Is It Permissible to Weigh a Friend’s Bad Qualities?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul Rahim Reasat

Question

Is it fine to deliberate between right and wrong? For example, when you’re considering whether a friend is good for you, you may think of their bad qualities too. Would that not be permissible?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-Merciful.

All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all beings, and may peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad.

I pray you are well.

Yes, it is permissible in such cases to consider the pros and cons of a friendship, or the good qualities or the bad qualities of a person. However, I advise you to choose a company that will benefit you in your relationship with Allah, and if you part ways with someone, do so with kindness. Sometimes it doesn’t even have to be said, and you just minimize contact until they’re not actively in your life.

Pray for Them, and an Angel Prays the Same for You

The most important thing in this, however, is to ensure that you pray for them, and for any negative quality you see in them, you ask Allah to replace it with something beloved to Him. We hope that Allah will answer this prayer, as an angel will be praying for you when you pray for something good for your brother in his absence. He will say, “Amin, may you be granted the like of it.” [Muslim]

May Allah grant you the best of this life and the next.

Shaykh Abdul Rahim Reasat

Related Answers

• Is It Sinful to Limit Close Friendship Due to Personality Differences? — Choosing close friends with care, while staying respectful toward every Muslim, is wise rather than sinful.
• What Does Leaving Bad Company for Allah Mean? — Why companions shape our faith, and how to step away from those who lead us toward sin.
• Can I Cut Ties With a Muslim Friend Who Is a Bad Influence? — Reducing closeness while keeping basic courtesy, and making du’a for yourself and your friend.
• Should I Maintain the Ties of a Difficult Friendship? — Keeping a respectful distance and setting boundaries, with full estrangement only as a last resort.