Question
What is the Sharʿī ruling on befriending disbelievers, and is it permissible to maintain relations with them for the purpose of daʿwah and correction?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
✿ Disbelievers are the enemies of Allah, and believers are His friends. Hence, the friend of Allah cannot befriend the enemies of Allah.
✿ The Qur’an has clearly forbidden befriending disbelievers in multiple places. Among them is:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾
(An-Nisā’ 4:144)
“O you who believe! Do not take the disbelievers as allies instead of the believers.”
✿ Therefore, forming bonds of friendship with disbelievers — such as Qādiyānīs, Christians, or others — is prohibited.
✿ However, interacting with them without forming friendship, solely for the purpose of daʿwah, correction, and guiding them to Islām, is permissible.
✅ Conclusion:
Friendship with disbelievers is strictly forbidden in Sharīʿah. But engaging with them for daʿwah and sincere efforts of reform, without adopting their ways or showing allegiance, is allowed.
