format_quote Originally Posted by
sargon
I have a very good friend who actually gave me my Shahada and I feel a responsibility to him. If I stop hanging out with him and go on the right path I'll feel like a hypocrite because before we used to go out together and the things we do/did aren't good.
It's really hard breaking away from old friends but I think if I don't I'll turn out like that lone sheep... the difficult thing is that he's Muslim and he's the one that taught me how to pray, and we used to talk a lot.
What do I? do it's stressing me out!!! Thanks for the article :)
Assalaamu Alaikum :)
Welcome to Islam. I am pleased that you have taken this path and Allah has gided you.
With regard to beenfriends with a sinning Muslim, this goes against the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):
“The likeness of a good companion and a bad companion is that of a perfume seller and one who works the bellows. With the perfume seller, either he will give you something or you will buy something from him, or you will notice a good smell from him, but with the one who works the bellows, either he will burn your clothes or you notice a bad smell from him.” Narrated by Muslim, no. 2628.
Imam an-Nawawy said that the Prophet (s.a.w.) compared a good companion to a seller of musk and spoke of the virtue of having companions who are good, who have noble manners, piety, knowledge and good culture. Such are those who grant us from their virtue. And he (s.a.w.) forbade us to sit with those who do evil, commit a lot of sins and other bad deeds, as well as with innovators, backbiters, and so forth. Another scholar said: "keeping good company with the pious results in attainment of beneficial knowledge, noble manners and righteous actions, whereas keeping company with the wicked prevents all of that." Many times a Muslim is encouraged by his friends to do evil and to forget his duties. The result is that Muslims themselves are often ashamed to leave them to perform prayer, their friends thus causing them to clearly deviate from the Right Path.
Love him for his good actions, for his love for Islam and trying his best to practise it according to Quran and Sunnah and hate him for his sins and going away from the way of Islam.
I suggest you stop all the bad things you do whether alone or together. Seeks Allah's forgiveness and turn to him in repentence. Allah your friend to Allah and soften his heart.
“And who is better in speech than he who [says: “My Lord is Allaah (believes in His Oneness),” and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allaah’s (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds”
[Fussilat 41:33]
Allah commands us to keep friends with rightous people who are upright and upon Islam.
“O you who believe! Fear Allaah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)”
[al-Tawbah 9:119]
“And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face”
[al-Kahf 18:28]
If you hang about with someone whose iman is weak and you can't get through to them then they will effect you too.
Don't feel just because he called you to Islam that you owe him anything. It is Allah who has chosed you to guide to His Light.
The best place to make friends is the Masjid where you find real brotherhood. Brothers who are willing to learn Islam and Pracise it.
Keep this verse in mind:
"Friends on that Day will be enemies one to another, except al-Muttaqoon (i.e. those who have Taqwah)." [43:67]