Prof. Ibrahim al-Hudhud, former President of al-Azhar University and the Scientific Consultant of WOAG, explained that the behavioral form of al- Wala’ (Loyalty) is advocacy and support, while the behavioral form of al- Bara’ (Disavowal) is hostility and disapproval. He explained that the concept of al-Wala’ wal-Bara’ is manifested when an enemy decides to take an offensive action and assaults your homeland; hence, al-Wala’ necessitates defending your homeland, your people and your identity, while al-Bara’ involves denouncing that enemy who seeks to demolish your identity, your safety and your homeland.
This came during a lecture Prof. al-Hudhud gave under the title of “The Concept of Al-Wala’ wal-Bara'”, attended by international students from different nationalities, at WOAG headquarters.
Prof. al-Hudhud stressed that al-Wala’ wal-Bara’ should be always understood within the frame of a system where a Muslim coexists with the Other. Indeed, a Muslim must stick to his/her religion and preserve his/her Islamic identity without prejudice to the concept of peaceful coexistence; that is what al-Walaa’ should be about. As for al-Baraa’, it necessitates that a Muslim should protect his/her identity against confusion, ambiguity and misconceptions such as Takfir and assaulting the infallible souls.
