Al-Walā͗ wal-Barā͗ (Allegiance and Disassociation) in Islam: A Source of Islamophobic Narratives?

Abstract

Al-Walā’ wal-Barā’ (Allegiance and Disassociation) elucidates the essence of the Muslims’ relationship with the ‘Other’ in socio-political terms. However, this concept has been marred with controversies and misunderstandings, largely due to the interpretations of Muslim ‘jihadists’ and Islamophobes. While jihadists interpret al-Walā’ wal-Barā’ as a justification for attacking non-Muslims, Islamophobes exploit this narrow interpretation to portray Islam as a violent religion. In its true essence, al-Walā’ wal-Barā’ upholds the spirit of Islam as defined in both the Qur͗ānic and Prophetic traditions. This study, rooted in an Islamic perspective, aims to dispel these misunderstandings. It first delves into the concept of al-Walā͗ wal-Barā͗, its interpretation, and the semantic distortions it has undergone from its origin to the present day. Second, it argues how a misinterpretation of this concept can fuel both Islamophobia and militancy. The article further posits that while the rules or codes of exclusion may persist, their implementation must align, at least to some extent, with the core principles of human rights and international relations.