How to Deal With the Hypocrites
[4:88] Why should you divide yourselves into two groups regarding hypocrites (among you)? GOD is the one who condemned them because of their own behavior. Do you want to guide those who are sent astray by GOD? Whomever GOD sends astray, you can never find a way to guide them.
[4:89] They wish that you disbelieve as they have disbelieved, then you become equal. Do not consider them friends, unless they mobilize along with you in the cause of GOD. If they turn against you, you shall fight them, and you may kill them when you encounter them in war. You shall not accept them as friends, or allies.*
*4:89 The basic rule controlling all fighting is stated in 60:8-9.
[4:90] Exempted are those who join people with whom you have signed a peace treaty, and those who come to you wishing not to fight you, nor fight their relatives. Had GOD willed, He could have permitted them to fight against you. Therefore, if they leave you alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then GOD gives you no excuse to fight them.
[4:91] You will find others who wish to make peace with you, and also with their people. However, as soon as war erupts, they fight against you. Unless these people leave you alone, offer you peace, and stop fighting you, you may fight them when you encounter them. Against these, we give you a clear authorization.
Basic Law Regulating Relations With Unbelievers
[60:8] GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable.
[60:9] GOD enjoins you only from befriending those who fight you because of religion, evict you from your homes, and band together with others to banish you. You shall not befriend them. Those who befriend them are the transgressors.
Consistently in the Quran the messenger refers to verse 60:8 – 9 as to the criteria of the people we should not befriend. As human beings we have the tendency of extending this to a wider audience. We should error on the side of being nice and compassionate, but not to befriend people who are aggressors and wish the believers harm.
Rules of War*
[2:190] You may fight in the cause of GOD against those who attack you, but do not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors.
*2:190 All fighting is regulated by the basic rule in 60:8-9. Fighting is allowed strictly in self-defense, while aggression and oppression are strongly condemned throughout the Quran.
Do Not Befriend Hypocrites
[3:118] O you who believe, do not befriend outsiders who never cease to wish you harm; they even wish to see you suffer. Hatred flows out of their mouths and what they hide in their chests is far worse. We thus clarify the revelations for you, if you understand.
[3:119] Here you are loving them, while they do not love you, and you believe in all the scripture. When they meet you they say, “We believe,” but as soon as they leave, they bite their fingers out of rage towards you. Say, “Die in your rage.” GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.
[3:120] When anything good comes your way they hurt, and when something bad happens to you they rejoice. If you steadfastly persevere, and maintain righteousness, their schemes will never hurt you. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
Who we choose to surround ourselves with affects us and them. As submitters we should try our best to be thermostats and affect our environment rather than being thermometers who reflect the environment. Despite this it is naive to think that the people we choose to surround ourselves with will not have a toll on our personality and behavior.
Can Your Actions And Thoughts Influence People You Don’t Know? Prof. Fowler Explains
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzGUpUk7axA
It is essential as believers that we will be persecuted and if we are steadfast we will be able to use that situation for our growth. If we can trust in God, God will fix the situation.
Quran Talk Blog 