We are from the Israeli Arabs, also known as the ‘Year 48 Palestinians.’ However, having lived with the Zionists for so long we have begun to develop some deviations. What should we do?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

There are certain things that can help you preserve your Islamic identity:

Firstly, establish the notion of alliance and disassociation in your hearts and minds. This means to love and support the Muslims and to hate and antagonize the disbelievers. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, "Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allaah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allaah alone," except for the saying of Abraham to his father, "I will surely ask forgiveness for you, but I have not [power to do] for you anything against Allaah. Our Lord, upon You we have relied, and to You we have returned, and to You is the destination.”}[Quran 60:4]

Among the principles upon which a Muslim's Islamic personality is based is alliance to Allaah, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and the believers, and disassociation from anyone who opposes Allaah and His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, or follows a way other than that followed by the believers. Among the advantages of this principle is that it protects a Muslim's personality from being affected by others. There are many verses of the Holy Quran that emphasize this. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give Zakah [obligatory charity] and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allaah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allaah is Exalted in Might and Wise.}[Quran 9:71]

• {Indeed, those who reverted back [to disbelief] after guidance had become clear to them - Satan enticed them and prolonged hope for them. That is because they said to those who disliked what Allaah sent down, "We will obey you in part of the matter." And Allaah Knows what they conceal.}[Quran 47:25-26]

Secondly, beware of imitating Jews, whether in the way they dress, talk, style their hair, or anything else that characterizes them. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that anyone who imitates a certain people will be considered one of them. [Abu Daawood], [Al-Albaani (Hasan Saheeh - Authentic)]

‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas said that anyone who builds in the land of disbelievers, shares in their celebrations and imitates them until death, will be resurrected with them on the Day of Judgment. [Al-Bayhaqi]

Thirdly, be aware of the torment that Allaah has prepared for them in punishment for their corruption and deviation. Muslims should know that these people deserve the curse of Allaah. Allaah The Almighty Says what means: {Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed.}[Quran 5:78]

Fourthly, not to intermingle with them without a need. This is because intermingling with them leads, eventually, to calls to imitate their habits or at the very least it causes being affected by them gradually. It was narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered us not to keep company except with those who are righteous believers and not to give our food to anyone except those who are pious, so that they would use its energy for performing good deeds. [Ahmad] Moreover, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that a man and his friend are alike, so everyone should be careful whom he befriends. [At-Tirmithi, Abu Daawood]

Fifthly, recall their crimes, as the Jews killed the prophets and other innocent people. Also, you should keep in mind that Jews have been known throughout history for breaking their promises, despising other nations and spreading corruption, and Palestinians have experienced the greatest share of the Jews' atrocities. Bearing this in mind will keep you from being affected by them.

Sixthly, perform keenly ordinances and avoid prohibitions. A Muslim must be keen to perform the daily Salah (prayers), pay Zakah and perform other obligations which form the pillars of Islam. You should order each other to do what is good, forbid each other from doing what is evil, order your women to wear the Hijab, and bring up children in an Islamic way and abstain from dealing in interest, listening to music, and so forth.

Seventhly, be keen to have good relations among you and with all Muslims in general, as this will make you united and give you the strong will and determination that should help you confront your enemies. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that the relationship of a Muslim to a Muslim is like a brick to another brick in a building - each one supports the other. [Muslim] Moreover, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, urged each Muslim to stick to the Muslim community and warned us against abandoning solidarity, saying that a wolf usually eats stray sheep. [Ahmad]

Eighthly, be proud of your religion and faith. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allaah and does righteousness and says, "Indeed, I am of the Muslims."}[Quran 41:33]

It was mentioned by ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab that before Islam they had been the most humiliated people and Allaah The Almighty honored them by Islam, and that if the Muslims sought honor in anything but Islam, Allaah would humiliate them. [Al-Haakim and others][Al-Albaani: Saheeh (Authentic)]

Finally, you should be aware that the material progress that Jews and disbelievers have achieved is full of defect and corruption due to their disbelief, no matter how hard they try to make it seem close to perfect. A Muslim must not be impressed by them. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {The example of those who disbelieve is like that of one who shouts at what hears nothing but calls and cries cattle or sheep - deaf, dumb and blind, so they do not understand.}[Quran 2:171]

• {Or do you think that most of them hear or reason? They are not except like livestock. Rather, they are [even] more astray in [their] way.}[Quran 25:44]

May Allaah ease your hardships and help you.

And Allaah Knows best.