Friendship: Part One

Posted under Random by Radiant Light

Assalamualaykum warhamtuAllah

I recently finished reading “The Begining of Guidance by Imam Ghazzali (RahimuAllah alayh)”.

I want to share the great Imams wisdom in regards to friendship inshaAllah. It is rather long so I will inshaAllah split it up into a few posts, into digestible amounts :)

The Etiquette’s of Association with Friends

Concerning your brethren and friends, you have two tasks:
You should first consider the stipulations of companionship and friendship so that you will establish the relationship of brotherhood only with those who are fit for brotherhood and friendship.

The Messnger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wassalam said:
“A man is considered by Allah to be of the religion of his intimate friend (khalil) so let each of you consider whom he has taken for an intimate friend”

 Five Qualities of Friendship

When you try to find a companion in order that he may be your partner in the acquisition of knowledge and your companion in your religious and secular matters, look for five qualities in him:

Quality One : Intelligence

There is no good in the companionship of a stupid man. Companionship with such a man ends in isolation and separation. The best of all that he will do to you is to harm you when he really intends benefit for you. An enemy who is intelligent is better for you than a friend who is stupid.
Thus Ali Radiyallahu anhu said:
“Do not be in the company of an ignorant friend;
Beware of him and let him beware of you.
How often an ignorant man has bought destruction;
To a forbearing man who has befriended him.
A man is likened with another man;
When that man walks with him.
Like the similarity of one shoe to another;
When it is set opposite to it.
A thing has patterns and resemblances from other things.
A soul reflects another soul which it encounters”

Part Two Coming soon InshaAllah

Duas Requested
Wassalamualaykum warahmatuAllah