Concept of Friendship in Islam

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As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta`ala says in Noble Qur`an;
(interpretation of the meaning)

"O you who believe!
Guard your own souls:
If you follow the right guidance
[and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong]
no hurt can come to you from those who are in error.
The return of you all is to Allah,
then He will inform you about (all) that
which you used to do."

(Noble Qur'an : Surah 5, Ayah 105):

Concept Of Friendship In Islam:

Humans are social creatures by nature;
they're always in need of friends and companions.
Most of our lives depend on interaction with others.
Strong individuals are the core of a strong community,
something that Muslims should always strive for.

We all know that
Allah the Most High has brought us to life in order to test us.
Thus we are here for a relatively short period of time
and that we shall meet Allah one Day,
so we need to use our present life for what is best for us
in the hereafter.

Once we know our purpose and our goal in life,
we should seek ways to achieve them
so as to benefit our own selves.

In an authentic Hadith,
Prophet Mohammad (Sall'Allahu alaihi wasallam) said:

"A person is likely to follow
the faith of his friend,
so look whom you befriend."

       
Prophet Mohammad (Sall'Allahu alaihi wasallam)
who has the most noble character and dealings with fellow humans
gave us a very clear and simple message
and advice in regard to friendship.

How should we choose our friends?

We should choose the friend that believes
and abide by our religion (Islam)
and gives great respect to
what Allah and Prophet Mohammad
(Sall'Allahu alaihi wasallam) has ordered us.

And we should stay away from that
who is not well mannered
and gives no attention to what Islam is about
or what pleases or displeases Allah,
for he'll surely affect us negatively.

There is no good in the companion
drowns us in sins and displeasing Allah.

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
Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta`ala says in Noble Qur`an;
(interpretation of the meaning)

"And We will proceed to
what they have done of deeds,
so We shall render them
to scattered floating dust."

(Noble Qur'an - Surah 25: Ayah 23)

Their actions, even if we see them as righteous and noble
are of no value to them, so how can they be useful to us?

Good friends are those
who share their companions
both happiness and sadness.

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,
and we'll end up being as corrupted as they are,
and then we're in a big trouble, how can we face
Allah's dissatisfaction and displeasure?!

Instead of making friends with the misguided ones
we should befriend the righteous,
yet treat the rest in a gracious and just manner.

Staying at sufficient distance is necessary;
yet treating everybody
in a noble and kind manner is required.

In another Hadith,
Prophet Mohammad (Sall'Allahu alaihi wasallam) said:

"The example of
a good companion and a bad companion
is like that of the seller of musk,
and the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows.
So as for the seller of musk then
either he will grant you some,
or you buy some from him,
or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him.
As for the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows then
either he will burn your clothes
or you will get an offensive smell from him."

When choosing our friends
we should ask ourselves first:

Are they going to help us achieve the purpose
for which we were brought to life?
or will they take us away from it?

Will they desire for us Allah's pleasure
or is that completely irrelevant to them
and not their concern at all?

Are they leading us to Paradise
or to the Hell?

Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta`ala says in Noble Qur`an;
(interpretation of the meaning)

"O you who believe!
Guard your own souls:
If you follow the right guidance,
[and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong]
no hurt can come to you from those
 who are in error.
The return of you all is to Allah,
 then He will inform you about (all) that
 which you used to do."
(Noble Qur'an: 5:105)