Man counseling his female friend

Q: I am friends with a girl who is going through a lot of struggle mentally, this is happening since 2 years. I have been trying to help her and I have been listening to her cry most of the time. This has started affecting my mental health. As our Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to be there for a friend when the friend is sad and going through mental suffering. I wanted to know if it is right if I start distancing myself from her problems and start focusing on my mental health. She cries out to me and dumps her problems on my head and this is effecting me mentally. I just want to know if it will be right if I stop talking to her.

A: In these matters the right thing is that the counselling should be done by a woman, not by a man, for it is possible that the niyyat could be corrupted or people will begin to doubt your integrity and respect.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)