Friendship

I realized that I don't say it much, but I'm blessed to know the people that I know, and to have the friends I have, Alhamdullilah. Whenever I have a cause for concern, I am reminded of my friends and the blessings that they bring ... every single day.

I just read this article about Islam and Friendship - excerpted here:

"Friends on that Day will be enemies one to another, except al-Muttaqoon (i.e. those who have Taqwah)." [Quran 43:67]

Hafidh Ibn Katheer, commenting on this verse, relates a story on the authority of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (r.a.a.) and says that any friendship for other than Allah is turned into enmity, except what was in it for Allah the Mighty and Majestic: Two who are friends for Allah's sake; one of them dies and is given good news that he will be granted al-Jannah, so he remembered his friend and he supplicated for him, saying: O Allah, my friend used to command me to obey You and to obey Your Prophet (s.a.w.) and used to command me to do good and to forbid me from doing evil. And he told me that I will meet You. O Allah, do not let him go astray after me, until you show him what you have just shown me, until You are satisfied with him, just like You are satisfied with me." So he is told: "Had you known what is (written) for you friend, would you have laughed a lot and cried a little." Then his friend dies and their souls are gathered, and both are asked to express their opinions about each other. So each one of them says to his friend: you were the best brother, the best companion and the best friend."

I have often lost out when I moved away from my friends because we had different experiences when we were apart ... it is Allah's will, but it also serves as a reminder that I am a product of the people that I have surrounded myself with. This past year has been difficult with so much moving around, and so much craziness in my life - i.e. Law School! And I have allowed some friendships to deteriorate, while others continue to stay strong. More than ever, this year I have depended on those near and dear to me to keep sane and to keep on track ... they often remind me why I'm here, even if they don't know realize it.

Sealing a friendship for Allah's sake will result in one's receiving protection of Allah (s.w.t.). And as Ibn Abbas said: "No one may taste true faith except by this (i.e. building relationships for Allah's sake), even if his prayers and fasts are many. People have come to build their relationship around the concerns of the world, but it will not benefit them in any way." A scholar has said: "To seal a friendship for Allah's sake indicates the obligation of establishing relationships of love and trust for His sake; this is a friendship for the sake of Allah. It also indicates that simple affection is not enough here; indeed what is meant is a love based upon alliance. This entails assistance, honour, and respect. It means being with those whom you love both in word and deed." Loyalty for the sake of Allah really means to love Allah and to come to the assistance of His Deen; to love those who are obedient to Him and to come to their help. Moreover, the Shahadah "La Ilaha Illa Allah" requires us to ally ourselves for the sake of Allah, and it requires us to ally ourselves to the Muslims wherever we find them

Dear friends ... through you, I have tasted true faith. I pray that I have been a trustworthy friend, and one that has helped keep you on task, and on the path - for so many of you have done it for me, and continue to everyday. So I pray that we may continue these friendships, in the tradition of the Prophet (saws) and that we may continue to be friends fisabillilah.

"It is from Allah's blessings upon a youth when he turns to worship that he is given brother who is a follower of the Sunnah encouraging him upon it".