How should she deal with friends who are not religiously committed?
Question I have friends who I am very close to, but they do not wear hijaab. I spend a lot of time with them and I am influenced by their foolish and aimless talk. They waste their time going out to the club and to the beach, and they spare little thought for Allaah and…
Question
have friends who I am very close to, but they do not wear hijaab. I spend
a lot of time with them and I am influenced by their foolish and aimless
talk. They waste their time going out to the club and to the beach, and
they spare little thought for Allaah and His Messenger, except for a few
occasions that are hardly worth mentioning. When I speak about Allaah and
what His Messenger said, they start to call me “Our shaykhah”. That
discourages me from speaking (about these things). Is what I am doing
sinful? How can I help them to find the right path? Please note that I
cannot give them up.
Praise be to Allah.
If the
relationship between you and them is as you describe, then adhere to the
Book of Allaah and the guidance of His Messenger
(peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him). Try to advise them, enjoin upon them that which is
right and good, and forbid them to do that which is evil. Be patient in
bearing their insults and harm, and do not let their insults deter you
from carrying out your duty towards them, which is to enjoin what is good
and forbid what is evil. This is the way of Allaah concerning the callers
and those who are called. Allaah has explained that in the aayah where He
tells us that Luqmaan said to his son (interpretation of the meaning):
“O my son! Aqim-is-Salaat
(perform As-Salaah), enjoin (on people) Al-Ma‘roof(Islamic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from
Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allaah, polytheism of
all kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever
befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments (ordered
by Allaah with no exemption)”
[Luqmaan
31:17]
If you fulfil your
obligation of advising them, and you do this repeatedly but do not find
any way to reach their hearts, or they cling more stubbornly to their
falsehood, then withdraw from them lest you become weak in your religious
commitment and moral standards, or their influence over you leads to bad
consequences. Be sincere towards Allaah and Allaah will help you. Do not
worry about feeling lonely if you leave them, for loneliness is better
than bad companions.
“And
whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for
him to get out (from every difficulty).
And
He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever
puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allaah will
accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure for all things”
[al-Talaaq 65:2-3 – interpretation of the meaning]
