Is it permissible for me to take a friend from among the people of righteousness and piety and say: So-and-so is my close friend?

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, is it permissible for me to take a close friend from among the people of righteousness and piety and say: So-and-so is my close friend?

The Shaykh:
Yes.

The questioner:
He says: Is it permissible for me to take a close friend from among the people of righteousness and piety? Yes.

The Shaykh:
That is what is permissible for the close friend of Allah. As for people among themselves, there is no prohibition. However, the title "close friend of Allah" was not given to anyone except Muhammad and Ibrahim (peace be upon them both). It is not permissible to take a "close friend of Allah." As for you being a close friend of Muhammad, or one who did not betray, make everyone in this mosque your close friend; none of them betrayed. Yes. And was this called shirk (associating partners with Allah)? Yes.