Q 4: What is the ruling on a Muslim who drinks Khamr (intoxicant) and rejects the advice justifying this by saying that he is the only person who will be called to account for his sins by Allah. He thus does not allow anyone to discuss his affairs. Is it then permissible for Muslims to keep ties with such a person?

A: It is Wajib (obligatory) for Muslims who are aware of the true teachings of Din (religion) to convey it to others as much as they can. They have to do their best to propagate Ma`ruf (that which is judged as good, beneficial, or fitting by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) and prevent Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect). (Part No. 22; Page No. 82) If a Muslim's advice is accepted, they have to praise Allah Alone for this. Otherwise, the matter of whoever commits Munkar or neglects duties of Islam has to be reported to the ruler or his authorized officer to punish the wrong doer so that they will give up their bad deeds and their evil will not spread. On the other hand, the claim of the Khamr drinker who is mentioned in the question that no one is to judge him except Allah is not correct if he drinks Khamr in public. Rather, whoever sees him doing so is commanded Islamically to prevent him from committing such a sin as much as he can and whoever neglects this duty is considered a sinner. This is because the crime of drinking Khamr does not only harm the person who commits it but it harms the whole society in this world and harms the drinker and whoever does not try to prevent his vice in the hereafter. Besides, Muslims who are aware of the condition of the drinker who is mentioned above have to break ties with him and only intermix with him for the time that allows them to advise him or when there is a necessity to do so. They have to do their best to inform the authorities of the matter to apply Hadd (ordained punishment for violating Allah’s Law) to the concerned person to deter him and others from committing such a sin, to block the means to evil and corruption, and to purify the society from such an epidemic.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.