AIslam urges the Muslim to look for righteous friends who will help him to carry out his religious duties and remain steadfast in that, because this is one of the means that help a person to follow the path of righteousness and remain steadfast in adhering to the truth. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “The believers (in their mutual support) are like a structure, parts of which support other parts” – and he interlaced his fingers (Bukhari).

The advice is: when you see your friend making a mistake or doing something wrong, then the first step is to advise him, correct him, help him to do good, divert him from what is wrong and evil, warn him against it, and warn him of the bad consequences of his misbehaviour and the danger of having bad friends. If he does not respond to advice, then your important role is to continue to be a friend who tries to help him to do good, and strives to correct his friend’s behaviour and advise him. However, If these mistakes become habitual and you are not able to turn him away from this misbehaviour, then in that case you should tell his family about it, so that it does not become ingrained behaviour or lead to persistent decline and drifting away from the straight path.