Meaning of: “Taking kaafirs as close friends and protectors is haraam.”
Yes, examples will certainly explain and clarify what is meant, so we will move straight on to quoting some of the most important points that the scholars and leaders of da’wah have said about different ways of showing friendship towards kaafirs.
1.Accepting their kufr and doubting that it is kufr at all, or refraining from labeling them as kaafirs, or praising their religion. Allaah says about the kufr of the one who accepts them (interpretation of the meaning): “… but such as open their breasts to disbelief…” [al-Nahl 16:106]. Allaah says, making it obligatory to label the kaafirs as such (interpretation of the meaning): “… Whoever disbelieves in Taaghoot [false deities] and believes in Allaah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break…” [al-Baqarah 2:256]. Allaah says about the munaafiqoon (hypocrites) who prefer the kuffaar to the Muslims (interpretation of the meaning) “… [they] say to the disbelievers that they are better guided as regards the way than the believers (Muslims).” [al- Nisa ’ 4:51].
2.Referring to them for judgment. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… they wish to got for judgment (in their disputes) to the Taaghoot (false judges, etc.) while they have been ordered to reject them…” [al- Nisa ’ 4:60]
3.Befriending and liking them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “You will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger…” [al-Mujaadilah 58:22]
4.Inclining towards them, relying upon them and taking them as a support. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And incline not towards those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you…” [Hood 11:113]
5.Helping and supporting them against the Muslims. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “The believers, men and women, are awliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another…” [al-Tawbah 9:71]. He also says of the kuffaar that they are “ but awliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) to one another…” [al-Maa’idah 5:51]. And He says (interpretation of the meaning): “…And if any amongst you takes them as awliya’, then surely he is one of them.” [al-Maa’idah 5:51].
6.Becoming members of their societies, joining their parties, increasing their numbers, taking their nati, serving in their armies or helping to develop their weapons.
7.Bringing their laws and rules to the Muslim countries. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Do they then seek the judgement of the Days of Ignorance?…” [al-Maa’idah 5:50]
8.Taking them as friends in general terms, taking them as helpers and supporters, and throwing in one’s lot with them. Allaah forbids all this, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as awliya’ (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but awliya’ to one another…” [al-Maa’idah 5:51].
9.Compromising with them and being nice to them at the expense of one’s religion. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of
courtesy) with them, so that they (too) would compromise with you.”
[al-Qalam 68:9]. This includes sitting with them and entering upon them
at the time when they are making fun of the Signs of Allaah. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning): “And it has already been revealed
to you in the Book that when you hear the Verses of Allaah being denied
and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk
other than that; (but if you stayed with them), certainly in that case
you would be like them…” [al- Nisa ’ 4:140]