Re: Post-marriage..
would you get rid of ur opposite-gender friends after u get married? Is it considered childish behavior that one has to let go of after growing up (i.e. getting married)? if u keep those frends around..how much u let them in to ur life after the wedding? when the spouse is OK w/ it...does anybody esle really have a right to say anything?
no, it isn't childish, its Islamic.
There is no concept in Islam for guys to be just "friends" with a girl, and vice versa.
So one should get rid of their "opposite gender" friends for the sake of pleasing Allah SWT, and not for any other reason.
I agree with what STP said, however, helping the needy isn't really developing a friendship with them... :)
Wassalam