Islam and friendship: Islamic Sayings on Friendship or Friendship Sayings(Friendship Stories)

Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) stated, "The believer is like a mirror to
other believers (in truthfulness)." Like a mirror, your friend gives
you an honest image. He forgives your mistakes, but does not hide or
exaggerate your strengths and weaknesses.
Once the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was asked, "What person can be the
best friend?" "He who helps you rememberAllah (SWT), and reminds you
when you forget Him," the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), counseled.
Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was further asked, "Who is the best among
people?" Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) replied, "He who, when you look at
him, you remember Allah (SWT)". Such a friend reflects qualities of
love, mercy, honesty, service, patience, optimism, professionalism,
and the entire lifestyle taught by Islam.
Imam Ali (as)Says: "The poor is one who does nothave any friend."
Imam Ali (as) Says: "Live amongst people in such amanner that if you
die they weep over you and if you are alive they cravefor your company
(friendship)."
Imam Ali (as) Says:"Friendship transfers a stranger in to a relative."
Imam Ali (as) Says: "Do not choose as your friendthe enemy of your friend."
Imam Ali (as) Says: "Two true friends are a single soul in different bodies."
Imam Ali (as) Says: "He who discards a friend for slight offence risks
loneliness."
Imam Ali (as) Says: "In time of distress a man can distinguished
between his friend and enemy."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) Says: "Be careful to have truthful friends and
try toobtain them, for they are your support when you are in welfare,
and your advocator when you have misfortune."
Imam Ali (as) Says: "Be not friend with a fool, forhe will harm you
while meaning to do good to you."
Imam Ali (as) Says: "It is better to listen to a wise enemy than to
seek counsel from a foolish friend."
Imam Ali (as) Says: "Keep away from friendship of liar surely he will
show you as near what is far from you and will show as far what is
near you."
Imam Ali (as) Says: "O' Kumayl! Say what is just in any condition. Be
friends with the righteous and avoid the evil doers, stay away from
the hypocrites and do not accompany the treacherous."
Imam Sajjad (as) Says:"Beware of the companionship of the sinful, and
helping of the unjust."
Imam Ali (as) Says: "If a friend envies you, then he is not a true friend."
Imam Ali (as) Says:"Verily, there are three (types of) friends for a Muslim,
*.The friend who says: I am with you whether you are alive or dead',
and this is his deed.
*.The friend who says: I am with you unto the threshold of your
graveand then I will leave you', and this is his children.
*.The friend who says: I will be with you until when you die', and
this is his wealth which will belong to the inheritorswhen he dies."
Imam Ali (as) Says: "He who is deserted by friends and relatives will
often find help and sympathy from strangers."
Imam Hassan (as) Says:"Befriend people in the same manner you would
like them to befriend you."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) Says: "Be the friend of him who may grace you,
not of one whom you arebetter than." (Viz. make friends with ones who
are higher than you so that you progress.)
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) Says: "My most beloved brother is he who
(makesme aware of) my faults."
Imam Hassan Askari (as) Says: "Those who advise their friend secretly
are respecting them, and those who advise them openly are humiliating
them."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) hasnarrated from his father Imam Muhammad Baqir
(as) who said his father Imam Sajjad (as) stated:"O' my son! Beware of
five(groups) and do not seek companionship (friendship) with them, do
not speak with them, and do not make friends with them on (the) way."
Then, Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) asked his father who they were and
might he introduces them to him. Imam Sajjad(as) responded:
*."Beware of and do not associate with the one who tells lies. He is
as a mirage which makes near for you what is far, and makes far to you
what is near."
*."Beware of and do not associate with an immoral person, because he
will sell you at the price of a morsel or less than that."
*."Beware of and do not associate with a miser because he will
depriveyou of his wealth when you are seriously in need of it."
*."Beware of and do not associate with a fool, because he wants to be
of avail to you but he harms you."
*."Beware of and do not associate with the one who disregards his
kinfolks, because I found him (such a person) cursed in the Book
Allah, Almighty and Glorious, in three occurrences." They are: (Sura
Al-Baqarah, 2:27; Sura Ar-Rad, 13:25; and Sura Muhammad, 47:22).

Islam and friendship: Companions and Friendship(Islam and Companions, Friendship Stories)

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 individualsare the core of a strong community,
something that Muslims should always strive for.
We all know that Allah (SWT)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 (SWT) one Day, so we need to use our
present life for what is best for usin the hereafter. Once weknow 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 (pbuh)said: "Man is
influenced by the faith ofhis friends. Therefore, be careful of whom
you associate with."
Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) who has the most noble character and dealings
with fellow humans gave us a very clear and simple messageand 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 (SWT) and Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) has ordered us. And we
should stay away from that who is not wellmannered and gives no
attention to what Islam isabout or what pleases or displeases Allah
(SWT), for he will surely affect usnegatively. There is no good in the
companion drowns us in sins and displeasing Allah (SWT).
In another Hadith, Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) 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
blowsthe 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
(SWT)'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?

