3. Imam Mahdi (AS) and his companions were not happy about going to the houses of the mullahs and his opponents to learn or to listen to their sermons.

4. It is narrated that Mullah Moinuddin alias Kadria had sent word from Nahruala (now called Patan in Gujarat, India) through an emissary to Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ), requesting the latter to send two persons from his daira to learn (the science of religion) so that friendship could develop "between us." In reply, Bandagi Miyan (RZ) sent word that nobody would come to the mullah. The mullah reiterated his request to send at least one person from the daira so that friendship could develop "between us". Bandagi Miyan (RZ) again rejected the suggestion reiterating that nobody would go to the mullah for learning (the science of religion), "whether you establish friendship between us or not."

5. Hence, one should not obey those who refute the Truth (Haq), as Allah has said in Quran: "So do not pay any heed to those who deny thy mission (The Truth). They desire thee to deal with them tenderly in order that they might deal with thee tenderly." (S. 68: 8 and 9 SAL and AYA) In other words, they desire, O Muhammad (SLM), that if you treat them with tenderness and conciliate with them, they too would conciliate with you in respect of your religion. As Allah says: "They desire you to be unfaithful even as they are, and be on a level with them. Take not therefore any of them for friends till they have forsaken their homes in the cause of God.." (S. 4: 89 SAL)

6. Further, we have not heard from the companions of Imam Mahdi (AS) that the Imam had gone to the houses of his opponents to learn ilm (the religious sciences) or to listen to their sermons. We have not seen Imam Mahdi (AS), Miran Syed Mahmood (RZ), Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ), Miyan Ni'mat (RZ) and Miyan Dilawar (RZ) and most of the Imam's (AS) migrant-companions going to the mosques of the non-believers to listen to their sermons or to learn (religious sciences) from them. To learn from them or to listen to their sermons is a symbol of being friendly with them and of idleness and laziness. And Allah has prohibited this. Allah says: "O ye who believe! Take not for intimates others than your own folk, who would spare no pains to ruin you; they love to hamper you..."(S. 3: 118 MMP). (Bitaanata, in the Arabic text, is 'a friend, who is consulted respecting one's circumstances', or a bosom friend. AMD). Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Qatada, Siddi and Hassan Basri (RA) have said that this Verse was revealed in favour of the faithfuls (mumins) in circumstances where some people were in league with the hypocrites but outwardly they were with the mumins. However, in their heart of hearts they were with the people of the Books (Ahl-e-kitab); mumins showed affection towards them, they kept them with themselves (mumins), they trusted them and they even told them their (mumin's) secrets. Having seen this, Allah revealed this verse, prohibiting friendship (with non-Muslims).

7. During his reign as the second Caliph (RZ) of Prophet Muhammad (SLM), Hazrat Umar (RZ) sent an official to a tribe where the income from charity, jiziyah and other heads of account was large. And so was the expenditure. In the tribal locality, there was a Jew who was well versed in accounts and very frugal in business. The official wrote to the Caliph (RZ) that the income and expenditure being too large, he would not be able to keep the accounts properly, and that there was a Jew who was an expert in accounts in the locality. The official, further, stated that, if allowed, he would appoint the Jew as an accountant and trust him. In addition to this, he wrote about other requirements in his letter to the Caliph (RZ). The Caliph (RZ) wrote back to the official about all the matters in his reply, except the appointment of the Jew accountant. The official thought the Caliph (RZ) had erred or had forgotten the matter about the Jew. In his next letter to the Caliph (RZ), the official reiterated the matter about the appointment of the Jew, along with other issues. The Caliph (RZ) again replied to all the matters in the official's letter except the appointment of the Jew. In the third exchange of the letters too, the Caliph (RZ) kept quiet about the Jew. Now, the official came to the conclusion that it was not a mistake, oversight or the forgetfulness of the Caliph (RZ), but there was some mystry behind it. The official, therefore, came to meet the Caliph (RZ). The Caliph (RZ) saw the official coming into the Mosque. He got up, picked up a whip and started flogging him (the official). Simultaneously, the Caliph (RZ) went on reciting the following Quranic Verses:
   1. "O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors...(S. 5: 54 AYA)
    2. "O ye who believe ! Take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks..." (S. 3: 118 AYA)
    3. "O ye who believe ! Take not for friends Unbelievers rather than Believers... (S. 4: 144 AYA)
    4. "O ye who believe! Take not My enemies and yours as friends (or protectors).... (S. 60: 1 AYA)
Umar (RZ) continued to flog the official and recite the Verses, so much so that the official pleaded with the companions of the Caliph (RZ) seeking their intervention by saying that he had repented (tauba). Umar (RZ) let him go at the recommendation of his companions. The Caliph (RZ) then said: "Had you not repented, I would have continued to flog you and recite the Quranic Verses. Wonder of wonders. Allah has created you to be hostile to the Jew outwardly and inwardly, and you are trying to befriend him! Why should you not be punished?" There are many Quranic Verses in this respect.
    Allah says: "O ye who believe! Take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks: they will not fail to corrupt you. They    only desire your ruin: rank hatred has already appeared from their mouths: what their hearts conceal is far worse. We have made plain to you the Signs, if ye have wisdom. Ah! ye are those who love them, but they love you not,-though ye believe in the whole of the Book. When they meet you, they say, 'We believe': but when they are alone, they bite off the very tips of their fingers at you in their rage. Say: 'Perish in your rage; Allah knoweth well all the secrets of the heart." (S. 3: 118 and 119 AYA)
"O ye who believe! If ye listen to a faction among the People of the Book, they would (indeed) render you apostates after ye have believed!"  (S. 3: 100 AYA)
    "O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors; they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily, Allah guideth not a people unjust.
    "O ye who believe! Take not for friends and protectors those (S. 5:54 AYA)
who take your religion for a mockery or sport,-whether among those who received the Scripture before you, or among those who reject Faith; but fear ye Allah, if ye have faith (indeed). (S. 60: 1 AYA)

8. There are many Quranic Verses in this regard. They have been revealed with reference to the learned scholars of the Children of Israel. But the Quran is absolute and it is the final authority on the religion of Prophet Muhammad (SLM) for all and everyone who is like the Children of Israel till the Day of Resurrection. And whatever is written in the Quran is not abrogated or repealed.

9. Whoever goes to the houses of the (non-Mahdavi) mullahs and develops friendship with them, he violates the Quranic Verse and (is deemed) to be an opponent of Imam Mahdi (AS).

10. Friends. Whatever I state here are my circumstances. This bad habit is with us. But among those who were and are (brave) men, this bad habit did not occur and will never occur among the companions of Imam Mahdi (AS).

11. O my dear, the story of (brave) men and their valour will not be cherished by women. Whatever the bad habit I have written about in this tract, is (obviously) my own habit. And I have narrated the stories of the (brave) men who were the seekers of Allah.

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