Who is a Friend?
[By Maulana Yunus Patel Rahimahullah]
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, many a person will be highly remorseful for having befriended a person who encouraged him towards evil and sin.
Forgive Others
Nabi (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“Charity does not decrease wealth; no one forgives except that Allah increases his honour, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status.”
It is much easier on the heart to forgive and let the past remain in the past than to hold onto it, carry it with us, and stay unhappy, depressed and miserable. This burden bogs a person down. Many a time, holding onto the past deprives a person of productivity and being able to live life successfully.