How does Islam continue to grow in the West?

Someone posted this question recently on an Islamic forum that I belong to:
There all kinds of people coming to Islam. There are some that even
convert in huge masses (20+ people). It's the fastest growing religion
in the UK and USA. Just visit Youtube. How is thata religion that is
put down in the media constantly is the most popular choice today?
Let me put it in marketing terms to start. I don't want to cheapen our
deen which is the most beautiful way of life, ordained for humanity by
Allah. But most people in this consumer culture of the West understand
marketing concepts.
In the marketing industrythey say that there is no such thing as bad
publicity. That may or may not be true, but I do believe it is true
when you have a quality product. Islam is a qualityproduct.
I have heard of many people who initially wanted to learn more about
this "terrible religion" that gets so much bad press. So they picked
up a book on Islam or a copy of the Quran, began reading, and
SubhanAllah, were guided to the truth.
That's the way of it.
Throwing a rubber ballat the ground
This deen is a clarion call,it is the sunlight through the clouds. It
is manifest truth. As much as the enemies of Allah try to badmouth
Islam, they only serve its cause. As Allah says (paraphrasing) in the
Quran, they desired to extinguish the light of Allah with their
mouths, but Allah will complete His light, though the disbelievers may
detest it.
Someone once said to methat those who try to damage Islam are like
someone throwing a rubber ball down on the ground. The harder they
throw it, trying to smash it, the higher it bounces back in the air.
When I say there's no such thing as bad publicity, that doesn't mean
that I am happy about things like terroristattacks, "honor killings",
female genital mutilationand other bad actions that bring bad
publicity to Islam. I despise those acts and I utterly condemn them,
not only because they damage theimage of Islam and make life harder
for Muslims, but because they are evil in themselves, and they bring
suffering to innocent people.
No, when I say there's no such thing as bad publicity, I am thinking
more of the lies that are told about Islam. Hateful preachers who
insult the Prophet (peace be upon him); or the often-made false claim
that Islam wasspread by the sword; or the bigoted epithets
(like"Islamofascists") that are used to try to discredit Islam in the
eyes of the public. In the end, all these lies will fail, because
truth is clear from falsehood.
Quran 61:8
(8) They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but
Allah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it.
(9) It is He who sent His Messenger with guidanceand the religion of
truth to manifest it over all religion, although those who associate
others with Allah dislike it.
(Umm Muhammad translation)
The enemies of Islam think that Allah's light is like a candle that
can be blown out with the breath from their mouths, by propagating
false rumors and lies about this deen. They might as well try to blow
out the light of the sun. Allah's light is far more powerful even than
that.
Quran is a light
"O humankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord,
and We have sent down to you a clear light."(Quran 4:174)
Allah has manifested His light in the revelation of the Quran. It is
an eternalbook, protected by Allah, unchanged, shedding light like a
lamp that never runs dry. It illuminates the souls of those who read
it and practice it, and so light spreads in the world, purifying it.
That's why the Messengerof Allah (pbuh) said,"The best amongst you are
those who learn the Quran and teach it."[Al-Bukhaari] Because theQuran
is the source of guidance and a light, andby spreading it we ensure
the victory of Islam over oppression, we perpetuate Truth in the
world, and we offer guidance to the lost.
The Quran is also a sourceof internal peace. Recitation and
contemplation of the Quran soothes the heart and carries away the
stresses of life, and it brings one closer to Allah.That's why the
Prophet (pbuh) said,"No people assemble in one of the houses of Allah,
and recite and study the Bookof Allah, except that tranquility
prevails over them, mercy encompasses them, the angels surround them,
and Allah makes a mention of them in the presence of those near
Him."[Muslim]
Wow. SubhanAllah.
So it's not surprising when you hear stories from people who were
non-Muslims; became curious about Islam due to the constant
fear-mongering in the media; decided to pick up a Quran and check it
out for themselves; and found themselves moved,and their hearts
touched,so that they accepted Islam. It's a very common story.
Trust in Allah
I started out by answering the question, "How does Islam continue to
grow in the West in spite of all the negative press and lies?" Now I
want to add a finalmessage for my Muslim readers: Don't despair when
you see the forces of falsehood arrayed in all their power against
Islam. When you read about Muslims being oppressed in Palestine,
Chechnya, East Turkestan (a Muslim province of China) and so many
otherplaces, you should feel pain and sympathy for your brothers and
sisters,but don't let your heart be filled with rage or hatred.
Don't despair! Hatred anddespair are the oppositesof faith; they lead
to corruption and are the fuel that drives evils like terrorism, where
people cast aside the principles of their religion, and allow
themselves to be seduced into blind violence, justifying it to
themselves because they are so angry.
Trust that Allah will perfect His light.Do your part to serve the
cause ofIslam(that is key!), and then trust that Allah will manifest
the Truth over all, no matter who standsagainst it. Trust also that
Allah will guide you, and bring you into the light, and reward you in
this life and the next.
In these next two verses there is a double message, one for the People
of the Book (the Christians and the Jews), calling them to the light
that Allah has revealed; and one to the believers, calling on them to
"pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace…", in other words to seek
Allah's pleasure through compassionate and righteous action on the
paths of peace.
"O People of the Scripture, there has cometo you Our Messenger making
clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and
overlooking much. There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear
Book; By which Allah guides those who pursueHis pleasure to the ways
of peace and brings themout from darknesses into the light, by His
permission, and guides them to a straight path."(Quran 5:15-16)

