A FRIEND IN DEEN
IS A FRIEND INDEED
Did you read the caption to this article? Well, read it again,
carefully this time. That's right, it's not a misprint. Really a
friend in Deen is a friend indeed. Let us examine why. Whether we
like it or not every moment of our lives we are interacting with
people. Our occupation, studies and activities provide us with
opportunities to associate with certain groups of people more
often than others.
This company that we keep definitely plays an important role in
the manner we behave. Just to be with it, we tend to do what
those around us are doing. A student is sometimes forced to
behave in a certain manner just to claim his place amongst his
peers. How often have people have to sacrifice principles of Deen
to secure this kind of friendship.
WAY OF LIFE
How important is it for a person to be guarded about the kind
of people he associates with? In a Hadith reported by Abu Hurayra
(Radhiallaahu Ánhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) is
reported to have said, "A Person is upon the way of life of his
close companion so each of you should be careful whom you take as
a close friend".
The effect that the kind of company you keep has on you has
further been illustrated by the beautiful words of Nabi (Sallallaahu
Álayhi Wasallam) where he has mentioned in a Hadith found both in
Bukhari and Muslim.
"The example of a pious companion and an evil companion is
like that of a musk seller and a person blowing a furnace. As for
the musk seller, he may give you some or you may purchase some
from him or you would obtain a beautiful fragrance from him. As
for the person blowing the furnace he may either burn your
clothing or you would obtain an unpleasant odour from him."
While we ensure that we only join good company, let us for a
moment think, what kind of friend have we been to our colleagues
at work, classmates at school and neighbours at home? Have we
been encouraging them to participate in activities that are
un-Islamic.
Am I responsible for the first puff of cigarette that he took,
the first taste of drugs, the first sip of alcohol, the first
attempt at gambling, the first pornographic movie or magazine
which has passed through his hands?
If our answer to any of the above is in the affirmative then let
us ponder over the verse in Surah Furqaan (25:26-29) wherein
Allah Taãla says that the wrongdoer would bite his hands on the
day of Qiyaamat saying,
"Would that I had not taken such a person as a friend, he led me
astray from the message of Allah after it came to me."
Who then is a sincere friend? One who sticks with you through
thick and thin, through prosperity and adversity, above all the
one who is concerned about your welfare both in this world and
the hereafter. Allah Taãla says in Surah Zukhruff (43:67)
"On that day close friends would be enemies of each other except
the God conscious ones."
A friendship which earns the wrath of Allah Taãla is not
worth securing as it is said:
"Being alone is better than having an evil companion and
having a pious companion is better than being alone."