Road to Good Friendship by Abdul Malik Al Qasim

The Road to Good Friendship by Abdul Malik Al-Qasim The distinguished feature of this booklet is to enhance good friendship in society. The author has selected the illuminating sayings of the Prophet(pbhu) and those of his Companions and the Salaf. These advices will encourage good friendship in the Muslim society and will open the door wide to establish a civilized Islamic culture. This society based on true friendship will breed justice, equality and love for humanity.

Darussalam

• Abdul Malik Al Qasim

Page:01 Road to Good Friendship
By: Abdul Malik Al-Qasim
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In the life of the world, while travelling through the various stages of life, man needs good friends, associates and companions to provide comfort and righteous company on the road and throughout the journey that every one must and shall take and go on. One's company and friends he or she associates with are a source of help and relief when disasters strike, feeling elated when one is elated and sad when one is sad, if they are true and righteous friends whom Allâh has endowed with a religious nature, as well as, good behavior and exalted conduct. This company is, and must be, of the righteous, sincere, advising, good mannered, truthful and religious Muslim.
There is no doubt that good conduct produces the fruits of affection, kindness and comfort, and the better one's conduct becomes, the tastier and sweeter the fruit becomes. Allâh has often mentioned favorably ties of affection and closeness between companions, providing that their companionship is built on the basis of piety, Islamic religion and love of Allâh. Furthermore, Allâh has reminded Prophet Muhammad and the believers of His great Bounty and Favor that:
لَوْ أَنفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَّا أَلَفَتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ أَلْفَ بينهم ﴾ [الأنفال : ٦٣]
"If you (Muhammad) had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allâh has united them." (8:63)
Allâh has also admonished and outlawed division:
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَى شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ
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Know that not everyone is suitable to be a friend. Abu Hurairah, narrated that the Messenger of Allâh
said:
الرَّجُلُ على دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ فَلْيَنظُرْ أَحَدِكُم من يُخالِلُ .
"Man is on the religion of his companion, so let one of you choose whom to befriend."(Ahmad, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, An-Nawawi rendered this Hadith authentic)
There are signs, qualities and indications that help one distinguish and choose whom to befriend and associate with according to what one desires from friendship or companionship.
There are religious and material gains to look for in any friendship or association. Material gains include earning money, fame or just friendship and companionship. Religious gains from friendship include learning religious knowledge and imitating righteous actions and statements, so that one might be helped to repel all types of impurity that might attack the heart and hinder from performing the acts of worship.
Therefore, dear Muslim, choose a friend or a companion who is wise, good mannered and righteous, who is neither a sinner, innovator in the religion or fond of this life.1
Allâh has praised good company and made it one of the reasons behind earning Paradise. The Messenger of Allâh said:
«إن الله تَعَالى يَقُولُ يَومَ القِيامَة : أين المتحابون بِجَلالي، اليَوْمَ
أظلُّهم في ظِلِّي يوم لا ظل إلا ظلّي