What is the ruling on eating with and dealing with a family that does not pray, given that the father prays at home but does not pray Jumu'ah in the nearby mosque, and is indirect advice sufficient for them?
Allah created humankind with a social nature, inclined to interact with people. Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded choosing companions well and forbade befriending disbelievers and the impious. He said: "A person is on the religion of his intimate friend, so let each of you look at whom he befriends," and "Do not accompany anyone but a believer, and let no one eat your food except a pious person."
Thus, it is not appropriate to take someone who abandons prayer as a companion. Rather, one should keep a distance from them, except for the purpose of offering advice and inviting them to goodness. This does not mean that it is forbidden to eat their food or to deal with them in worldly matters. However, the most important thing is to choose influential companions well. As for interacting with sinners and disbelievers for the purpose of advice, without being influenced by them, it is better than shunning them, unless it is highly probable that they will not accept the advice, in which case keeping a distance from them is better.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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