Sitting with people while they're drinking alcohol

23-10-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

Can a Muslim man or woman mix with people who drink alcohol even if they are members of the family? Bearing in mind that they are not Muslim. Can you please guide me on this matter from the Qur'an and Sunnah?

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Answer:

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 unlawful for the Muslim to sit with people who are committing what Allah has forbidden like drinking alcohol and similar Haram acts even if these people are of the closest relatives. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…If Satan ever makes thee forget, then after recollection, sit not thou in the company of those who do wrong.}[6:68]. Allah also Says (interpretation of meaning): {Already has he sent you word in the book, that when ye hear the Signs of Allah held in defiance and ridicule, ye are not to sit with them unless they turn to a different theme: if ye did, ye would be like them. For Allah will collect the Hypocrites and those who defy Faith all in Hell;}[4:140]. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not sit on a table where alcohol is served. [ al-Tirmizi , Ahmad and al-Darami ] How could a person sit with people who are committing Haram while he is ordered to deny such acts and hate them? Indeed, sitting with someone who is committing Haram means accepting such a deed as silence means consent. No doubt that this is forbidden. Allah knows best.