Does "al-Sahubiyya" fall under the category of people who violate God's prohibitions if they are alone with them?
If the questioner's intent behind "friendship" (al-suhubiyah) is associating with non-mahram women, then a Muslim must distance themselves from that, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "I have not left behind me a trial more harmful to men than women," and his prohibition of entering upon them and being alone with them.
A person who appears committed and associates with the righteous, then secludes himself with non-mahram women when people are heedless, falls under the warning mentioned in the noble Hadith: "I certainly know peoples from my nation who will come on the Day of Resurrection with good deeds like the white mountains of Tihamah, but Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, will make them like scattered dust." Thawban said: "O Messenger of Allah, describe them to us, clarify them for us, so that we may not be among them unknowingly?" He said: "Indeed, they are your brothers and from your own skin, and they take from the night (in worship) as you take, but they are peoples who, when they are alone with the sacred prohibitions of Allah, they violate them." This person is ashamed before people but not ashamed before Allah, which is the characteristic of hypocrites and those who show off.
As for one whom Satan tempts in a moment of weakness, heedlessness, or overwhelming desire, and who dislikes the sin, regrets it, and repents from it, they are not included in this warning, because the one who repents from a sin is like one who has no sin. The difference between the two is that the first is audacious towards Allah, while the second has a broken heart and dislikes the sin.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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