I have a friend who urges me to do evil, and he has been my friend for seven years. What should I do with him?
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The questioner : I have a friend who urges me to do evil, and he has been my friend for seven years. What should I do with him?
The Shaykh : You must advise this friend who invites you to evil. If he reforms, it is for his own benefit; if he does not reform, you must leave him, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) warned against the company of bad people. He said (peace and blessings be upon him): This includes a warning against the company of bad people. It is also narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Al-Mustadrak lil-Hakim 33:79.
Many people are firm and committed, but if a devil from among the devils of mankind is assigned to them, one who misleads them from the path of Allah, they may be affected by him. The one who is protected is the one whom Allah protects.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : You must advise this friend who invites you to evil. If he reforms, it is for his own benefit; if he does not reform, you must leave him, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) warned against the company of bad people. He said (peace and blessings be upon him):
The example of a good companion is like a carrier of musk: either he gives you some, or he sells it to you, or you find a pleasant scent from him. The example of a bad companion is like a bellower of a furnace: either he burns your clothes, or you find a foul smell from him.
مثل الجليس الصالح كحامل المسك، إما أن يحذيك وإما أن يبيعك ، وإما أن تجد منه رائحة طيبة ، ومثل الجليس السوء كنافخ الكير ، إما أن يحرق ثيابك ، وإما أن تجد منه رائحة كريهةA man follows the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.
المرء على دين خليله فلينظر أحدكم من يخاللMany people are firm and committed, but if a devil from among the devils of mankind is assigned to them, one who misleads them from the path of Allah, they may be affected by him. The one who is protected is the one whom Allah protects.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.