Islam teaches us that we should be friendly with all people. Islam teaches us that we should deal even with our enemies with justice and fairness. Almighty Allah says, (Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them. For Allah loves those who are just. Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your homes and support others in driving you out, from turning to them for protection (or taking them as wali). Those who seek their protection they are indeed wrong- doers.) (Al-Mumtahinah 60: 8-9)
Therefore, the Qur’an does not say that non-Muslims cannot be Muslims’ friends, nor does it forbid Muslims to be friendly with non-Muslims.
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states: It is important for husbands as head of our homes not to be very rigid and extreme in insisting that their wives cannot keep friendship with their non-Muslim female friends or that the children cannot have non-Muslim friends. They need to understand that such a position is simply not Islamic. Let them ask themselves how could Islam have spread to the five continents if Muslims had been as closed in their mindset as he is? Let them know that millions and millions of people converted to Islam because Muslims befriended non-Muslims with an open mind and exposed them to the beauty of Islam through their exemplary and brotherly treatment of others. So as Muslim men we need to reevaluate our understanding. Maybe some may simply react impulsively to the situation facing Muslims today at the hands of their enemies, but such an attitude will only make things worse. The Qur’an teaches us to deal with trials and tribulations with patience and self-examination.