The Value of Friendship

Who do you take as friends?

What is a friend? A person who shows unselfish concern for the welfare of others. A concern or regard for the needs of others, entirely without ulterior motive

A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert.

During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.”

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to
take a bath. The one, who had been slapped, got stuck in the mire and
started drowning, but the friend saved him. After the friend recovered
from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: “TODAY MY BEST
FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.”

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, “After
I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?”
The other friend replied: “When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.”

Learn to write your hurts in the sand, and to carve your benefits in stone.


Importance of Good Friendship


We all know that Allah the Most High has brought us to life in order to test us. Thus we are here for a relatively short period of time and that we shall meet Allah one Day, so we need to use our present life for what is best for us in the Hereafter. Once we know our purpose and our goal in life, we should seek ways to achieve them so as to benefit our own selves


The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) explained the matter of good companionship, so that no room is left for doubt or confusion, when he (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said,

"A person is upon the Deen (religion) of his khaleel (close friend), so look to whom you befriend." [Abu Dawud & Tirmidhee]


This means that a person is upon the same minhajj (methodology) as his friend, the same tareeq (path) as his friend, the same nature, manner and behaviour as his friend. So we must be careful about whom we befriend.


Prophet Mohammad ( pbuh) who has the most noble character and dealings with fellow humans gave us a very clear and simple message and advice in regard to friendship.


Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also said,

"The case of the good companion and the bad companion is like that of the seller of musk(perfume) and the blower of the bellows (iron-smith) . As for the seller of musk(perfume), he will either give you some of the musk(perfume), or you will purchase some from him, or at least you will come away having experienced its good smell. Whereas the blower of the bellows will either burn your clothing, or at least you will come away having experienced its repugnant smell." [Bukhari & Muslim]


The good companion has been given this similitude because he is righteous and will help you to remember Allah. If he sees you make a mistake he will advise you and support you, whereas the bad companion would forsake you; leaving you at the time when you are most in need of him.


I have always stopped at a special Quranic verse that reflects on the value of friendship and companionship.


The verse I am pointing at says what means:

{Content yourself (be patient) with those who pray to their Lord morning and evening, seeking His approval, and do not let your eyes turn away from them out of desire for the attractions of this worldly life, and do not yield to those whose hearts We have made heedless of Our remembrance (the Quran), those who follow their own low desires, those whose ways are unbridled.} (Al-Kahf 18:28)



It is amazing how Allah Almighty, draws the reader's attention to two essential points that are definitely anchor points in any relation of friendship. The two points are:

1.Who do we take as friends?
2.How do we go about our friendship?


What a good relationship the Quran has established among believers to build relationship. If exercised whole heartedly it is bound to bring peace in our society.May Allah we follow it in true spirit. Aameen


Prophets' Duas for good companions

Here is a gift of duas Let us pray these duas always:

Sura 12-Yusuf verse 101

Prophet Yusuf (A.S) prayed:

O, the Creator of heavens and the earth, You are my Protector in this world and in the hereafter, make me die as a Muslim(your obedient) and admit me among the righteous."


............ ......... ......... ....

Sura 27-An-Naml verse 19

Prophet Sulaiman (AS ) Prayed:

"O Rabb (lord)! Grant me the grace that I may thank you for the favors which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, to do such good deeds that will please You; and admit me, by Your mercy, among Your righteous servants."

............ ......... .........

Prophet Ibraheem (AS) prayed :

Sura Ash-Shuara verse 83-85

O My Rubb(lord)!

Give Me The Gift Of Wisdom And Join Me With The Righteous;

Grant Me The Power To Convey The Truth To Those Who Will Come After Me

Make Me One Of The Inheritors Of The Garden Of Happiness (Junat Naeem);

Aaamen!



Here are some links of informative and intersting articles about friendship.

plz visit the given links:


http://www.zawaj.com/articles/companion_ pleasant.html


http://www.missionislam.com/knowledge/Friendship.htm


Just make sure in the future that who you offer yourself to in friendship are really worthy of you, and seek Allah's guidance through dua`aa', supplication, and Istikhara prayer for guidance always.


Our Lord! In You we have placed our trust, and to You do we turn in repentance, for unto You is the end of all journeys. (60:4)


Aamin