A true Muslim

"A true Muslim is one whom the Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hands ..." (Bukhari)

There are several levels of Imaan. Therefore, there are several categories of Muslims in relation to the degree of Imaan that each one possesses. If it is true to say that a person who harms others is still a Muslim, it is also true that he is not a good Muslim.

A good Muslim or a Muslim in the true sense of the word is someone who behaves in such a manner that he becomes a source of peace for others. He inspires love and affection. Everyone feels at ease and secure with him. A person feels secure when his life, his honour, his property and his family are secure. Thus, a true Muslim is someone who does not make others suffer in any way. He does not interfere with his life, his honour, his wealth and his family.

Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has mentioned the hand and tongue in this Hadith because a person uses these two parts the most to harm others. Nevertheless, it is not permissible to harm with any part of the body. If a person uses his feet to harm a person, then this also is forbidden and Haraam. And it also prevents the person from becoming a real Muslim.

Basically, a Muslim stays in a Muslim environment. It is in regards to this context that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has qualified the one who does not harm Muslims as a true Muslim. This does not mean in the least that it is permissible to harm non-Muslims because just as it is necessary to act well with Muslims, in the same way one must not harm the non-Muslims as well. But that does not mean that it is permissible to develop intimate relationship with non-Muslims.

Islam authorises us to establish contact with non-Muslims to trade. In the same way, it is recommended to sympathise with them and help them in their difficulty. It is also permissible to act with them by courtesy and diplomacy with the sole purpose of promoting the Deen without intending any worldly gain or personal interest.

However, it is not permissible to establish an intimate relationship with them at any time. Allah Ta'ala has prohibited this same type of relationship with them in many places in the Qur'an-e-Kareem.

[English version of "Ene vrai musulman" – Al Jamiat – Vol.5 No.11]