The Value of Friendship in Islam

Introduction

In the name of Allah ﷻ, the Most Kind, the Most Merciful, and salutations and blessings be on the best of creation, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his family.

Allah ﷻ has said in the Holy Qur’an:

“Say, O Prophet, ‘If you sincerely love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’”

[Surah Al-Imran 3:32]

Human beings by nature are social creatures, in need of companions and friends. Most of our lives depend on interactions with others, and man is therefore compelled to live in society and with other individuals. Friendship in Islam is considered one of the Divine blessings from Allah ﷻ through which one overcomes loneliness and solitude.

Islam has placed tremendous importance on sociability and friendship. In the Holy Qur’an, great emphasis has been placed on the concept of friendship because maintaining good company plays a pivotal role in shaping the life of the individual and it influences the path that will be chosen in life.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ on different occasions had clearly stated its importance, the criteria for choosing a friend, characteristics of a good friend, and the rights of a friend.

Choosing friends wisely is of utmost importance because on the Day of Judgment we might regret and be harmed by some of the friendships we had in this world.

“Your best friend is the one who: Seeing him reminds you of Allah ﷻ, speaking to him increases your knowledge, and his actions remind you of the hereafter.”

(Al-Muhasibi)

Allah ﷻ has said:

“And (remember) the Day when the wrongdoer will bite his hands and say: Woe to me! Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger. Woe to me! If only I had not taken so-and-so as a friend! He has led me astray from this Reminder (the Qur’an) after it had come to me. And Satan is ever a deserter to man in the hour of need.”

[Surah Al-Furqan 25:27–29]

“I wish there had been between me and you the distance between the east and the west! What an evil companion [you are]!”

[Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:38]

Friends are an integral and important part of our social life as they contribute greatly to the development of one’s personality and affect many aspects of our lives.

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah ﷻ says:

“Friends, on that day, will become enemies to one another, except the God-fearing.”

[Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:67]

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ while explaining the impact of friends said:

“A man follows the religion of his friend; so, each one should consider whom he makes his friend.”

[Sunan Abu Dawud 4833]

Islam attaches great emphasis on the choice of a friend to be selected in life. For this purpose, it is expected that one should employ their judgment in a manner free from emotion and try to set aside the criterion for assessing their real worth.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like one who did it.”

[Ṣaḥih Muslim 1893]

Ultimately, one must discover the human merits and desirable qualities that he/she carries so that one may benefit from their outstanding virtues. Therefore, for the good or bad influences friends can have on the characters and personality of each other, it is important for every man of reason to choose friends that are characterised by good Islamic mannerism and behaviour.

In accordance with the sayings of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, a Muslim must avoid certain sets of people as friends: transgressors, hypocrites, foolish people, liars, and openly sinful friends.

In Islam, the following are some of the characteristics to be looked for in a friend: Deen, Intelligence, Honesty, Uprightness, and being well-mannered.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

[Jami’ Al-Tirmidhi 2515]

As per many Hadith, a friendship entails certain trusts and duties. The one who observes them is a true friend in Islam.

Here are some of the rights of friends:

•⁠ ⁠Respecting them and their personality.

•⁠ ⁠Rendering material support in the time of need.

•⁠ ⁠Advising them when they need your advice.

•⁠ ⁠Forgiving their shortcomings.

•⁠ ⁠Concealing their lapses and faults from others.

•⁠ ⁠Visiting them when they are sick.

•⁠ ⁠Participating in their funeral when they die.

Everyone should strive hard and hasten to obey the Most Gracious, choosing the good deeds that he is able to do, for this life ends swiftly and death comes when it is least expected.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Three things follow a deceased person. Two of them return and one remains. His family, his wealth, and his deeds follow him. His family and wealth return, but his deeds remain.”

[Sahih Bukhari 6149]

Concisely, friends are integral parts of our social life, and it is important to be selective in the choice of companions and friends. The righteous ones who lead one to righteousness in this world and prosperity in the Hereafter should be considered as true friends.

“But the ones who believe and do righteous deeds – We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. [It is] the promise of Allah, [which is] truth, and who is more truthful than Allah in statement.”

[Surah Al-Nisa 4:122]

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“He who loves my Sunnah then he has loved me, and whoever loved me, he shall be with me in Paradise.”

[Jami’ Al-Tirmidhi 2678]

Allah ﷻ knows best.

Written by Abdur Rashid

‘Ālimiyyah Graduate, School Admissions Officer, and Student of Shaykh Faizulhaq Abdulaziz حفظه الله

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