Does Islam Forbid Befriending Non-Muslims?

Dr. Siddiqi stated previously that: “Muslims are allowed to have non-Muslims as friends as long as they keep their own faith and commitment to Islam pure and strong.” He referred to ‘patronizing’ to mean that a Muslim’s loyalty should be for a Muslim in the same way the loyalty of a Christian is to a Christian and the loyalty of a Jew is for a Jew. The one who reads, “It is obvious that Jews patronize the Jews and Christians patronize the Christians, so why not Muslims patronize Muslims and support their own people” realizes this meaning.

Having stated the above, we do recommend Muslims to have good relations with all people regardless of their faith, race, and creedal inclinations. At the school, in the University, at work, a Muslim should be a good example for others in all aspects of goodness and excellent behaviour.