Intermediate
Trust in Allah
Surah: Al-Maidah (82)
You Will Find the Nearest in Affection Those Who Say We Are Christians — The Sociology of Quran
وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقۡرَبَهُم مَّوَدَّةٗ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا نَصَٰرَىٰ
— المائدة الآية 82
Verse: "You will find the nearest in affection to the believers those who say: We are Christians." (5:82) — This verse does not issue an absolute religious judgment — it describes a social reality in a specific historical context. The reason given: "Among them are priests and monks who are not arrogant" — closeness stems from shared values: humility, knowledge, and renunciation of worldly vanity. Social lesson: bonds between people are built on shared values — humility, knowledge, piety — not religious affiliation alone.
Source: Ibn Kathir (3/149); Al-Sadi
Test Yourself
What reason does the Quran give for the closeness of some Christians to Muslims?
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