ADNAN OKTAR: “You who believe! Do not take the Jews and Christians as your friends; they are the friends of one another. Any of you who takes them as friends is one of them. Allah does not guide wrongdoing people.” (Surat Al-Ma’ida, 51)

The words “friends” appears twice in this verse. One represents the Arabic world “awliyao,” meaning “protectors, those responsible in the sight of the law, parents, owners, or rulers.”  The other is the word “yatawallahum.” This also means “to assume the care of, take command of, or to assume the administration of.” The word “friend” in this verse therefore bears the meaning of “rule.” Allah tells Muslims not to enter under the rule of Jews and Christians. In other words, they cannot become governors or similar officials. No Christian or Jew can therefore be a governor or minister over us. And this is quite normal, as we are Muslims, but they will act in the light of their own beliefs. And that will conflict with our beliefs. Allah tells us not to permit it. That is what it means. Otherwise, our Prophet (saas) himself married a woman who is a member People of the Book. He took her as his wife. One can go to their weddings and funerals, eat their food, do business with them and live side by side with them as friends and brother. It does not mean that, it means they cannot be our rulers. And they themselves would not accept such a thing, either. They would not want a Muslim to be in charge of them, because a Muslim will act in the light of his own beliefs. And they will not accept that, of course. For example, wine is permitted in Christianity but is unlawful in Islam. How would that work? It is of course impossible.

PRESENTER: They would have to raise empty glasses.

ADNAN OKTAR: So it is clearly out of the question.