Q: Is it allowed to befriend a non-muslim? I have a non-muslim friend. He is a good man and helps me in studies, etc. Should I break friendship with him or not?
A: Apart from the necessary dealings, a Mu’in should not have a close relationship with a Kaafir. Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’an:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ أَوْلِيَاءَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ﴿المائدة: ٥١﴾
O you who believe, do not take the Jews and the Christians as close fiends. They are part of one another.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿النساء: ١٤٤﴾
O you who believe, do not take the disbelievers as close fiends leaving aside the believers.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)