The ruling on visiting one who does not pray with the congregation

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, what is the ruling on visiting one who does not pray with the congregation and loving him?

Answer:
Visiting him, if it is for the sake of advising him and warning him of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), is required and prescribed, and a person earns reward for it because it is part of calling to Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) and an attempt to save this person from destruction. This is a prescribed visit. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to visit some of the Jews while they were ill and call them to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). He visited his uncle Abu Talib when he was on his deathbed and called him to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). He also visited a Jew when he was on his deathbed and called him to Allah, so he embraced Islam, and he did not call him to tawhid (the oneness of Allah) apart from Islam. If the avoidance of visiting is for the sake of calling to Allah, warning the sinner, and reminding him of Allah, then it is prescribed and there is reward in it. However, if visiting them is only for the sake of sitting with them, eating with them, and relaxing with them without advising them about Allah, then it is not permissible. It is not permissible to eat with him or drink with him until he repents. He must be boycotted until he repents to Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He).