A Friend Weeping for his Friend--Real Friendship in Islam*
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"For various moral, psychological and social
reasons, people need good company and close friendship. The type of
friends you have, often indicate the type of person you are. 'Show me
your friends and I will tell you what you are,' says the well-known
proverb. The noble Prophet (pbuh) pointed to the value of good company
when he said that it is better to be alone than in the company
of the wicked, and it is better to be in the company of the good than
to be alone. Good company can be a great source of help and
support in leading a virtuous life, while bad company can lead to sin
and ruin.... The Prophet (S) was asked: "What is the person that can
be the best friend?" "He who helps you when you remember God, and he
who reminds you when you forget Him," the Prophet (S) replied. Then he
(S) was asked, "And which friend is the worst?" "He who does not help
you when you remember God and does not remind you of God when you
forget," he replied. Then he was again asked, "Who is the best
among people?" He replied, "He who when you look at
him, you remember God."
.....When Zaid ibn Harithah (R), the servant of
Muhammad (S), was killed at the battle of Mu'tah, the Prophet
(S) said: "Zayd strove in the path of God sincerely as he should.
Today he has met his Lord, and he is serene." Thereafter, Zayd's
daughter found the Prophet (S) weeping over the dead body of her
father and said: "What do I see?" The noble Prophet (peace be upon
him), with tears in his eyes, said: "A friend weeping for his
friend."
Through such actions and sentiments, the Prophet
(S) showed his gentleness and true human friendship and brotherhood. "
(Taken from "ISLAM- The Natural Way", pages 95-97, by Abdul
Wahid Hamid)