Pathway to Paradise — Page 104
104 parents and family and work at the same place or see your old friends. There will be many judgement calls and decisions about how you will live an Islamic lifestyle in this Western society. Concerning social pressure and friends you had when you accepted Islam, you should consider what kind of lifestyle your friends have, and what social activities you engaged in with them. Muslims should follow the Islamic teaching of hijab/purdah , refrain from alcohol and give up all those things which are inconsistent with the moral goals of a Muslim. This is not to say that all non - Muslim friends are immoral and non - religious. Muslims should be open, compassionate and friendly to everyone. Howev er, Allah stresses the importance of choosing believers as your true friends. The Holy Qur’an advises that Muslims should not prefer non - Muslim friends as very close, intimate friends to Muslim friends. Allah says: “Let not the believers take disbelievers for friends in preference to believers – and whoever does that has no connection with Allah – except that you cautiously guard against them…. . ” (3:29) And “O ye who believe! take not those for friends who make a jest and sport of your religion…” (5:58) Instead, Allah says, when choosing your friends: “And help one another in righteousness and piety; but help not one another in sin and transgression. ” (5:3)