I have 2 questions. First, what is the opinion of most scholars about having a friend and his fiancé over at my house? When they come over it is usually us three and maybe sometimes my roommate. Her Mahram is not with her when she comes and she is not Muslim. I am under the impression that having her come over with her fiancé is Haram or at the very least Mukrooh. I know without a doubt that a man and woman in the same place alone is Haram, however what if there are more people? Also, when they come over I try to make Da’wah to them but especially to the girl. Her fiancé is a close friend. He is Muslim but does not practice (pray or fast). I always try to discuss religion in a good manner but it doesn’t seem to get anywhere. Please tell me some good ways to make Da’wah to non-practicing Muslims and non-Muslims.

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

It is not permissible for you to accept the gathering of a man with an alien woman (girl-friend) in your house, because there are some disobediences (sins) that result from this, like the forbidden looking, forbidden speech and the establishment of a relationship between a man and an alien woman, let alone your arranging this meeting in your house.  All of that is considered as an acceptance of the sin for the sinners, being pleased with it (with the sin) and making it easy for them.

Allah forbade the Mu’minun (believers) to sit with the sinners (while committing the sin).

Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them….}[4:140].  And Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…Help you one another in Al­Birr and At­Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression…..}[5:2].

Therefore, you have to clarify this with your friend in a wise manner, and inform him that you wish to keep relationships with him, but your religion forbids that your house be a shelter or a meeting place for what Allah is not pleased with.

If he marries that woman Islamicly, then there is no harm for you to visit him.

The important ways of Da’wah are wisdom, good admonition, quiet debate and the use of every opportunity, especially having a smiling face, being kind and good to people, without forgetting giving gifts, books, beneficial tapes, CD’s and so on.

However, first and foremost you should be keen on calling the neglecting Muslims to Islam, more than the non-Muslims.