done To Us
Being able to forgive is a quality that only Muslim have. As Allah SWT is Merciful, there is no excuse for us not to forgive others, including our enemies.
“And those who, when tyranny strikes them, they defend themselves, And the recompense of evil is punishment like it, but whoever forgives and amends, he shall have his reward from Allah; surely He does not love the unjust. And whoever avenges himself after having been wronged – those have not upon them any cause [for blame]. The way (of blame) is only against those who oppress mankind, and wrongfully rebel in the earth. For such there is a painful doom.” – Ash Shuraa (42:39-42)
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2. Stand for Yourself
When we are wronged by people, we may fight back and defend our right. However, we must let them go when they are responsible for their wrongdoings.
‘Whoever suffers an injury done to him and forgives (the person responsible), Allah will raise his status to a higher degree and remove one of his sins.’ – Tirmidhi
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3. Don’t Respond It with Evil
The Prophet (SAW) said that we must not return evil deeds with another evil since it will creates the never ending vicious circle of revenge and hatred. Never react to things without really think about it.
“Do not be people without minds of your own, saying that if others treat you well you will treat them well, and that if they do wrong you will do wrong. Instead, accustom yourselves to do good if people do good and not to do wrong if they do evil.” – Tirmidhi
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4. Turn Your Cheek
As the Prophet (SAW) said, when we are clouded with rage and anger, it’s better for us to turn our cheek rather than facing the enemies. Since human cannot think straight when they’re angry. We don’t necessarily have to turn out cheek. The real meaning behind it is to turn our head from whoever make us angry.
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5. Pray for Them
[AdSense-A] This could be the most difficult thing so far in treating your enemies. How could we pray for the one we hate? As difficult as it is, the reward is also very high and it benefit us in the Hereafter. Allah SWT and the Prophet has shown explicit example in the past that Muslim should be able to forgive.
“My Lord, forgive my people for they do not know.” – Bukhari
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6. Ask for Their Guidance
The Prophet (SAW) has once asked by his companions to condemned his enemies to the Hellfire. However, the Prophet refused it and wishing to find the guidance ofrom Allah SWT instead.
As reported by Abu Huraira (RA), At-Tufail came with his companions and they said,
“O Messenger of Allah, the tribe of Daws has disbelieved and rejected you, so pray to Allah against them.”
And it was said,
“May the tribe of Daws be destroyed!”
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
O Allah, guide the tribe of Daws and bring them to me. – Bukhari
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7. Remember About the Shaytan’s Doing
When hatred sparks in the heart of a Muslim, surely it was Shaytan who did that. As Shaytan has swore, they will never cease to tempt the sons of Adam.
O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. – Al Baqara (2:168)
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Characteristics We Must Avoid When Treating the Enemis
Here are the certain characteristics that Allah hates and loves the most by Shaytan. If we have them in us, it means we have fallen in the trap of Shaytan:
- Loving the world and the life, while our original purpose is to worship Allah SWT.
- Never remembering about death and feeling like we will live forever.
- A heart full of arrogance, pride, haughtiness, and conceit.
- Showing what we have while we know everything belongs to Allah.
- Against the decree that Allah has for us. Often doubting when some unfortunate thing happen to us like, “Why should I have to face that kind of people?”
- Never counting on Allah’s blessing and feeling short of anything. It’s definitely the Shaytan’s doing.
- Following our desires without thinking much whether it’s wrong or right and doing anything that we like.
- Filling the mind with negative thoughts and it affects us in a bad way.
- Never ask for Allah’s forgiveness and feeling optimistic that we will go into Jannah.
- Thinking ourselves is surely saved from the punishment after death.
- Reacting badly without even thinking about it twice.
- Sending hatred back to the enemy which cause fights between Muslim brothers and sisters.
- Never pray for them and feeling that ourselves is definitely better than them.
So those are how to treat enemies in Islam. Indeed, Islam is prefect, Muslims not. We should always enriched our knowledge about Islam so that we can always learn to be the perfect Muslim.