What is the ruling on me continuing my relationship with a close friend who does not believe in any religions—including Islam—but believes in God and is committed to ethics, describes himself as a "cultural Muslim," and is this friend considered an apostate deserving of execution, and is his destiny the Fire if he dies in this state?

The person who abandons Islam after being advised and does not desist is an apostate. He must be detested, shunned, and not befriended, because the firmest bonds of faith are love for the sake of Allah and hatred for the sake of Allah. Accompanying such a person brings no benefit; rather, it increases corruption, for "a person is on the religion of his companion, so let one of you look at whom he befriends." Furthermore, his claim of believing in Allah while rejecting Islam is a contradiction, for "Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam" and "And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him." As for his good character and performance of good deeds, these will not benefit him because he is not a Muslim, and "And We will approach what they did of deeds and make them as scattered dust."