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"Bismillah"
Somewhere in Quran I found it is written that we shouldn't take non-Muslims as a friend, if we do so then we will become one of them. What is the explanation of it? The thing is we used to meet many non-Muslims in our workplace or the educational institutes and many where. And we consider them as like our friends, the line isn't clear to me. Did Allah mean all non-Muslims or just who do act as non-Muslim in the path of Allah?
I suppose you are referring to the verse 5:51 in the Quran:
O believers! Do not consider (hostile) Jews and Christians as (your) reliable allies. They (all) are friends to one another (against you). And whoever of you makes friends with them will (also) become one of them. Surely, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.
(Source- Irfan ul Quran)
(Additional translations- Quran Corpus)
The Arabic word used in this ayah, which is sometimes translated as "friend" is awliya (source). The word awliya is the plural form of wali. It's very different from the English word "friend."
I think that you might find this document interesting. Take a look at 2e. It expands on what wali means. You'll find that you can take non-Muslims as friends, in the casual, amiable that way the word "friend" implies.
What I think you are talking about this ayat:
O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.
Ayat No 5:51 (Surat Al-Mā'idah)
In This ayat Allah is talking about those people who plan against Muslims or try to bring harm to Muslims. This does not mean that we should not be friends with them.
In this surat Allah tell identify enemies of Islam. If you study the previous ayat of this Surat you will know what this surat is about.
Don't take ayat from the middle of the surat. Read the context of the ayat. If you don't study the whole ayat then you will know just half of the truth.
Salam I appreciate the answers of other brothers. They are right. I also wanted to emphasize that the Quranic terms should be understood according to other verses and also to the historical background of the verse. The two other answers dealt with the issue by considering this fact.
There remains one point. Our friends influence us. So, if your non-muslim or even muslim friends discourage you in following Islamic rules or have bad effects on your beliefs or behaviors, you should try to manage the relationship so that you stay away from its harm. Managing the relation doesn't mean necessary to avoid those people but to take good measures to encounter their effect on your soul.
in the name of god
who tell you don't be friends with non-Muslims?!
The Quran said you "shouldn't" accept "kafir" people (the people who's not believe the god or be enemy with god) as friend not 'non-muslims'. there are many people which believe the god like christians or jewish. so the meaning of this god's advise is, don't prefer mulsim's friend to non-muslim one. he didn't force you, just an advise
God protect you
