In this passage, ‘Isa al Masih (pbuh) delivers some of his most radical teaching by challenging his followers to love their enemies. Read this story from the Holy Injil (al-kitab.org) beginning in Matthew 5:38.

Matthew 5:38-48

³⁸[‘Isa said] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ [Quoted in the Taurat – Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, Deuteronomy 19:21] ³⁹But I tell you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴²Give to him who asks you, and do not turn away him who wants to borrow from you.

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. ⁴⁶For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁸Therefore be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Study the Story

Do you have a friend with you now?  If so, then tell each other this message in your own words and help each other remember the complete teaching.  If you are alone, then please take a moment to retell the message to yourself in your own words.  Also, think of a friend you can share this teaching with later on.

As you study this message, what does it teach you about ‘Isa al Masih (pbuh)?  (Think about this before reading more.)

Key Points

The message of ‘Isa al Masih (pbuh) in this passage is very clear. Love your enemies. He doesn’t offer any escape from this command. There are no conditions; no opportunities to side-step his clear expectation. It doesn’t matter how awful your enemy is. The command is the same. Love your enemies.

Why should you love your enemies? ‘Isa (pbuh) gives two reasons. First, he says that you will be a child of your heavenly father when you love your enemies. Children are like their parents. So, ‘Isa (pbuh) is implying that Allah is one who loves his enemies. ‘Isa (pbuh) even concludes that part of the perfection of Allah is that he loves his enemies.

The second reason ‘Isa (pbuh) provides is that you distinguish yourself from the evil-doers when you love your enemies. In the days of ‘Isa (pbuh) tax collectors were commonly used as an example of an evil-doer. The tax collectors were Jewish men who served their Roman conquerors by collecting tax from their fellow Jews. They were often corrupt and collected more taxes than they should collect. Thus, they betrayed their own people and Allah himself in their corruption. ‘Isa (pbuh) teaches that if we hate our enemies, then we are no different than the tax collectors. We are evil-doers like them who have betrayed our community and Allah. However, if we love our enemies, then we are different, and our reward will be great.

Unfortunately, I know that I have hated my enemies. In doing so, I have betrayed Allah and have become his enemy. My only hope is that he would love me anyway, that he would do good to me even though I have betrayed him. Could his love and kindness transform my heart and win my eternal loyalty? Could I find the strength to love my enemies if I know that Allah has loved me even when I was his enemy?

Dua

Are you aware of enemies in your life? Perhaps you think someone has tried to curse you with the evil eye. Are you able to pray for them and do good to them? If you would like the help of Allah to love your enemies, say a dua like this:

Oh Allah, you are the perfect one. In your perfection, you love your enemies, even enemies like me who have betrayed you by __________. Thank you for your love and kindness. Help me understand more of your love so that I can be more loving to others. I have enemies in my life, but I pray for their well-being. Oh Allah, please bless those who are trying to harm me: ___________. Give me the strength to love them and do good to them so that I can be perfect like you are perfect.