The importance of having a good friend

 

Every Muslim needs a helpful, loving brother --- to turn to, to share joys and hardships with, and to reciprocate affection.

 

(And appoint for me a helper from my family: Haroon [Aaron], my brother Increase my strength with him, and let him share my task [of conveying Allah is Message and Prophethood]. That we may glorify you mach, and remember you much.)                           (Qur'an 20: 29-34)

 

(They are but Awliya [friends, protectors, helpers, etc.] to one another)

(Qur'an 5: 51)

 

(Verily, Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in rows [ranks] as if they were a solid structure.)  (Qur'an 61: 4)

 

(And He has united their [i.e. believers'] hearts.)    (Qur'an 8: 63)

 

(The believers are nothing else than brothers [in Islamic religion].)   (Quran 49: I0)

 

The topic we are now discussing is pertinent to the subject matter of this book because having a good and worthy companion brings joy to the heart. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) related that Allah, said:

 

"Where are the ones who love each other because of My Exaltedness (i.e. who love each other for the sake of Allah)? Today l will provide shade for them in my shade --- a day wherein there is no shade except for my shade."

 

In Islam, security is a must

 

(…..for them [only] there is security and they are the guided.)

(Qur'an 6: 82)

 

([He] who has fed them against hunger; and has made them safe from fear) 

(Qur'an 106: 4)

 

(Have We not established for them a secure sanctuary [Makkah]... )

(Qur'an 28: 57)

 

(…..whosoever enters it, he attains security.)       (Qur'an 3: 97)

 

(...then grant him protections.)                   (Quran 9: 6)

 

The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:

"Whoever spends his night safely in his home, with a healthy body and enough provision for his day, it is as if he has gained the world in its entirety.'‌

 

Security of the heart is the faith and sureness of knowing the truth. Security of the home is its freedom from shame and deviation and its being replete with tranquility and Divine guidance. Security of our nation is its being united with love, being founded upon justice, and in its application of the Shari'ah. And fear is the enemy of security:

 

(So he escaped from there, looking about in a state of fear)

(Qur'an 28: 21)

 

(….so fear them not, but fear Me)              (Quran 5: 3)

 

Based on the abovementioned categories of security, there is no true peace and security for the frightened one or for the disbeliever.

 

By Allah, how pitiable is the life of this world! lf you are prosperous in one facet of your life, you are sure to be miserable in another. lf wealth comes on one hand, sickness arrives on the other. Lf your body is healthy, some other form of difficulty will arise. And when everything seems to be going well and you finally feel a sense of stability, you are ready to be put into a coffin.

 

A poet, named Al-A'shaa from Najd, was heading toward the Prophet (bpuh) to laud him in verses of poetry and to accept Islam. Abu Sufyan met him on his way and offered him one hundred camels to desist from continuing on his mission and to go back home. He accepted the offer and set off with the camels. To make the return journey, he mounted one of the camels, but it soon turned wild and threw him off, causing him to land on his head, and upon impact, his neck snapped and he died. He parted from this world without having achieved either religious or worldly gain.