Assalamu alaikum sister a_stranger
Thank you for posting these verses, which really conclude the whole discussion. How clear is Quran! And how unclear is our understanding. Alas!
Traditional interpretation of Quran 5:51
The thread was started in 2011 with an article of answering christianity. I have seen, that they have done some effort to resolve this paradox pointed out by sister Cariad. The main object of discussion is the following verse:
Just like this translation of Sahih International, they propose, that the word Wali in the above verse cannot be translated as friend but as alliance. This apparently resolves the above paradox but opens up a door of a series of historic "stupidities". I wittnessed one such stupidity in an interview of Dr. Israr Ahmed of Pakistan, when he was asked about Pakistan's close relations with China and about his desire (at that particular time) to have good relations with India. On that question, he said, we are only asked not to be alliance with Jews and Christians. Mushrikeen are not included. You see, how stupid this interpretation can make an otherwise great scholar like Dr. Israr Ahmed?
We are asked to be with 'adl, with justice. If we interpret this verse, like it is usually done, then that would mean, Quran is ('Iyyazubillah) suggesting, that Christians and Jews will always be unjust for all time to come. There is a chance for others, like mushrikeen, to be just but there is no chance for christians and jews to be just. I ask you, can that be true? The fact is, muslims have always been making alliances with christians and jews and in most cases for good reasons. Meethaaq of Medina being the first such example and the saudi alliance with americans against Iraq after Ibn Baaz's fatwa a more recent example. 'Adl is decisive brothers and sisters not the religious belonging of a nation. We are asked to be against our own people, if they are not on 'adl.
So I completly reject this translation of "alliance" for Wali in this particular verse and announce my Bara'ah for all those who are associating this to Islam.
So how should it be interpreted?
Following is (more or less) the translation of Ustaaz Javed Ahmed Ghamidi:
"O you who have believed, do not make THESE jews and christians your friends. They are friends of eachother. And (remember), if somebody from you makes them his friend (despite this warning), then he will be counted among them. Verily Allah guides not the wrongdoing people."
Decisive word in the above translation is "these". This is the translation of the definite article "alif laam" in the context of this verse and in the overall context of Quran. The verses of Surah Al Mumtahina you have quoted are also supporting this translation.
It is clear, that muslims are asked to break all social and political relations with this particular group of the people of the book, who, after being given enough proof the the prophethood of the Prophet, chose to reject him. Thus they became kuffaar. Before announcing their punishment of Mahkumiah in Surah atTaubah, muslims are asked to break all ties with them. Their punishment was to remain mahkuum of muslims and to pay jizziah by their own hands.
Alas muslims think, it has become their birth right to demand jizziah from all people of the book and for all times to come, just like they think, it has become their birth right to kill all mushrikeen for all times to come. I hereby announce my Bra'ah from all such interpretations, which are bringing disgrace to the name of Islam, death to innocent muslims and non-muslims alike and hatred towards all muslims, who do not even know, what is happening.
Wassalamu alaikum.