Is it forbidden to befriend atheists and to offer them hospitality in my home?

It is not permissible to befriend an atheist, show them affection, or ally with them, even if they are relatives. This is based on Allah's saying: {O YOU WHO HAVE BELIEVED, DO NOT TAKE YOUR FATHERS OR YOUR BROTHERS AS AULIYAA’ IF THEY HAVE PREFERRED DISBELIEF OVER FAITH. AND WHOEVER AMONG YOU TAKES THEM AS AULIYAA’, THEN IT IS THOSE WHO ARE THE WRONGDOERS} [At-Tawbah:23], and His saying: {YOU WILL NOT FIND A PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN ALLAH AND THE LAST DAY LOVING THOSE WHO OPPOSE ALLAH AND HIS MESSENGER, EVEN IF THEY WERE THEIR FATHERS OR THEIR SONS OR THEIR BROTHERS OR THEIR KINDRED} [Al-Mujadilah:22].

However, for someone who possesses sufficient religious knowledge, it is permissible for them to sit with atheists to invite them to Islam and clarify misconceptions, and to honor their hospitality with the intention of softening their hearts and encouraging them towards Islam. But one must be careful not to remain with them if they insult Allah and His Messenger or defame Islam, as Allah says: {AND HE HAS ALREADY REVEALED TO YOU IN THE BOOK THAT WHEN YOU HEAR THE VERSES OF ALLAH BEING REJECTED AND RIDICULED, DO NOT SIT WITH THEM UNTIL THEY ENTER INTO ANOTHER CONVERSATION. INDEED, IN THAT CASE, YOU WOULD BE LIKE THEM} [An-Nisa:140].