Q 3: What is the ruling on being in company with persons who do not observe Salah (Prayer)?

A: If a person accompanies another who does not observe Salah for the sake of advising and ordering them to observe Salah, enjoining Ma`ruf (that which is judged as good, beneficial, or fitting by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) in general, and forbidding Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) hoping that Allah will guide them, they have done good and fulfilled their duty as Muslims responsible for advising each other, enjoining Ma`ruf, and forbidding Munkar. Anyone who remains in the company of a person who neglects observing Salah just because they want to have fun, keep their company, or achieving worldly interests has done wrong and sinned. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith's bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your body or clothes, (Part No. 26; Page No. 84) or you get a nasty smell thereof. (Related by Al-Bukhari.) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.