A friend is one who is concerned about his friend’s goodness, welfare, and health. A friend wishes to see his friend progress in life, be happy, and enjoy respect and success in both worlds.
A true and sincere friend is a helper, supporter, and protector of one’s spiritual well-being. He encourages what is good and discourages that which is evil and destructive.
On the other hand, an enemy desires the destruction of a person’s life, health, wealth, and respect.
So, can the ‘friend’ who encourages you or offers you drugs or alcohol, or takes you to concerts, cinemas, rave clubs, gambling dens, prostitute quarters, or introduces you to music, pornography, etc., be called a friend?
Nay, he is your enemy!
If you befriend such a person, you will then have Shaytaan, nafs, as well as this ‘friend’ / ‘friends’ as your enemies!
Allah Ta’ala mentions the reality and outcome of such ‘friendship’ in the Qur’aan Shareef:
“On that day, friends will become enemies to one another, except the God-fearing.”
[Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:67]
On the day of Qiyamah [1], many a person will be highly remorseful for having befriended a person who encouraged him towards evil and sin.
Mufti Muhammad Shafi saheb (rahmatullahi alaihi) in his Tafseer –Ma’ariful Qur’aan, quotes an incident narrated by Ali (radiyallahu anhu) regarding two Muslim friends and two non-Muslim friends, which should make us reflect on the friends that we are and the friends we have.
One of the Muslim friends died. When he was given the glad tidings of Jannah, he remembered his friend and supplicated in his favour: “O Allah! That friend of mine would advise me to obey You and Rasulullah (sallahu alaihi wasallam). He would direct me towards virtuous deeds and prevent me from evil deeds. He kept reminding me that one day I would have to meet You. O Allah! Do not misguide him after me so that he may also see the scenes of Jannah as You have shown them to me. Be pleased with him, as You are with me.”
In reply, it will be said to him: “Do not worry. If you know what rewards I have stored for your friend, you will weep less and laugh more.” Later, when the friend will also have died, both souls will meet, and Allah Ta’ala will direct them to praise each other. Thereupon, they will say about the other: “He is the best brother, companion, and friend.”
On the other hand, when one of the non-Muslim friends will die, and he will be told that he will go to Jahannum, he will recollect his friend and will supplicate thus: “O Allah! That friend of mine would insist that I disobey You and Your Messenger (sallahu alaihi wasallam). He would direct me towards vices, prevent me from doing good deeds, and say that I would never meet You. O Allah! Do not give him guidance after me so that he may also see the scenes of Hell, as You have shown them to me, and be displeased with him, just as You are displeased with me.”
Later, when the other friend will also have died, their souls will be brought together, and they will be directed to condemn each other. Each will say about the other: “He is the worst brother, worst companion and worst friend.”[2]
Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) cautioned us regarding our choice of friends:
“A person is on the Deen (way of life) of his friend, so every one of you should look at whom he befriends.”[3]
The most common cause of sins amongst the youth is peer pressure. Almost every person divulges being introduced to sins through ‘friends’.
When pressured to commit sins, be firm on Deen and courageous. Say: I do not want to displease my kind and loving Allah Ta’ala. I do not want to walk the path to Jahannum. I do not want to invite the fire of Jahannum into my life.
May Allah Ta’ala make us good, righteous friends and grant us such friends who will benefit and assist us in our Deen.
[1] Qiyamah: Resurrection
[2] Ibn Kathir, as quoted in Ma’ariful Quran
[3] Abu Dawood / Tirmidhi