A Lesson in Love and Brotherhood
Friendship holds great importance in Islam, as it forms the foundation of strong, supportive, and meaningful relationships. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) provided several teachings on how to choose friends wisely, maintain good relationships, and support others selflessly. In this article, we will explore various Hadiths about friendship, including their significance, and provide a comprehensive understanding in both English and Urdu, along with references to help you reflect on their lessons.
Nurturing Relations with Your Father’s Friends
Hadith in English
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said
“Among the most dutiful of deeds is that a man nurtures relations with the people his father was friends with.”
[Tirmidhi]
Hadith in Urdu
نبی اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا
“سب سے اچھے اعمال میں سے ایک یہ ہے کہ ایک آدمی اپنے والد کے دوستوں کے ساتھ تعلقات قائم رکھے۔”
[ترمذی]
Hadith in Arabic
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
“إِنَّ مِنْ أَبَرِّ الْبِرِّ صِلَةُ الرَّجُلِ أَهْلَ وُدِّ أَبِيهِ.”
[ترمذي]
Importance of This Hadith
This Hadith highlights the significance of maintaining relationships, even with people who were close to our parents. By nurturing these bonds, we not only honor our parents but also strengthen the ties of friendship that benefit society as a whole. This simple yet profound act is seen as one of the most dutiful actions a person can perform.
The Jealousy of Aisha (RA)
Hadith in English
Aisha (ra) said:
“I never felt so jealous of any woman as I did of Khadija, though she had died three years before the Prophet married me, and that was because I heard him mentioning her too often and because his Lord had ordered him to give her the glad tidings that she would have a palace in Paradise, made of Qasab and because he used to slaughter a sheep and distribute its meat among her friends.”
[Bukhari]
Hadith in Urdu
حضرت عائشہ رضی اللہ عنہا نے کہا:
“مجھے کسی عورت سے اتنی حسد نہیں ہوئی جتنی حضرت خدیجہ سے ہوئی، حالانکہ وہ نبی اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم سے شادی سے تین سال پہلے فوت ہو چکی تھیں، کیونکہ نبی اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم اکثر ان کا ذکر کرتے تھے اور اللہ نے انہیں جنت میں ایک محل کی خوشخبری دی تھی۔”
[بخاری]
Hadith in Arabic
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ:
“مَا غِرْتُ عَلَى امْرَأَةٍ مَا غِرْتُ عَلَى خَدِيجَةَ، وَلَقَدْ هَلَكَتْ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَنِي بِثَلَاثِ سِنِينَ.”
[بخاري]
Key Lesson From This Hadith
This Hadith reveals how much the Prophet valued his friendships. Despite Khadija (RA) having passed away, the Prophet (ﷺ) continued to honour her memory by maintaining strong ties with her friends. It reminds us of the importance of loyalty and the deep emotional connections that can endure even after someone is no longer with us.
Befriending People with Piety
Hadith in English
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Do not accompany except a believer, and do not serve your food except to one with Taqwa.”
[Tirmidhi]
Hadith in Urdu
نبی اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا
“ایسے شخص کے ساتھ دوستی نہ کرو مگر جو مومن ہو، اور کھانا بھی اس کو کھلاؤ جو تقویٰ رکھتا ہو۔”
[ترمذی]
Hadith in Arabic
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
“لَا تُصَاحِبْ إِلَّا مُؤْمِنًا، وَلَا يَأْكُلْ طَعَامَكَ إِلَّا تَقِيٌّ.”
[ترمذي]
Lessons on Friendship and Piety
This Hadith teaches us that the people we surround ourselves with have a profound impact on our character and faith. By befriending those who possess piety (Taqwa), we ensure that our relationships are based on goodness and mutual respect for Allah’s commands. It is a powerful reminder to choose friends who encourage us toward righteousness.
The Influence of Friendship
Hadith in English
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend.”
[Abu Dawud]
Hadith in Urdu
نبی اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا
“آدمی اپنے دوست کے دین پر ہوتا ہے؛ اس لیے ہر شخص کو غور کرنا چاہیے کہ وہ کس کو اپنا دوست بنا رہا ہے۔”
[ابو داود]
Hadith in Arabic
قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
“الرَّجُلُ عَلَى دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ، فَلْيَنْظُرْ أَحَدُكُمْ مَنْ يُخَالِلُ.”
[أبو داود]
The Impact of Companionship
This Hadith emphasizes that friends influence our behaviour, thoughts, and even our beliefs. Therefore, it is essential to be mindful of the kind of people we allow into our lives. Our friends can either elevate us spiritually or lead us astray, which is why this advice is so important.
Treating Neighbors Kindly
Hadith in English
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Jibreel continued to recommend me about treating the neighbours kindly and politely so much so that I thought he would order me to make them as my heirs.”
[Bukhari]
Hadith in Urdu
نبی اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا:
“جبریل مجھے مسلسل پڑوسیوں کے ساتھ حسن سلوک کرنے کی تاکید کرتے رہے یہاں تک کہ میں نے سوچا کہ وہ انہیں میرے وارث بنانے کا حکم دیں گے۔”
[بخاری]
Hadith in Arabic
قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
“مَا زَالَ جِبْرِيلُ يُوصِينِي بِالْجَارِ حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ سَيُوَرِّثُهُ.”
[بخاري]
The Importance of Neighborly Bonds:
This Hadith showcases the high regard Islam places on treating neighbours with kindness. Building strong ties with those close to us fosters community, support, and peace. These relationships contribute to a harmonious society, which is the essence of Islamic teachings on brotherhood and friendship.
The Essence of Friendship in Islam
Friendship in Islam is built on love, loyalty, and mutual respect, centring around pleasing Allah. From maintaining ties with our parents’ friends to choosing companions who inspire us to be better, the Hadiths provide clear guidance on how to build meaningful relationships. These teachings remind us that true friendship goes beyond worldly connections and extends to building each other up in faith and righteousness.