Nature influences nature, and a person quickly finds themselves on the path their friend desires. The law of contagion applies not only to bodies and objects but also to morals. In fact, one person can influence an entire gathering and bring it under the sway of their thoughts.
Undoubtedly, vices spread more quickly and extensively than virtues. It is often observed that smoking spreads to non-smokers, whereas the opposite rarely occurs.
It is precisely to evaluate these effects and adopt noble morals and honorable habits that the Prophet (PBUH) instructed the selection of good companions, stating: «مَثَلُ الْجَلِيسِ الصَّالِحِ كَمَثَلِ صَاحِبِ المُشكِ إِنْ لَمْ يُصِبْكَ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ أَصَابَكَ مِنْ رِيحِهِ. وَمَثَلُ الْجَلِيسِ السُّوءِ كَمَثَلِ صَاحِبِ الْكِيرِ اِنْ لَمْ يُصِبْكَ مِنْ سَوَادِهِ أَصَابَكَ مِنْ دُخَانِهِ» Translation: “The example of a righteous and virtuous companion is like that of a perfume seller. Even if you do not receive any of the perfume, at the very least, you will enjoy its pleasant fragrance. And the example of a bad companion is like that of a blacksmith’s furnace. Even if its soot does not reach you, its smoke will.”
If the influence of a companion who spends only a few moments or hours with you each day is such, then what about the one who is with you throughout your entire life, in both joy and sorrow?
Undoubtedly, friendship with the pure-hearted and the wise can sometimes elevate a person to the highest peaks, while companionship with foolish and ignorant people can drag one down to the lowest depths.
The Almighty Allah says: «وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿۱﴾ هَذَا بَصَائِرُ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ (۲)» Translation: “The oppressive disbelievers are allies of one another, while Allah is the ally of the righteous. This (Qur’an and Sharia) is a means of insight for people, a source of guidance, and a cause of mercy for those who have certainty.”
Indeed, friendship must be based on the strength of belief and noble conduct. The best people with whom one should maintain companionship, and preserve love and affection for both this world and the Hereafter, are those mentioned in the following narration: «مَنْ عَامَلَ النَّاسَ فَلَمْ يَظْلِمْهُمْ وَحَدَّثَهُمْ فَلَمْ يَكْذِبْهُمْ وَوَعَدَهُمْ فَلَمْ يَخْلُفْهُمْ فَهُوَ مِمَّنْ كَمُلَتْ مُروءَتُهُ وَ ظَهَرَتْ عَدالَتُهُ وَوَجَبَتْ أخُوَّتُهُ» Translation: “Whoever deals with people and does not oppress them, speaks with them and does not lie, and fulfills their promises without breaking them—such a person possesses complete integrity and manifest justice, and their friendship and brotherhood are obligatory.”
Whenever a friendship is formed for the sake of Allah and in His path, it can only last through obedience to Him, and its survival depends on adherence to His commands. If friends are not free from corruption and hypocrisy, such a friendship cannot grow and thrive.
Thus, when sin infiltrates the character and actions of one or both friends, hearts begin to change, and love withers away. It is narrated in a hadith: «وَ الَّذِى نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ مَا تَوادَّ اثْنَانِ فَيُفْرَقُ بَيْنَهُما إِلَّا بِذَنْبٍ يُحْدِثُهُ أَحَدُهُما» Translation: “By the One in whose hand is my soul, the bonds between friends who love each other for Allah’s sake are only severed due to a sin committed by one of them.”
For this reason, the Sahaba of the Prophet (PBUH) regarded advising one another towards truth and cooperating in goodness as essential for preserving their love and affection. They saw it as a means of drawing closer to Allah and attaining His pleasure.
It is narrated from Abu Qilabah that two men met in the marketplace, and one said to the other, “Let us seek forgiveness from Allah in this place where people are heedless.” They did so, and later, one of them passed away. The other saw him in a dream and asked, “Do you know that Allah forgave us because of that night when we met in the marketplace?”
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that whenever Abdullah ibn Rawahah (may Allah be pleased with him) met one of the Prophet’s Sahaba, he would say, “Come, let us spend some moments in the remembrance of Allah.” One day, he expressed this to someone who became upset and went to the Prophet (PBUH), complaining, “Do you know that Ibn Rawahah calls us to faith and remembrance just as one would on the Day of Judgment?” The Prophet (PBUH) responded, “May Allah have mercy on Ibn Rawahah, for he loves gatherings that the angels take pride in,” referring to gatherings of remembrance.
Friends should know each other well so that their bond remains meaningful. They should express their respect, honor, and love for one another. The Prophet (PBUH) said: «إِذَا أَحَبَّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَخَاهُ فَلْيُخْبِرْهُ أَنَّهُ يُحِبُّهُ» Translation: “If any of you loves his brother in religion, let him tell him that he loves him.”
