Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question Summary
What is the ruling of having a non-muslim as a friend and confidant?
Question Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
It is permissible to have a friend that is non-muslim as long as that friend does not show disrespect towards your religion, mock any aspect of your religious practice or beliefs, or worse.
Allah Most High says, “Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair. Allah only forbids you from befriending those who have fought you for ˹your˺ faith, driven you out of your homes, or supported ˹others˺ in doing so. And whoever takes them as friends, then it is they who are the ˹true˺ wrongdoers.” [Qur’an; 60:7-8]
In another place of the Qur’an, Allah Most High says:
“O, believers! Do not seek the guardianship of those given the Scripture before you and the disbelievers who have made your faith a mockery and amusement. And be mindful of Allah if you are ˹truly˺ believers. When you call to prayer, they mock it in amusement. This is because they are a people without understanding. [Qur’an; 5:58]
This also entails that you are allowed to confide in your friend (who’s a non-muslim) secrets or personal matters. However, you must not take from them consultation or advice relating to religious matters; you should only seek advice and consult fellow Muslims in such matters.
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani