The Gift of Friendship

The Gift of Friendship

BY:Ubaid

Daniyal Hassan Shoukat went to visit his friend Nasir at his home one afternoon. When he knocked on the door, it was Nasir’s younger brother who came out and told him politely, “Bhai isn’t home right now.”

Shoukat and Nasir lived in the same neighborhood and were both students at the same college. They spent a lot of time together and shared many interests. Alongside them, there was another friend, Tanveer, who lived in a different neighborhood. However, Shoukat had been upset with Tanveer for a while, and because of that, their friendship had grown cold. Nasir, being the peacemaker of the group, had tried several times to mend the broken bond between the two, but his efforts always ended without success.

On his way back home, as Shoukat turned into the next street, he suddenly saw Nasir coming from the opposite direction. They both noticed each other at the same time. After exchanging greetings and asking how the other was doing, Shoukat said, “I came to see you earlier, but you weren’t home. Where had you gone?”

“I went to see Tanveer,” Nasir replied calmly.

The mention of Tanveer’s name instantly changed Shoukat’s expression. His face tightened, and he looked away, but Nasir continued before he could say anything. “He’s very worried these days.”

“Worried? Why, what happened?” Shoukat asked, his curiosity overcoming his irritation.

Nasir hesitated for a moment and then explained, “His father is very ill. The doctors say he needs surgery, but…” His voice trailed off, and he stopped.

“But what?” Shoukat pressed.

“They don’t have the money,” Nasir finished with a sigh.

Shoukat’s face grew serious. “How much will it cost?”

Nasir told him the amount, and Shoukat simply said, “Oh… may Allah make things easier for him, InshaAllah.”

“Yes, and you should also pray for him,” Nasir added. “May Allah improve their condition.”

With that, the two friends said goodbye, and Shoukat walked back toward his own home. Yet, the news of Tanveer’s situation troubled him deeply. On the way, he kept thinking about his friend. Despite their disagreements, he could not ignore Tanveer’s hardship. By the time he reached his home, Shoukat had already made up his mind: not only would he reconcile with Tanveer, but he would also help ease his burden.

Shoukat belonged to a well-off family. His father owned a sugar mill, and their household was blessed with wealth and comfort. His father, known to all, was a generous and kind-hearted man. The moment Shoukat stepped inside, he went straight to his father’s room and sat down beside him.

“What’s the matter, son?” his father asked after noticing his worried face. “You look troubled. Is everything alright?”

Shoukat told him everything—about Tanveer, his father’s illness, the operation, and the financial struggle they were going through. Finally, he explained his intention of helping their friend.

After hearing the whole story, Shoukat’s father smiled with contentment. “You are doing a very good thing, my son. Stay here for a while; I’ll be back.” He walked into his bedroom, and after a short while, he returned holding a sealed envelope. Handing it to Shoukat, he said warmly, “Take this, and may Allah accept your good deed.”

Shoukat held the envelope with both hands, thanked his father, and left for Nasir’s house. When Nasir opened the door, Shoukat said, “Come with me to Tanveer’s house.”

Nasir’s eyes widened in surprise. “Do you mean… you want to reconcile with him?”

“Yes,” Shoukat replied with a smile. “Reconciliation and charity.”

“What do you mean?” Nasir asked in confusion.

Shoukat then explained, “I was upset with him, that’s true. But after hearing about his problems, I couldn’t just sit and watch. I want to help him. Allah has blessed me with the chance to do something good, and I’m grateful for that. Now let’s go.”

Together they walked to Tanveer’s modest home. Though Tanveer belonged to a poor family, he was dignified and hospitable. He welcomed them warmly and, with whatever little he had, tried to serve them respectfully. Shoukat noticed the worry hidden behind his friend’s smile. His eyes betrayed the burden he was trying to hide.

“Tanveer,” Shoukat finally said, “I’ve come to put an end to our quarrel. I want to be friends again.”

Tanveer’s face immediately lit up with joy. Being a generous-hearted person, he accepted the reconciliation without hesitation, and the three of them began talking like old times. After a while, Shoukat quietly pulled the envelope from his pocket and extended it toward Tanveer.

“What’s this?” Tanveer asked in surprise.

“This is some money for your father’s treatment,” Shoukat explained.

Tanveer looked at the envelope, stunned. “But… how can I… I don’t know if I can accept this…” He hesitated, unable to speak clearly.

“Keep it, Tanveer,” Nasir encouraged him. “Allah has given Shoukat the chance to do a good deed. Don’t refuse and let this blessing go to waste.”

Tanveer hesitated again, his hands trembling. But finally, with tears brimming in his eyes, he accepted the envelope. “Shoukat, I thank Allah for blessing me with such friends,” he said, his voice breaking. As he spoke, tears rolled down his cheeks and soaked into his clothes.

Shoukat, equally moved, replied softly, “I too thank Allah for granting me the opportunity to help. It is my good fortune. In this world, very few people are chosen by Allah for acts of goodness.”

“You’re right,” Nasir said with a nod.

After spending some more time together, Shoukat and Nasir left Tanveer’s house and made their way back home. That night, Shoukat felt a deep sense of peace in his heart. He silently thanked Allah for giving him the chance to reconcile with his friend and to serve humanity in a meaningful way.

For Shoukat, the lesson was clear: true friendship was not just about laughter and shared moments but about standing beside each other in times of trial. And above all, real wealth lay not in money, but in the ability to use it for kindness.