Friendship is the most important part of an individual’s life. Surrounding yourself with good muslim friends will make your Deen strong in Dunya It impacts a person’s mindset and has the ability to change the course of their life. A bad friendship can negatively impact a person’s mindset, making them reclusive and unwilling to form relationships. A good friendship ,on the other hand, makes a person undeniably hopeful and happy. It makes them bloom into a better person and helps them form relationships with other people in a healthy manner. There are no issues related to self-esteem , confidence and emotions when you are near a person who genuinely and truly cares for you.
But how is friendship viewed in the light of Islam?
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Friendship in Islam
Surrounding yourself with friends who share your faith creates a powerful support system. You can encourage each other to pray regularly, learn more about Islam, and strive to be better Muslims. A good friend can increase your Deen practice in your life so its beneficial to have good friend to increase your Deen practice. Having friend will lower your distraction and keep your focus on Deen.
Imagine discussing Islamic lectures with friends, holding each other accountable for completing Quran recitation goals, or simply sharing a quiet Tahajjud prayer together. Praying Tahajjud together will increase your Deen practice and increase your interest. This kind of companionship strengthens your faith and makes your spiritual journey more fulfilling.
Of course you can indulge with discussing worldly affairs like movies and actors with your best friends but have you ever contemplated discussing Islam with them?
Discussing the Akhirah, the bad deeds committed by each of you , the mercy of Allah and the stories of the Prophets…these kinds of conversations further deepen the bond you have with your friends and binds a line of fate and connectivity between you and them. That connection transcends geographical lines, state borders and terrains. The bond you develop between each of you is beyond comprehension and no matter how long you meet, you will physically FEEL that nothing has changed and they are still your dearest friends.
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The Good And the Bad
There are definitely friends who will guide you but there are also some…”friends” that can sell your soul to Satan if you are not careful.
Relationships are never one-sided. There is an issue from both sides which requires communication to fix it. Islam emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with positive influences. Just as good friends can uplift and support you, bad friends can lead you astray and hinder your spiritual growth
The Quran warns us about the influence of bad friends in Surah Furqaan. It warns us to stay away from people who hinder our growth as a spiritual person and only exist to distract us from our Islamic duties.
People who dont pray, who mock Islamic practices , who indulge in too many desires and sinful activities…such kind of people must not be befriended. If you try to teach them the good things and they still turn away from that, then that is your sign to leave them and pursue a new relationship with someone.
This verse highlights the negative influence of those who are not mindful of Allah (SWT).
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Bad friends can
- Encourage Sinful Activities : They might pressure you to engage in activities that go against Islamic teachings, like neglecting prayers, listening to forbidden music, or indulging in gossip.
- Hinder Spiritual Growth : Their lack of interest in religious matters can make it difficult for you to stay motivated on your spiritual journey.
- Lead to Negative Habits : They might introduce you to bad habits like smoking, extravagance, or laziness.
- Diminish Your Values : Their actions and words can gradually erode your Islamic values and morals.
Here are some signs that a friend might be a negative influence
- They constantly disregard Islamic teachings.
- They encourage you to engage in sinful activities.
- They belittle your efforts to practice your faith.
- They make fun of your religious beliefs.
- They drag you down with negativity and gossip.
Islam encourages you to distance yourself from negative influences. Seek friends who share your faith and values.
- Be assertive and set boundaries when pressured to do wrong.
- Focus on building positive relationships with people who uplift you.
- Seek guidance from Islamic scholars if you’re unsure.
- Remember, distancing yourself from bad friends doesn’t mean being hostile. It simply means prioritizing relationships that align with your spiritual goals and contribute to your well-being.
Choosing your companions wisely is a vital aspect of living a fulfilling Islamic life.
Remember, distancing yourself from bad friends isn’t a rejection, but a necessary step towards protecting your own well-being and spiritual development. Think of it as weeding your garden – removing negativity allows positive influences to flourish. Seek out friendships within your local mosque or Muslim community groups. Attend Islamic lectures and events, or explore online platforms that connect Muslims with shared interests.
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Conclusion
Don’t be afraid to initiate conversations and build genuine connections based on mutual respect and a desire for spiritual growth. Remember, the most important qualities in a friend are a shared faith in Allah (SWT) and a sincere commitment to supporting each other’s journey towards becoming better Muslims, both in this life (dunya) and the hereafter (akhirah). By cultivating positive friendships and distancing yourself from negative influences, you embark on a path of spiritual enrichment and pave the way for a life filled with purpose and blessings from Allah (SWT).