Can I Mix With My Non-Muslim Friends?

[March 9, 2021] [Ustadha Shazia Ahmad]/in Adab, Calling to Islam, General Counsel

Question:

Can I mix with my non-muslim friends?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. Rest assured that you have come to the right place. You can find reliable and authentic Islamic knowledge here, along with always-free courses, if you decide that you want to increase your knowledge.

Gender Interaction

Islam is eager to prevent temptation between the genders in all its forms, hence we have the rules of gender interaction. The Prophetic guidance in this area, when followed correctly, prevents a whole slew of problems that people currently face today. Allah, our Creator, understands exactly how he made us, and He placed these rules for us as a mercy and guidance so that we can protect ourselves and others, flourish as families, and build strong Muslim societies.

Please see the rules of gender interaction here:

https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/answers/general-counsel/what-are-the-principles-of-gender-interaction-in-islam/

Non-Muslim Friends

There is no harm in having non-Muslim friends, but as with all of one’s actions, one should weigh how much it harms or benefits one. It may be that you have a friend who is moral and principled, making you a better person. On the other hand, you may have a friend that distracts you from your prayers and makes you question your faith.

Either way, there is usually nothing better than befriending a like-minded person who has more knowledge than you and good character from which you can learn. In this vein, see these links:

https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/answers/general-counsel/is-it-haram-to-befriend-non-muslims/
https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/answers/general-counsel/friendship-with-non-muslims-explaining-verse-551/

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next and guide you in every step of your journey to good.

[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. Afterward, 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.