My Close Friend Began Consuming Alcohol
Assalamu alaikum, I just need to get this off my chest. I’m a 23-year-old hijabi sister, never touched alcohol, alhamdulillah. I have some non-Muslim friends who drink, but they’ve always respected my boundaries and never offered me anything. So this one really hit me hard. My friend, let’s call her C, is also a hijabi, same age, and we used to pray at the masjid together. Recently, she started drinking, and I was shocked when I saw it at a celebration for a friend’s new job. It was a family event with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options out of respect for the Muslims there. C asked for red wine, then even got beer. I thought she was joking, but she was serious. I reminded her it’s haram and that salah might not be accepted for 40 days, but she said she doesn’t care and just wants to enjoy life. I kept looking at her with disappointment, and then she made me smell the alcohol and even suggested I try some-which I found so disrespectful. Later, she went clubbing, got really drunk, and invited me to come along, knowing full well I’m against it, just to annoy me. I’m so disappointed. She’s the third Muslim friend I know who’s started drinking in their 20s, and we’ve been close for so long. I’m not sure if I should distance myself from her because of how she acted around me when she was drinking. It’s just sad to see someone change like this. Any advice or duas would be appreciated.