What is the ruling on dealing with friends who see no harm in downloading offensive films and justify it by their rejection of the religion's view?
It is not permissible to befriend those who do not pray, do not revere God's sacred ordinances, and argue with falsehood due to their laxity in religious matters. One must avoid sitting with them and befriending them until they repent to God. The predecessors used to forbid sitting with people of innovation for fear of doubts. As Ibn al-Qayyim said about Shaykh al-Islam, the heart should be like an impenetrable glass bottle through which doubts pass over its surface without settling within it. Bad friends pose a great danger in this world and the Hereafter. Allah Almighty says: "And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands he will say, 'Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way. Oh, woe to me! Would that I had not taken such a one as a friend.'" And "Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "A man is upon the religion of his friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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