Importance of Good Company

Qualities of a good companion (General + Islam) (REZVAN)

• Intro

• What do you look inside of friends?

• What makes a friend?

• Stories with your bestie or besties

• Much of our lives are spent interacting with family, friends, and co-workers. All of these relationships are based off code of conduct (actions) , and most important of these rules for us Muslims is follow Taqwa

• What is Taqwa?

• Translated as ‘piety’ or ‘God-fearing’ == God consciousness or god cognizant

• If we all try to our best to acquire a higher state of taqwa (aware of our actions) , we popping ( maintain healthy relationships with Allah (SWT and the people around us).

• How Do we do it today?

• Seen today as we like to do things together (Tear ACLs, Play Hoops, Go shopping, or even eating together).

• PRESENCE OF GOOD COMPANY OR GOOD FRIENDS

• Maintaining good company is important in shaping who you are and influences you to choose the good path or bad path (Good people vs Bad people).

• How do i get the good list?

• Begin by looking for good friend.

• - How ?

• - Good friends are those who share with their companions both happiness and sadness.

• - Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "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.

• - Why?

• -Hadrat Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you befriend”. (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi)

• HOW DO WE MAKE FRIENDS

• Give gifts frequently. You don’t need a reason to exchange presents. Surprise your friends and loved ones by doing something nice every so often!

• Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Give gifts and you will love one another." (https://www.sunnah.com/adab/30/57)

• Keep in touch with friends and relatives by visiting or calling to inquire about their well-being. Be there for them, at least by way of moral support during times of hardship.

• “He who visits the sick continues to remain in the fruit garden of Paradise until he returns.” (https://www.sunnah.com/urn/262280)

• Listen to people attentively. Pay attention when someone is speaking to you and make sure you gather the full extent of their message. Give sincere advice that will benefit them

• Abu Hurayra said, "When he faced someone, he faced him completely. When he turned away, he turned away completely. I have never seen anyone like him and I will never see anyone like them." (https://www.sunnah.com/adab/12/18)

• GENERALIZATION

• WE all have different tastes and talents

• BE WHO YOU ARE is the best way of making Friends

• Effects of bad companionship (AISHA)

• Start off with video

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urFhjMdZnWw

• Something they mentioned in the video: Tawba

• Does anyone know what it means?

• It’s defined as repentance of sins

• How do you get to do so many sins in the first place?

• Your friends are the top influence (your family is the top but your friends too)

• Your friends and their actions influence you → peer pressure exists

• There is good and bad peer pressure:

• You start off with something small, like disobeying parents and before you know it its something grand.

• When your friends get away with something, shows that you can try to get away with it too.

• Impact of sins on your character

• More sins you commit, more ‘unislamic’ become or ‘bad’ you become.

• Create an image that you’re gullible, you change based on those you hang around with.

• Similar to perfume: another lecturer described being around someone changes your scent.

• Ask them do they want to be next to someone who smells disgusting?

• Being around bad companions, brings a whole other front or facade of disgusting smell.

• You’re not that bad of a person, but only present yourself as bad

• So that’s an overall view of how you get so many sins and why its so bad for you

• Can’t get away from bad company:

• Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said “Being lonely is better than being in bad company”

• Connecting back to rezvans part- so many benefits of having good comapny. So many disadvantages of having bad company. Some people find a struggle to fit in. Rajaa will expand on finding your group, but being lonely isnt bad.

• It sucks but you aren’t being badly influenced by others

• “Show me your friends and I'll show you your future”

• Connection to Prophet’s life + MSA (RAJAA)

• Brotherhood/Sisterhood

• Once the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was asked, “What person can be the best friend?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) counselled, “He who helps you remember Allah (SWT), and reminds you when you forget Him.” He was further asked, “Who is the best among people?” He replied, “He who, when you look at him, you remember Allah (SWT)”. Such a friend reflects qualities of love, mercy, honesty, patience, optimism, professionalism, and the entire lifestyle taught by Islam.

• His best friends/close circle → Abu Bakr (RA)

• How they met: became neighbors when Prophet SAW married Khadijah

• Similar characteristics: Honest traders who had integrity

• “He had believed as soon as the Prophet had announced his apostleship. They said, "Your friend is saying unbelievable things. He said he went to Jerusalem during the night and ascended to the heavens." Abu Bakr asked, "Is he saying it?" When the reply was "Yes," Abu Bakr said, "If he is saying it, then it's true." He went straight to the Prophet who was describing the Masjid-i Aqsa. When the Prophet completed his words, Abu Bakr exclaimed, "You are telling the truth, Messenger!" And from that day forward Abu Bakr was called "Siddiq" or, in other words, the "very sincere" and "very loyal" one! How could his going to Jerusalem be questioned? Abu Bakr had confirmed his friend on much greater issues. Revelation was coming to him night and day! If he said it, it was true!”

• Abu Bakr known as As-Siddeeq and described as the khaleel of Prophet SAW

• One of first few people who entered Islam + delivered public message

• Story of when Prophet SAW climbed up onto the hill

• Story of when they escaped together for 3 days and nights in a cave

• They had witnessed a truth during the three days and three nights they hid in the cave. They were not alone. The Prophet who always spoke the truth said: "La Tahzen! Innallahe Maana!" Then no one could have touched him. Abu Bakr breathed comfortably. He entered the cave first in case something should happen to the Prophet. He closed the holes in the earth with his garment for fear of their being a snake there. His garment was not enough so he spent the night with his heel closing a hole. Protection continued after the cave.