Hawzah News Agency | The Almighty God states in the Holy Quran regarding the importance of friendship:
«الْأَخِلَّاءُ یَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقِینَ.»
"On that day (the Day of Judgment), friends will be one another’s enemies, except for the Godwary." (43:67)
Explanation:
On one hand, a wise and thoughtful person is forward-thinking; on the other hand, our future is tied to God: "To Him do we indeed return, (Quran 2:156)" . Just as our past is not separate from the Almighty: "Indeed we belong to Allah, (Quran 2:156)" . Therefore, the standard for all aspects of life for a wise and thoughtful person must be piety (taqwa)—that is, to consider God as present and observing, and to make His satisfaction and will the basis for all choices.
This criterion must also be observed when choosing a friend, companion, or life partner. Friendship should be for the sake of God, and enmity should also be for His sake.
Friendship that is not framed within the commands and prohibitions of God will result in nothing but regret. This is why the Quran, describing some people whose criterion for friendship was not piety, states:
«یا وَیْلَتی لَیْتَنِی لَمْ أَتَّخِذْ فُلاناً خَلِیلًا.»
"Woe to me! I wish I had not taken so and so as a friend!" (25:28)
In light of this, one must exercise utmost care in choosing friends to avoid the regret mentioned in the Quran. Therefore, we should seek companions and friends who can better and more greatly facilitate our closeness to God. For this reason Imam Ali, peace be upon him, says:
«مَنْ أَحَبَّکَ نَهَاکَ.»
"Your friend is the one who restrains you [from sin]." (Oyun al-Hikam, v. 1, p. 451)
And he, peace be upon him, also says:
«اَلصَّدِیقُ اَلصَّدُوقُ مَنْ نَصَحَکَ فِی عَیْبِکَ.»
"A true friend is the one who guides you regarding your faults." (Ghurar al-Hikam, v. 1, p. 104)
These narrations also carry a message for us: if we wish to be good friends, companions, or partners to others, we must not only be pious ourselves but also help our friends to draw closer to God.
This type of friendship will never lead to regret, for anything that carries the fragrance of God is eternal and everlasting.
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The International Service of "Hawzah News Agency"
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