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Cutting relations with a non-Muslim friend

Question

First i'll start with my social life. It is pretty much non existent. I am religious or at least trying to be. I pray all the salahs( some times a bit late but i m trying to fix it). I m trying my best to stay away from Pornography and movies with nude scenes. I dont listen to music much nor watch music videos. as a result there is a huge distance between me and my friends(classmates) but they do respect me. I was friends with a non muslim in my class. He was good before but than started to change. Started to like talking about erotic things and the like also forgot to invite me in a few events where evryone else gathered and hung out. ( Almost all my classmates were like that) I was lonely and frustrated but i was patient i didnt say anything nor did anything. i desired to befriend other people when i went to an university away from these class mates. And i pray to Allah to help me find good people to befriend. But Alas a few days ago i took out my anger on my non-muslim friend for a misunderstanding. In any case at first he appeared arrogant but when he actually understood that i was genuinely angry he apologized several times. But i, i couldnt forgive him. My memories of his mistakes hindered me and my anger and frustration wasnt helping. Later on when i went home i texted and i cut my ties with him telling him he was never my friend( sadly no matter how i look at it, it does seem he was never my frnd). From now on i will just not talk with him thats it. i will not harm him in anyway. Now i feel guilty and alone. Not because i cut my ties with him out of anger but because of my fear of Allah. I do not want Allah to be displeased with me. I m very afraid. The problem is that i dont think i can go and apologize. He doesnt seem to care or maybe is angry and frankly i dont want to because of what he did in the past. Did i sin greatly? what should i do? please give me advice? I apologize for the long question

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

You have done well by your keenness on being righteous. If you are sincere in your intention, then Allaah will guide you to perfect righteousness. So, you should supplicate Allaah and ask Him to give you strength and guide you.

You should be keen on performing the prayer in congregation as this will help you perform it at its prescribed fixed time. You should also totally avoid listening to music and not only listen to it sometimes and avoid it at other times.

You should know that the Sharee’ah urges us to choose righteous friends and avoid evil company, as this is the best means for staying steadfast on the right path. To this end, we are also urged to stay in a good environment, such as mosques and circles of knowledge, and cooperate with righteous people in Da’wah, enjoining good and forbidding evil. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 85477.

On the other hand, a Muslim does not take a non-Muslim as a friend, but he can deal with him in a just and good manner especially if one hopes to soften his heart to Islam as clarified in Fatwa 88293.

Based on this, it is permissible for you to cut your relationship with this non-Muslim and only deal with him if it involves an Islamic interest. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 84351.

Allaah Knows best.

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