Having pundits as close friends.
Q. Are pundits supposed to be close friends to us to the extent that we entertain them in our homes in their full attire and bring sweets for us, etc?
A. No, Pundits are not supposed to be close friends to us. There is no harm in maintaining a cordial relationship with them as well as others, seeing that we live in a mixed multi cultural and multi religious society. However, this does not mean that they become our close friends.
Accepting sweets from them is also not in accordance to our teachings, since it can be from that upon which their prayers have been said.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan