Baronvonrort wrote on Nov 27
th, 2012 at 1:31pm:
Well done Gandalf did you read the translation by Muhsin Khan?
He doesn't categorically say its "friends" either - but "friends, protectors, helpers, etc". The arabic word used is clearly a loaded word, but it is clear that it is understood as not merely "friend", but someone you look to for protection, guidance, patronage etc. Its not unreasonable for muslims to avoid this from christians and jews - as I'm sure christians and jews would reasonably avoid the same from muslims.
Baronvonrort wrote on Nov 27
th, 2012 at 1:31pm:
Why would anyone take your word for this over all the Quran translators at Quran.com?
I see you missed the Dr Ghali translation:
Quote:O you who have believed, do not take to yourselves the Jews and the Nasara (Christians) as patrons; some of them are patrons to some (others). And whoever of you patronizes them, then surely he is one of them. Surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.
If we look at the actual definitions from an objective source, firstly the word used "Auliya":
Quote:Auliya (awlia) is an Arabic word usually translated as friend, helper, supporter, patron or protector.[1] It's often used to designate the status of a saint. For example, the famous Nizamuddin Auliya became known as such after his religious contributions. One of his sayings also demonstrates the use of the word Auliya to designate sainthood: "The love of Awlia (saints) is stronger than their reason."
wikipediaand its singular form, "wali":
Quote:Walī (Arabic: ولي, plural Awliyā' أولياء), is an Arabic word meaning "custodian", "protector", "helper", or authority as denoted by its definition "crown".[1] "Wali" is someone who has "Walayah" (authority or guardianship) over somebody else. For example, in fiqh, a father is wali of his children. In Islam, the phrase ولي الله walīyu l-Lāh[2] can be used to denote one vested with the "authority of God":
Note "authority of God" - and indeed 5:55 goes on to use the same word (wali) to tell muslims God is their only "wali". Using your misinformed logic, this is saying that muslims cannot even have muslims as friends.
wikipedia