Q: What is the Islamic ruling on one who mixes with a person who neglects prayer in congregation or does not pray at all out of laziness, smokes tobacco, shaves his beard, commits Isbal (lengthening and trailing clothing below the ankles) without arrogance or vanity, cuts the hair of the head from the back and grows it from the front. You should know that this person is a brother or a relative whom I advise but he ignores my advice and considers me a backward person. Is it Haram (prohibited) to befriend him?

A: If the one whom you befriend commits (Part No. 25; Page No. 365) Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) and rejects your advice; rather, he holds you up to ridicule and considers you backward, then you will not be to blame if you abandon him after giving up hope of any positive response on his part. However, if you do not advise him or if you continue to mix with him after giving up that he will accept your advice, you will be to blame; unless he is one of your parents, hence you should treat him kindly, even if your advice is rejected. Allah (Exalted be He) states, And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship ... But if they (both) strive against you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.