Friendship

In all cultures, friendship is considered a greatly important interpersonal relationship that we all need to experience and maintain.

Having a true friend is a blessing, and you probably already know that. But like in any other relationship, having a healthy and satisfactory friendship requires effort from both sides.

Will not trigger doubts in you about your friendship; Will stand up for you; Is honest and trustworthy; Is not passive-aggressive towards you; Accepts you and encourages you; Celebrate your success; Share your sorrow; Respects you and your boundaries.

The first, and somewhat obvious, characteristic of a true friend is compatibility. We have similarities with our friends and share common interests. Eventually shared similarities and interests create an avenue for the next two characteristics to grow and take root in a friendship. A true friend must be committed, and compassionate always pushing you for the right path in life and stopping you from every wrong.

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. Here is the importance of friendship in Islam:

1. People with the same values and beliefs make good companions

Our role model in life, the Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasized the importance for us to have a good friend. The value of a real friendship between Muslims and how good company is good for our imaan too. We need to surround ourselves with good people to make our life better and to be the better of us.

2. Friendship with the same value and interests is better

What kind of friendship is strongly suggested in Islam? It is of course friendship based on the same value and interests. That is how we can exchange our knowledge and learn a lot of new things regarding our beliefs with each other. That doesn’t mean Islam prohibited friendship across values and beliefs.

A company that comes along with different values and interest also make a good friend. In fact, it is sometimes can be challenging and interesting. However, because that company doesn’t share similar values with us, then our friendship was built above no solid foundation.

“The believer to the believer is like a solid building, one part supporting the other.” – Bukhari & Muslim

3. Islam is a solid foundation for friendship

The one solid foundation for friendship is only Islam. The basis of Islam is everything we do has to be in the name of Allah SWT, to worship Him and only to seek his pleasure and blessings. This should be applied in every aspect of our lives, including the friendship we made in our life. In Islam, there is nothing worthier in this world but worshiping Allah SWT and doing everything for His blessing, and acknowledging Muhammad (SAW) as His messenger.

If our company has the same beliefs and also worships Allah SWT, then it makes the strongest foundation ever for a friendship. We and our friends can strengthen each other’s beliefs, and increase the qualities of our imaan together. As said by the Messenger of Allah (SAW),

“The example of the believers, in their mutual love and mercy for one another is like the example of one body, if one part feels pain, then all of the body suffers in sleeplessness and fever.” – Bukhari & Muslim

4. Friendship is important in Islam

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. Good company makes a better life for us, not only because we can support each other in our religious life, but also in our worldly life as well. A good friend will not leave you because of your mistake, but he guides and supports you to find the right way. Forgiving your fault but correcting you to be better. He loves and forgives in the name of Allah.

5. Friend is a strong influencer

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) warned us to choose our companions carefully. A person is easily influenced by his friends, so be careful about whom you choose the side. Because it's easy to take after someone who we are close to, we have to find the best quality in our friends.

6. Friendship in Islam is connected by Allah SWT

Every believer is connected by their faith in Allah SWT, so it’s important to keep the good friend ourselves. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said,

“A person visited his brother in another town and God sent an angel to wait for him on his way. The angel said, “Where do you intend to go?” the man answered, “I intend to go to my brother in this town.” The angel said, “Have you done any favor to him, the repayment of which you intend to get?” He said: “No, I love him for the sake of God, the Exalted and Glorious.” Thereupon the angel said, “I am a messenger to you from God to inform you that God loves you as you love him.” – Muslim

7. A good friend will always guide you in the path of Allah

It is one of the qualities that should be possessed by a friend of a Muslim, increase your knowldge, and always remind you of Allah SWT. Remind you to the purpose of life is only worshiping Allah.

8. A friendship should increase the blessing of Allah

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 gives us the best friends who will increase His blessings.

9. A wrong companion leads us to the wrong way

A wrong company will guide us to the wrong path that will stray us away from the light of Allah SWT.

“Friends on that day will be enemies to each other, except those who kept their duty (to Allah).” – Zukhraf (43:67)

10. Friendship is a gift in Islam

A friend is one of the most important parts of someone’s life. Those who have friends will never know the feeling of being lonely 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.

11. To improve the way of life

The importance of finding the right friend is to improve the way of life. We can take the good things to learn from our friend, and give our best to him too. So we and our friends could be better people through friendship.

12. A good friend is a treasure in this world

Iman Ali bin Abi Thalib (AS) said a real friend is like a treasure of the world and hereafter as well. Not only they will make us happy in this world, but the friendship continues in the afterlife. As he said, “Find friends for yourself from among your coreligionist brethren since they are the treasures of this world and also the next world.”