Man is a social animal and to live and survive in life, humans have to interact and rely on each other. This is the reason why humans have the gift of being born with the relationship and throughout their lives, they go for new relationships or try getting rid of the ones that don’t contribute positively to their lives. One of such relationships that humans value greatly is friendship. Allah says:
وَيَوْمَ يَعَضُّ الظَّالِمُ عَلَىٰ يَدَيْهِ يَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي اتَّخَذْتُ مَعَ الرَّسُولِ سَبِيلًا
“And (the) Day will bite the wrongdoer [on] his hands, he will say, “O I wish! I had taken with the Messenger a way.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:27)
Friends are an integral and important part of life as they contribute heavily to what a person makes of his or her life. This is the reason why Islam also speaks about friendship. Islam acknowledges the importance of friends in one’s life, therefore, it emphasizes the selection of the right friends. The lines below discuss the importance of friends in the light of Islam and what different criteria should a Muslim follow about the matter of making friends. Allah says:
الْأَخِلَّاءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقِينَ
“Friends that Day, some of them to others (will be) enemies except the righteous.” (Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:67 )
People can’t live without company, and Islam knows it well. It’s good to have good company alongside us. Islam also considers friendship as one of the most important things. It is one of the qualities that should be possessed by a friend of a Muslim, increase your Imaan and always remind you of Allah SWT. Remind you of the purpose of life is only worshipping Allah. Allah says:
وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُولَٰئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
“And the believing men and the believing women, some of them (are) allies (of) others. They enjoin the right and forbid from the wrong, and they establish the prayer and give the zakah, and they obey Allah and His Messenger. Those, Allah will have mercy on them. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Surah At-Taubah 9:71)
Humans have always been social creatures and in need of friends and companions. Much of our lives is spent in interaction with others. For us Muslims who are living in a society where we are a minority, the issue of choosing the right companions is essential for preserving our Deen. Befriending righteous and virtuous Muslims is an essential means for staying on the Straight Path. Strong individuals, on the other hand, are the core of a strong community, something that Muslims should always strive for. Allah says:
قُلْ سِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانظُرُوا كَيْفَ بَدَأَ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ اللَّهُ يُنشِئُ النَّشْأَةَ الْآخِرَةَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“Say, “Travel in the earth and see how He originated the creation, Then Allah will produce the creation the last. Indeed, Allah on everything (is) All-Powerful.” (Surah Al-`Ankabut 29:20)
When we are selecting friends or making a new friend, we must never forget that we do it for the sake of Allah SWT and to seek His blessing. With this intention, surely Allah SWT will give the most of His blessing for our friendship and give us the best friends who will increase His blessings. A wrong company will guide us to the wrong path that will stray us away from the light of Allah SWT. Allah says:
Here are some reasons benefits to keeping friends:
- A friendship should increase the blessing of Allah
- Friendship in Islam is connected by Allah SWT
- Islam is a solid foundation for friendship
- A good friend is a treasure in this world
- Friendship is important in Islam
- Friendship is a gift in Islam
- To improve the way of life
- Mankind cannot live alone
- A friend is a strong influencer
- A wrong companion leads us to the wrong way
- Friendship with the same value and interest is better
- A good friend will always guide you in the path of Allah
- People with the same values and beliefs make good companions
It is, of course, friendship based on the same value and interest. That is how we can exchange our knowledge and learn a lot of new things regarding our beliefs with each other. Doesn’t mean Islam prohibited friendship across values and beliefs. A friend is one of the most important parts of someone’s life. Those who have a friend will never know the feeling of loneliness in this world and never be friendless. A true friend will support us in the ups and downs of our lives, and it is one greatest gift in life.
“A person is upon the religion of his close friend, so beware whom you befriend.” (Abu Daawood and At-Tirmidhi)
Having a friend who we can always rely on is one of the most beautiful things in the world. Islam will not deny as well, how human is always in need of another human. A good company makes a better life for us, not only because we can support each other in our religious life, but also our worldly life as well.
“…Whoever conceals (the fault of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal his fault on the Day of Judgment.” (Abu Daawood)
A good friend will not leave you because of your mistake, but the guides and support to find the right way. Forgiving your fault but corrects you to be better. He loves and forgives in the name of Allah. Allah says:
الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَالْمُنَافِقَاتُ بَعْضُهُم مِّن بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمُنكَرِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَقْبِضُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ نَسُوا اللَّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ
“The hypocrite men and the hypocrite women, some of them (are) of others. They enjoin the wrong and forbid what (is) the right, and they close their hands. They forget Allah, so He has forgotten them. Indeed, the hypocrites, they (are) the defiantly disobedient.” (Surah At-Taubah 9:67)
A Muslim be selective when it comes to making friends. Being friends with the righteous ones results in following the path of righteousness in this world and receiving according to reward in the world hereafter, whereas, befriending hypocrites and evils neither ends well in this world nor in the world hereafter.
