Friendship with Atheist
Question:
One of my friend got secular and does not believe in God or any prophet and he does not have esteem or respect for Messanger of Allah. Should I continue my friendship with him or discontinue friendship? (Sir I need this answer ASAP).
thanks
Answer:
We are allowed to form a friendship and keep friendship with any human beings as long as this friendship does not prompt us to get engaged in immoral behaviour and as long as it does not result in disrespecting and violating our values.
I do not see any links between becoming atheist and showing immoral behavior. I know many atheists who have a very high standards of morality, even more than many of the religious people that I know. In any case, if your friend is now engaged in immoral activities and behaviour then it is your duty as his friend to advise him against those immoral acts (disregard of his beliefs). Included in these immoral acts could be openly disrespecting the Prophet (pbuh). Please note that for the case of a non-Muslim, not having esteem for, or even criticizing the Prophet (pbuh), does not count as open disrespect. Open disrespect means to use words and attitude that are only aimed for disrespecting.
If your friend insists in doing immoral acts, including open disrespect for the Prophet(pbuh) then it is not advisable for you to remain his friend any more, while you should always look for an opportunity to convince him about his wrong behaviour. This is his right on your shoulder as some one who was once your friend.
On the other hand if your friend's conversion has not resulted in him doing immoral deeds, including openly disrespecting the Prophet (pbuh), then I do not see why you have to cut your friendship with him. In fact it may be that your loyalty to him as a friend could convince him to think deeper about his decision (although this should not be the primary reason for staying as his friend).
Note that friends have a right on each other's shoulder. Friendship is not a light relationship.
Hope this helps.
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April 2013
Farhad Shafti
One of my friend got secular and does not believe in God or any prophet and he does not have esteem or respect for Messanger of Allah. Should I continue my friendship with him or discontinue friendship? (Sir I need this answer ASAP).
thanks
Answer:
We are allowed to form a friendship and keep friendship with any human beings as long as this friendship does not prompt us to get engaged in immoral behaviour and as long as it does not result in disrespecting and violating our values.
I do not see any links between becoming atheist and showing immoral behavior. I know many atheists who have a very high standards of morality, even more than many of the religious people that I know. In any case, if your friend is now engaged in immoral activities and behaviour then it is your duty as his friend to advise him against those immoral acts (disregard of his beliefs). Included in these immoral acts could be openly disrespecting the Prophet (pbuh). Please note that for the case of a non-Muslim, not having esteem for, or even criticizing the Prophet (pbuh), does not count as open disrespect. Open disrespect means to use words and attitude that are only aimed for disrespecting.
If your friend insists in doing immoral acts, including open disrespect for the Prophet(pbuh) then it is not advisable for you to remain his friend any more, while you should always look for an opportunity to convince him about his wrong behaviour. This is his right on your shoulder as some one who was once your friend.
On the other hand if your friend's conversion has not resulted in him doing immoral deeds, including openly disrespecting the Prophet (pbuh), then I do not see why you have to cut your friendship with him. In fact it may be that your loyalty to him as a friend could convince him to think deeper about his decision (although this should not be the primary reason for staying as his friend).
Note that friends have a right on each other's shoulder. Friendship is not a light relationship.
Hope this helps.
-----------------
April 2013
Farhad Shafti