The Wisdom of the Prophet: the Incident of the Epileptic Woman

There is a hadith narrated by 'Ata bin Abi Rabah:
Ibn 'Abbas once said to me, "Shall I show you a woman of the people of
Paradise?"
I said, "Yes."
He said, "This black lady came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and
said, 'I get attacks of epilepsy and my body becomes uncovered; please
invoke Allah for me.' The Prophet said (to her),'If you wish, be
patient and you will haveParadise; and if you wish,I will invoke Allah
to cure you.'She said, 'I will remain patient,' and added, 'but I
become uncovered, so please invoke Allah for me that I may not become
uncovered.' So he invoked Allah for her." - Bukhari :: Book 7 ::
Volume 70 :: Hadith 555
This hadith was published recently on MuslimasOasis.com, and I was
fascinated by the many comments from readers who have epilepsy and
have been inspired or comforted by this hadith.
One sister wrote:
"(This hadith) was a comfort to me as an epileptic when I had a
seizure outside of a masjid on the pavement in Philadephia during a
busy Jumaah afternoon. When I came to, my niqab was removed, my hijab
loosened, and my husband and a brother were helping the paramedics
that had arrived. Because of this hadith I felt comfort in spite of
being such a spectacle, alhamdulillah."
Another said:
"I too am an epileptic. When I first reverted to Islam over 3 years
ago, one of the sisters who witnessed my Shahada wrote this hadith out
andgave it to me. It is a HUGE comfort to know this. May Allah ease
the trials of all epileptics and thosewho suffer from any disease and
grant us all sabr. Ameen!"
And there were other similar comments, from men and women, ma-sha-Allah.
I don't have epilepsy or any other serious sickeness, Alhamdulillah
(praise God) for all His blessings. But as I read the comments of
people who do have some illnessand have been tremendously comforted by
this hadith, all of a sudden I realized the huge wisdom of the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) in what he said tothe epileptic woman. He could have
simply invoked for her and she would have been cured, and then all of
us 1,400 years later would read the story and say, "Ma-sha-Allah,
another miracle to prove his Prophethood." But it would have no
lasting personal significance.
Instead, by asking the woman to be patient andpromising her Jannah
(Paradise), the Prophet (pbuh) has sent a message of hope down through
the ages to all the other sufferers in the world: Allah sees your
suffering. Your pain will be compensated, and your patience rewarded
with the greatest possible prize.
Even today epilepsy cannot be cured, though it can be controlled
somewhat through medication. So even now, all these years later,in
this age of medical wonders, this hadith still has immediate
significance for people who suffer from this illness, and in fact from
people who suffer from any illness, from cancer to leprosy to bipolar
disorder.
Another point of note is that every Prophet was sent with certain
types ofmiracles appropriate to the understanding of their people.
Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) was sent with the staff of power and
the white hand, because his mission was to a people steeped in
sorcery. "Medical miracles" – curing the sick, even bringing the dead
back to life – were the hallmark of the Prophet Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus
sonof Mary, pbuh), because he was sent to a people who specialized in
healing arts.
If the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had made it his habit to cure the sick,
the Christians might say about us Muslims, "Oh, you are only taking
Biblical stories and applying them to your Prophet."
Instead, though the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) performed his share of
wonders, he wasgiven the greatest miracle of all, the Quran, a living
proof through the millenia, and a sourceof eternal guidance. This is
appropriate because his immediate mission was to a people of poetry,
of language and eloquence; while his greater mission was to allof
humanity.
"Say: 'If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to
produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like of
it, even if they backed up each other with help andsupport.'"(Quran
17:88)
Did the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), a mere shepherd and trader living
almost one and a half thousand years ago in the lonely deserts of
Arabia, realize the lasting significance ofhis actions? Did he
perceive the way his words and deeds would echo down the annals of
history?
Sure he did. He was a man of great wisdom, courage and natural
intelligence. He did not do things randomly, especially in matters of
worship. And he was guided by Allah in these matters, so that his
actions could serve as an example for humanity until the Day of
Resurrection.