Sitting with Friends Who Drink
26-2-2003 | IslamWeb
Question:
I am a Muslim I do pray, but I have friends who drink beer and khamrah. Sometimes we go out and I have to set with them while they order those drinks. I don't drink with them, but I sit with them while they drink. Will I get any punishment for doing that and is it true that it will waste my praying for 40 days?
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Allah Says (what means): {And it has already come down to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah [recited], they are denied [by them] and ridiculed; so do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together -} [Quran 4:140]
The Muslim scholars deduce from this verse that sitting with those who commit evil, looking at them, and listening to their sins, all such actions are considered as participating in their bad deeds and encouraging them to do so even if the heart of the person hates those deeds.
It was reported that a group of people who were drinking alcohol and singing were brought to ‘Umar Ibn ‘Abdul ‘Azeez 
. It was said to him that one of them was not a participant but he was merely a spectator. ‘Umar asked them to start the punishment with him.
Do you not know that Allah Says (what means): { ….. so do not sit with them,…} [Quran 4:140]
In the same verse, Allah Says (what means): {Indeed, you would then be like them.……} [Quran 4:140]
Moreover, the Prophet said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not sit on a table where alcohol is served.” [at-Tirmithi,]
A Muslim is asked to show great concern for his religion. So, he should not be present at any place where Allah's commands are violated. In fact, the Children of Israeel were not destroyed except because of their friendship, and eating with those who disobey Allah.
Allah Says (what means):
• {Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed. They used not to prevent one another from wrongdoing that they did. How wretched was that which they were doing.} [Quran 5:78-79]
• {And if they had believed in Allah and the Prophet and in what was revealed to him, they would not have taken them as allies; but many of them are defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 5: 81]
Finally, it is not permitted for a Muslim to show his satisfaction with sins and sit in gatherings where people disobey Allah since it is counted as approving the evil and encouraging them to commit bad deeds.
Moreover, there are many bad consequences in doing so, such as being indifferent about bad deeds makes one unconcerned about them etc.
It cannot be imagined that a believer would sit with those who are busy in disobeying Allah, the One.
However, if one attends such gatherings only to change the evil, to warn them of sins, and he is certain that the sins will not affect him, then it is permissible for such a person to go there. Sometimes, it becomes an obligation to go to such places in order to enjoin good and prohibit evil.
Ibn Qudaamah said: “If a person is invited to a banquet where any disobedience of Allah takes place, such as music, alcohol etc., then if one can change the evil, he has to attend because by doing so, one fulfills two obligations: the obligation of accepting the invitation of a Muslim brother and the obligation of changing the evil. If one cannot change it, then he should not attend such a banquet. Imam Ash-Shaafi'i is also of the same opinion.
For more benefit on being present at a place where alcohol is served or drunk, please refer to Fataawa 351544, 90464, 86497, 85631, and 82521.
Allah knows best.