.....Choosing
Your Friends
Humans are social creatures by their nature and in need of friends and
companions. Much of our lives is spent in interaction with others. For us,
Submitters (Muslims in Arabic), who are living in a society where we are
clearly a minority, the issue of choosing the right companions is essential
for preserving our religion and maintaining our righteousness.
Befriending
the right people is an essential mean for staying on the Straight Path. In
choosing our friends we should be looking for friends who believe in God
and His scriptures. Living in a society where Submitters (Muslims) are a
minority is a challenge by itself that is rewarded by God fully. In such
a society, finding the righteous friend may not be easy at the beginning
but insisting on them and looking for them is a sign to God that you are
sincere in your search and He will direct you in the right path.
Since
we cannot always find other Submitters (Muslims) near us, God permitted us
in the Quran to befriend other people from other religions as long as they
do not mock God or our religion. If you have school mates or neighbors who
are not Submitters (Muslims) whom you like, who behave righteously as far
as their religion command them and who do respect your beliefs and religion,
you can have them as friends. Those who do not respect your beliefs, and
mock your religion or God do not deserve you and you should not keep them
any more. If you choose to befriend non-Submitters, remember that you cannot
compromise any aspect of your religion just to please your friends. Always
remember that we are here in this life to please God first. Also remember
that some of those who are born in a Submitters (Muslim) family and
call themselves Submitters (Muslims) while in reality have not got a grip
on their religion, may be as bad friends as non-submitters who mock your
religion. Beware, only befriend those who believe God and respect His
commandments, do not think because a person call him/herself a Submitter
(a Muslim) , guarantees that he/she will be a good friend.
A
good friend will always remind you of God, remind you of performing your
Salat (Contact prayers), support you when you fast, remind or encourage you
to pay Zakat (obligatory charity) and do righteous work and behave respectfully
in your community as God told us in the Quran. Having bad friends is the
same like having the Devil as your guidance. The bases for the actions of
those who follow the evil ways are corrupt; their actions are built upon
misguidance and deviation. Their deeds are worthless to them as God said:
[25:23] "We will
look at all the works they have done, and render them null and void. "
Friends are those who feel for their companions, in both happy and sad moments.
If we share our feelings with the wrong- doers whose actions are worthless
and based on corruption, then we are following the same ways and standards
as they are. Affection which results from that friendship leads to love and
closeness to other than the righteous believers, and this may even lead to
avoiding those who are on the Straight Path. Mixing with the wrong friends
also results in a change in one's behaviour, morals and conduct. If we agree,
follow and are pleased with such friends, then we inherit their habits,
behaviours and even the wrong practices of their religion. Such a person
would find him/herself in a situation wherein he/she is willing to hide
his/her correct beliefs in front of those who despise it
and to separate from the true
believers. When this situation occurs, a point is reached when there is
a very slight difference between the Submitter (Muslim) and his
wrong-doing companion. Such a companionship is the root of sickness of
one's heart and loss of one's religion.
Instead of making friends with the misguided ones we should befriend the
righteous of among all God's religions, and treat the rest in a gracious
and just manner. Staying on a sufficient distance is necessary, yet treating
everybody in a noble and kind manner is
required.
God, the Most Merciful says in the
Qur'an:
"The day will come when the transgressor
will bite his hands (in anguish) and say, "Alas, I wish I had followed the
path with the messenger. "Alas, woe to me, I wish I did not take that person
as a friend. "He has led me away from the message after it came to me. Indeed,
the devil lets down his human
victims."[25:27-29]
. This shows,
how important is choosing our
friends. So take heed before the inevitable Day comes and we are
reckoned for our acts.
God, the Most-Wise also says:
"The close friends on
that day will become enemies of one another, except for the
righteous." [43:67].
A reminder that bad friends in this life will be the worst enemies, blaming
each other for getting into the eternal Hell.. This lesson is for us to know
and take heed.
It is through the good company that God, the Most Merciful, saves those who
are astray and guides the wicked. The benefit of mixing with the righteous
is immense, and it will, God willing, be even more obvious to us in the
Hereafter.
"O you who believe,
you should worry only about your own necks. If the
others go astray, they cannot hurt you, as long as you are guided. To GOD
is your
ultimate destiny, all of you, then He will inform you of everything you had
done."
[5:105]
We pray to God to make us of the righteous ones and give us companions who
will be with us when we walk away from His Wrath and lead us to His Pleasure
and Paradise.
info@submission.org
