Knowing Your Enemy

Source: islamicthinkers.com

The Muslim is required to be aware, and learn about the plots and tricks of his enemy. Allah (subhaanahu wa-ta’aalaa) says in the Qur’aan:

إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُوا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ

Surely, Shaytaan [Satan] is an enemy to you, so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his hizb [followers] that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire. (EMQ Faatir, 35:6) This verse clearly informs us of who our enemy is: Shaytaan (the devil). Allah (SWT) strictly orders us to treat our enemy as our enemy – not as a friend or ally. Consequently, it is not allowed for a believer to have any sympathy, love, affection, compassion or respect for his enemy. Allah (SWT) says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَتَّخِذُوا عَدُوِّي وَعَدُوَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَاءَ تُلْقُونَ إِلَيْهِمْ بِالْمَوَدَّةِ

O you who believe! Take not my enemies [the disbelievers] and your enemies as awliyaa’ [friends, allies, supporters, assistants etc.], showing affection towards them… (EMQ al-Mumtahanah, 60:1)