A couple of years ago, when I was not a very practicing muslim, I had non-muslim friends in school, who stayed friends with me till today. Now that I am getting to know more about Islam, however, I fear that they might mislead me. I have thought about meeting Muslim friends in our school, but I can see that they commit sins and might also influence me to do so. I have given da'wah (proselytization) to them, but they still persist on committing sins. In this case, would it be better for me to just remain by myself in school?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Keeping company with the non-Muslims is a very serious matter and is a means that leads to much evil, as this may lead to being friendly and affectionate with them and not disassociating yourself from them; Allaah says (what means): {You will not find a people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred. Those - He has decreed within their hearts faith and supported them with spirit from Him.} [Quran 58:22]

Allaah says (what means): {There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, “Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allaah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allaah alone.”} [Quran 60:4]

Therefore, you have to leave the company of your non-Muslim female friends, but it is acceptable to be kind to them and treat them kindly as a way of encouraging them to embrace Islam, because this is permissible in the sharee'ah, as in the saying of Allaah (which means): {Allaah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allaah loves those who act justly.} [Quran 60:8]

As regards getting to know Muslim sisters, then if you expect any benefit from them or repel harm off them, while you are safe from being negatively affected by them, then it is acceptable to get to know them and advise them in a wise and gentle manner.

When Muslims mix with people and are patient with their harm, then that is better for them than keeping isolated from them in this case, as we have already explained in fatwa 88289. Also, for more benefit on the conditions of beneficial advice, please refer to fatwa 13288.

However, if you fear for yourself by mixing with those Muslim sisters, then it is better to avoid them, even if this requires to stay without a female friend, as some scholars said, “Good desertion is better than harmful mixing.” Then you should strive to find some righteous sisters – outside the school – and you may get to know them at circles of knowledge and circles of learning the recitation of the Quran in Islamic Centers and the like, as these righteous sisters will remind you if you forget and help you in doing good.

Allaah knows best.