Being friends with Christians and gays

Islam Q & A ^ | 9-5-2002 | Answers by Shaikh M. S. Al-Munajjid

[Salman]

Question:

I'm a muslim who has quite alot of Christian friends, both male and female. There is 1 friend in particular who I'm really good friends with and recently I discovered that they were gay. I don't want to treat them differently because of this but I would like to know if it is haraam to have a gay friend?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The Muslim must strive to find good friends who will help him to do good, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The likeness of a righteous companion and an evil companion is that of one who carries musk and one who works a bellows. With the one who carries musk, either he will give you some or you will buy from him or you will notice a pleasant fragrance from him. With the one who work a bellows, either he will burn your clothes or you will notice a foul odour from him.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5534; Muslim, 2628, from Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari, may Allaah be pleased with him).

It is not permissible for a Muslim to make (close) friends with Christians or other kaafirs. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)”

[al-Maa’idah 5:51]

“O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:118]

al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

This is a warning from Allaah to His slaves not to make (close) friends with the kuffaar and take them as close confidantes or best friends.

Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 198

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “You should not make friends with anyone but a believer and no one should eat your food but one who is pious.”

Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4832; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 4045

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A man will follow the religion of his close friend, so let each of you look to who he takes a close friend.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2378; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1937

So stop keeping company with Christians and replace them with Muslim friends, and try to make friends with righteous people.

You should note that it is not permissible for a man to keep company with females or with homosexuals, whether they are Muslims or Christians, because of the fitnah (temptation) involved in that, and because it also involves things that are forbidden in sharee’ah, such as being alone with them, shaking hands with them and things that are more serious than that. I ask Allaah to protect us all from fitnah.

Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

[AppyPappy]

Typical cult activity.

[swarthyguy]

Some FReepers would echo and validate these comments about gays......

[Frohickey]

Some FReepers would echo and validate these comments about gays......

Only if these special interest groups are trying to indoctrinate my children on their special lifestyles, and using my money to do it with.

[anniegetyourgun]

As a Christian, it would be a sin for me withdraw and not express the kindness and truth of the LORD to those who practic homosexuality and other non-believers. That's one of the reasons folks hate Christians - they won't get in the box, sit down, shut up, and keep to themselves.

[NEWwoman]

You should note that it is not permissible for a man to keep company with females or with homosexuals, whether they are Muslims or Christians, because of the fitnah (temptation) involved in that,

They don't have the moral backbone to control themselves? Or if they are so sure they are right, why are they afraid of being challenged?

But horror on horror, I'm a Christian female, who loves to argue. (if I were gay, I would be their worst nightmare)

[rintense]

What would Jesus do?

[RepoGirl]

it is not permissible for a man to keep company with females or with homosexuals, whether they are Muslims or Christians, because of the fitnah (temptation) involved in that,

This statement is just ALL kinds of loaded, you know?

Things that make you go "Hmmmmmmmm..."

[NEWwoman]

As a Christian, it would be a sin for me withdraw and not express the kindness and truth of the LORD to those who practic homosexuality and other non-believers.

That is the reason Christians are kept here on earth, instead of being immediately translated to heaven.

[07055]

Be friends with them? Heck, doesn't their relgion demand that they do harm to them if they won't convert?

[swarthyguy]

Did i say you could speak? ;)

[RnMomof7]

As a Christian, it would be a sin for me withdraw and not express the kindness and truth of the LORD to those who practic homosexuality and other non-believers. That's one of the reasons folks hate Christians - they won't get in the box, sit down, shut up, and keep to themselves.

yep." Go ye ...."

[Jonathan]

WWJD?

How about What Will Jesus Really Do!

Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

He is going to judge each and every unbeliever whether they like it or not, whether they approve of it or not, and whether they complain or not.

And that means the EVERY SINGLE MUSLIM IS GOING TO GO TO A PLACE WORSE THAN HELL.

Maranantha!

[swarthyguy]

But seriously, you bring out one critical viewpoint.

Christianity seeks to enforce its moral code through individual choice and responsibility, while islam seeks to take out the free will element by transforming the whole society and thereby enforcing its moral strictures on everyone, everywhere.

[joesnuffy]

This is the face of the kinder gentler islam....kinda like multi- personality dissorder...
This gets them in the door....and close enough to use a box cutter

[Woahhs]

Some FReepers would echo and validate these comments about gays......

Echo? Perhaps. Validate? Hardly... Temptation is not the reason I don't associate with homosexuals: repulsion is.

I feel much the same way when in the presence of a hardened criminal for exactly the same reason.

[RnMomof7]

What would Jesus do?

Forgive Him if he repented and tell Him to

Go, and sin no more

The same thing he tells us

[rdb3]

As a Christian, it would be a sin for me withdraw and not express the kindness and truth of the LORD to those who practic homosexuality and other non-believers. That's one of the reasons folks hate Christians - they won't get in the box, sit down, shut up, and keep to themselves.

A M E N!

[swarthyguy]

Temptation/Repulsion...

Same coin, different sides.

[Woahhs]

Christianity seeks to enforce its moral code through individual choice and responsibility, while islam seeks to take out the free will element by transforming the whole society and thereby enforcing its moral strictures on everyone, everywhere.

Is there any reason to take this statement as anything more than conjecture? Do you not feel just a bit supercilious in attempting to pontificate on the moral purpose of a few billion people?