السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ AhsanaAllahu ilaykoum What is the ruling on having non-muslim friends (meaning sometimes hanging out, eating, playing etc) if one is able to maintain his religion?

Imam Ibn Baz said the disbeliever is not a brother to the Muslim, so taking non-Muslims as close friends and companions is not allowed. But eating with them incidentally at a general gathering, without taking them as friends, is permissible.