In our contemporary society,friends are made at school,at work,in Neighborhoods and even over the internet.friends are kept for a variety of reasons.People make friends with others who share common interest,hobbies and even vices.The final goal Id often simple company,a desire to spend time with someone,doing something that they both enjoy.A Muslim ought to choose friends more carefully and critically.certainly,Muslims,like everyone else,want friends who share interests and who are fun to be with.We all enjoy spending time with a friend or even going to supper with them.But ,!that is not only what a true Islamic friendship is all about.In fact an Islamic friendship is not that simple.In Islam,true friendship are bound by brotherhood and sisterhood,bonds that are stronger than typical friendship.They are bond that exist for a much higher reason and with a greater goal.A Muslim friendship is one that exists primarily for the sake of Alah the all Mighty,The love and camaraderie that is born from such a friendship is a secondary benefit,for sure. Love for others come in different forms.Love between spouses is one form and friendships is another.However all form of fondness for one another will regarded as love in this post. Realistically,pure love of another person only for the sake of Allah is difficult.Few people can attain such a friendship,which is why Allah rewards such an act of faith generously.The Prophet SAW explained,Allah said:those who love one another for My glory will be upon Mimbars of light,and the prophets and martyrs will wish they had the same. At- Tirmithi Nevertheless,many of us,in an attempt to reach this high level of faith,must try to make and build strong friendships that benefit us and our Ummah.In Islam true friendship is brotherhood or sisterhood,a bond that is strong and enduring.In this bond we can find the sweetness of faith as the prophet SAW says: There are three things that whoever attains them will find the sweetness of faith:if Allah and his messenger SAW are dearer to him than anyone or anything else;if he loves a person solely for the sake of Allah;and if he hates to return to disbelief after Allah has rescued him from it,as much as he hate to be thrown into the fire. Al Buhaari and Muslim The rewards of loving another for Allahs sake are consistent with its importance.its impact is not singular,it affects the entire society.If we could each want for our friends what we want fir ourselves,the world would be a better place.This is what Islam ensures.If there is brotherhood and unity among the people,the society at large will be united. The Prophet SAW instilled a deep-rooted love in the heart of the companions RA. to create a model Islamic society that all Muslims thereafter can emulate.The Islamic society is ideally built upon the foundation of brotherhood,ad the Prophet SAW advised: Believers are like a structure, parts of which supports one another.The believers,in their mutual friendship,mercy and affection are like one body;if any part of it complains,the rest of the body will also stay awake in fever. Buhaari and Muslim Since love amongst the believers is a condition of faith in Islam the peace and harmony that is desired by all can be achieved,as each individual strive to do good and earn reward.So what can we do? How can we be sure that our friendships are for the sake of Allah? Our lives are full of opportunitlies to increase and improve our friendships. First as any undertaking we need to make pure and sincere our intentions.After a pure intention we need sincere actions.The Prophet SAW recommended a very simple but significant way to help Muslims gain love and brotherhood. I swear by the one in whos hands is my soul.You will not enter paradise until you believe,and u will not believe until you love one another.Shall I not tell you of something that if you do it,you will love one another,Spread Salaam saying As-Slaam Alaykum amongst yourselves. Muslim Greeting each other frequently and lovingly is the first step to achieving the ideal brotherhood. It would seem that greeting another with As-Ssalaam Alaykum is an easy action. However,given the nature of men and women and our vulnerability to changing emotions,sometimes these simple words are hard to utter The beauty of Islam is that it is realistic.So it is allowed for us to cool off,but we are not allowed to cut off friendships based on unreasonable emotions.the Prophet SAW said: It is not permissible for a Muslim to be abandoned from his brother for more than three days, both of them turning away from one another when they meet.The better of them is the one who is first to greet the other. Buhaari and Muslim These teachings encourage Muslims to improve themselves, thereby improving their society.Do not break off ties with one another.Do not turn away from one another.Do not hate one another.and do not envy one another.Be O slaves of Allah; brothers. So- Buhaari The Prophet SAW memory and words live in our hearts and minds. Heeding his advise,we should realize that we are supposed to brothers and sisters in Islam because we share a common religion and belief. We are to be brothers and sisters in our hearts because we share a common goal. ALLAHS PLEASURE.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 13:11:39 +0000