RE: “Hamza Yusuf Hanson and calling a kafir a kafir”

          

          

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

          

May His blessings and peace be on His Beloved Prophet, the best of
          creation, and his family, companions, and followers

          

          

Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

          

          

I don't know what Shaykh Hamza Yusuf (Allah preserve him) said. If
          your question is regarding his words, please ask him. It appears that
          you may have misunderstood what the Shaykh was saying, or missed the
          context.

          

          

Shaykh Hamza seems to have been pointing us to be concerned about
          ourselves, and our relation to our Lord, rather than harboring false
          pride in being believers, especially when we lack the fruits faith:
          humility, piety, and practice in accordance with the guidance of the
          Beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace).

          

          

As for ‘befriending disbelievers,’ there is a clear distinction made
          between those whom one takes as one’s general close companions in
          life—these should generally be Muslims—and those whom one works or
          associates closely with when there is clear benefit or need (whether
          personal or social).

          

          

In a non-Muslim society, Muslims need strong communities in which
          deep ties of brotherhood and sisterhood exist among the believers. At
          the very same time, it is essential for Muslims to be active members of
          the society that live in, promoting the good in all meaningful ways.

          

          

It is important to have respect and love for the scholars of Sunni
          Islam, and to understand their words as they meant them, not as our
          emotions and passions dictate.

          

          

Wassalam,

          

          

Faraz Rabbani