Is It My Fault for Introducing My Friend to a Sinful Lifestyle?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
I used to be friends with people who support LGBT. I also submitted and committed the acts. I got my ex-partner involved in this haram, even though she was the one who reminded me of Allah. One day, Allah removed everything from my heart, and I told her that this was a wake-up call and we had to repent, but she told me that she was already in it too deep. She now has a new girlfriend, and she hangs out with my past pro-LGBT friends. I asked her to go back to Allah, but she refused. Is it my fault? Did I lead her to sins? I am also close to her family. Should I tell them? How do I save her? I’ve been making du`a and I don’t know what to do. I regret it deeply.
Answer
Thank you for your question. You are sinful for introducing her to these sins, but I have heard both opinions about being responsible for the decisions that she made. As long as you repent sincerely, you should hope in Allah’s mercy, as we all do.
Calling Others to Sin
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever calls to guidance, then he receives the reward similar to the reward of whoever follows him, without that diminishing anything from their rewards. And whoever calls to misguidance, then he receives of sin similar to the sins of those who followed him, without that diminishing anything from their sins.” [Tirmidhi]
Don’t Despair
Once you have realized your mistake, repented with its conditions, and even advised her to come back for guidance, then you have done what is required of you. Do not despair of Allah’s mercy, follow this evil with virtuous deeds, and place your trust and reliance in Allah Most High.
Allah Most High has told us in the Quran, “Say: My servants who have wronged yourselves, never despair of God’s mercy. God forgives all sins: He is truly the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” [Quran, 39:53]
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), said, “Have taqwa (fear) of Allah wherever you may be, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave well towards the people.“ [Tirmidhi]
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[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, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
