Female student befriending a male schoolmate

21-6-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am a Muslim girl, and I was just wondering if it is alright to have a guy as a friend. I have no emotions toward him whatsoever, and I help him in school. Again we are friends only inside school, like schoolmates. I always tell him about Islam and rules and he is really interested. He is not a bad guy at all, does not drink, does not eat pork and does not date.
Is it alright for me to befriend him, or should I not talk to him again. Again, I don't feel anything toward him for he is younger than me by 2 years so I treat him like a brother to me.

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. Closing the gates to pretexts that could lead to committing sins is one of the fundamental rules in Shariah and it is one of its general objectives. In fact, Shariah forbids any illicit relation between a man and a woman who are alien to each other (not Mahram). The only relation permitted between them is through legal marriage. From the above, the friendship of the girl to an alien boy is a road that leads to depravity and evil. So, it should be blocked, otherwise such a relation might develop to what will be regrettable. Indeed many people started with a casual relation that gets stronger and more intimate until it reaches a stage where treatment is of no use. So, the beginning is small but it develops and Satan is there to put oil on fire. Satan is as close to the person as the person's own blood. As a result, we advise the dear sister to stay away from this young man and to cut all relations with him. This is what Shariah orders her to do and it is safer for herself and her honour. On the other hand, his being a nice guy and being interested in Islam is not a reason for you to befriend him. But, you should ask one of your brothers or male relatives to get in touch with him, offer him books and cassettes as well as asking Allah to guide him to the right path. If he becomes Muslim, you will have a great reward. Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "It is better for you that Allah guides someone through you than to be given the best camels" . In another narration: "than to own this worldly life and all that is in it" . Finally, know that Allah does not accept any good deed from a disbelieving person. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust.}[25: 23]. Allah knows best.