Da‘wah to friends

QUESTION:

I have my best friend and he has bad friends who do sin. I tell him that he shouldn’t hang around them cause they are bad influences but whenever I do he gets angry at me because he loves those friends. What do to? Just be patient?

ANSWER:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

May Allah reward you tremendously for having concern for your friend. Āmeen.

Islām lays great importance on good environment, including pious company. It is upon us that we not only keep good friends but are also good companions. It is from the rights of companionship that we assist each other in doing good and encourage each other to abstain from harm. The Prophet (peace ben upon him) mentioned,

الْـمُؤْمِنُ مِرْآةُ أَخِيهِ

“A believer is a mirror for his brother”. (Sunan Abī Dawūd) [1]

Hadhrat Mawlana Khalīl Ahmed Sahāranpūrī (may Allah have mercy upon him) mentions,

فكذا المؤمن للمؤمن كالمرآة فيزيل ما فيه من العيوب بإعلامه وينبه عليه

“Likewise, the believer for another believer is like a mirror – so, he [endeavours to] remove the deficiencies found in him by informing and cautioning him of them.” (al-Bathl al-Majhūd: 13:325)

The influence and effect of friends is undeniable, be it good or bad, intentional or unintentional, voluntary or involuntary. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith’s bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof.”(Sahih ‘l-Bukhari) [2]

In order to protect your friend and distance him from bad company, you may adopt the following ways:

• Explain to him the nature of, including the negative implications and consequences of, bad friends. Allah Ta’ālā states, “[Bad] Friends, on that day, will become enemies to one another, except the God-fearing.” (43:63). [3] The individual who fostered friendship with bad friends, and was thereby negatively influenced, will exclaim on the Day of Judgement, “Woe is me! If only I had not taken so and so as a friend”. (25:27) [4]
• Make constant supplications (du’ā) for him, for verily, “Du’ā is the weapon a believer.” [5]
• Remember that true guidance comes only from Allah alone. Never lose faith in Him – Allah changes the state of the hearts and guides whoever He wishes. 
• Talk to him with softness and kindness in approach. Allah Ta’ālā states, “Invite (people) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good advice. And debate with them in the best of manners. Surely, your Lord knows best the one who deviates from His way, and He knows best the ones who are on the right path.” (16:125) [6]
• It may be that your friend is unable to distance himself from such companionship due to some unknown reasons. As such, try to understand him and be the pillar of support he requires; he may need your help and friendship to keep him steadfast on Islām. Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Make things easy and do not make them difficult; gladden and do not scare; comply with one another and do not disagree.” (Bukhari and Muslim) [7]
• If you believe that this relationship may result in weakening you in your religion and religious duties, then you may reconsider your relationship with him. The Prophet (peace be upon him), “A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.” (Sunan t-Tirmidhi)

And Allah Ta’ālā Knows Best

Luqmaan Mohamed

Concurred by: Hanif Yusuf

Posted in MiscelleaneousDaily MattersSocial ConductAadaab (Ettiquettes & Manners) on 20th Dec 2021 by Our Imam | 851 Views