"Friends and Friendship"

Friendship is a sanctuary that we find solace in when the rest of the world seems so inhospitable. To have friends — who we can share our lives with and to whom we can turn — is a blessing and perhaps something too often taken for granted.

A true friend is someone who does not expect too much from you and accepts you as you are. A friend is someone who is happy when you succeed, wants the best for you, and is not critical of you when you fail.

Some people seek friends; some people have the ability to attract friends. Either way, ask Allah to surround you with good friends who will be a positive influence in your life.

Friendship does not require having to always be doing something for your friend, but it does require commitment; like other relationships, sustaining a friendship is work.

Between friends, words do not always have to intrude — a comfortable silence can equal more than a thousand words; just being there counts. But friendship is also a responsibility. When someone chooses you as a friend of all the people in the world, they have chosen you as the one they can confide in, they can trust, and they can turn to for support.

If we look at what friendship entails, we will realize that the responsibility is not something to be taken lightly, for to be trusted now means that you bear the responsibility of keeping what has been confided in you safe. To betray that trust means that you will hurt your friend deeply and it also means earning the displeasure of Allah "God".

One of the important things that Islam and all religions teach us is to always keep good friends and companions. To be a good friend and to have good friends mean to always invite one another to good, to discourage one another from engaging in what will displease Allah "God" and whatever is not good.

Think about who your friends are and what you would do for them. How much would you sacrifice to help a friend that really needs you? I remember watching a story on television many years ago about a man who donated his kidney to his best friend who needed a new kidney! Would your friends go out of their way to help you when you really need it?

"What about Me?"

You could ask yourself if you are a good friend and if you have good friends. Do you help your friend to be a better person, discourage your friend from engaging in sinful acts, and be there for your friend when you are needed? Does your friend do the same for you?

Some friendships last forever, some are short-lived. But good friends will help you grow stronger, and as you grow older, inevitably you will evolve. However, the type of friend that you are to others usually defines your character, and Islam and all religions teaches us to maintain good character, always.

When you look back, how will you be remembered as a friend? How will your friends remember you?

The beauty of friendship — of having a close friend, of being a close friend — is having someone that you can trust and knowing that you are trusted.