True Friends

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Allah has created humans to be a social creature. By default we do not live alone but with families, friends and communities. We live in societies and form bonds with each other, at times it benefits us and at times it harms us. The Quran and Sunnah have come with guidelines who to befriend, how to befriend and what are the rights of the friend. 

Allah reminds us in the Quran that good friends are like blood brothers. All of the mu'min should be like one family. 

إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ‎﴿١٠﴾

The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy. (10) [Quran, Al Hujurat 49:10]

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said three are the things that whoever has them has tasted the sweetness of iman (Faith) or, in another narration, has completed his iman. One of them is a person has a friend and the only reason for the friendship is the love of Allah. This person meets with this other person not because of a business transaction or mutual benefit but a genuine connection for Allah and by Allah. 

Some of the etiquittes of friendship:
-- Genuinely care for your friend for the love of Allah and for the sake of Allah.
-- Help and take care of each other. We go above and beyond.
-- When a friend invites you, you respond to the invitation.
-- Act like a mirror to your friend and your friend should be able to trust you like he trusts the mirror.
-- Praise your friend in private and in public.
-- Cover the fault/sin of your friends.
-- Defend and make excuse for your friend even if the smear was true. Allah will cover your fault in the Day of Judgment.
-- Don't be jealous of your friend.
-- Don't gossip or spy on your friend or try to outbid them.
-- Make sincere du'a for them. The angels will say aameen to the du'a and ask Allah to give the same to you.
-- When the inevitable happen, pray the jenazah of your friend, make du'a for them, ask Allah's forgiveness for them, and keep in touch with your friend's family and friends. You do this to show that your friend that has passed away meant something to you. Allah will allow sincere friends to enter Jannah together.

Choose your friends carefully and surround yourself with the righteous, not with someone who will harm your religion, your akhirah and your dunya. 

We are friendly with everyone but we don't befriend everyone. Think long and hard who your true friends are and appreciate them. Before it's too late, tell your friends how much you appreciate and love them.

May Allah grant us righteous friends and companions and gather us altogether in Paradise. Aameen. 

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