Question:
Is it ok if my best friend is non–Muslim?
Answer:
Assalamu alaykum,
Thank you for your question. I am happy to see that you are providing friendship and comfort to someone who is essentially an orphan. May Allah reward you for that and always send you someone when you are in need.
Deep Friendship
I feel that one’s deep friendships should only be with Muslims as we will be raised with our friends on the Day of Judgment. One always takes on the habits, ideas, tastes, and beliefs of one’s friend, so friends should be chosen carefully. A hadith indicates this: The Prophet, Allah bless him grant him peace, said, “A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend.“ [Abu Dawud]
Tell Her About Islam
Having said this, I do not think ending the friendship would be wise. I think that you are attaining reward by helping her and being there for her. I do think that you should introduce her to Islam, and then if Allah guided her, your problem would turn into a win-win situation. You do not need to preach, just tell her how you live and show her the spiritual side of your life.
Avoid Certain Conversations
As for her current habits of dating and other un-Islamic activities, you should tell her that it is sinful for you to be involved in it. Always encourage her to stay away from boys and to save herself for marriage. Teach her the core value of our ways of living and let her understand that our principles benefit all humanity. Ask her not to apprise you of details about her dates, and tell that your parents are just becoming more strict about it. It is not right for you to listen to these details about dating as a young unmarried Muslim lady.
May Allah reward you and guide your friend to Islam and make your friendship eternal.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterwards, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.