The Importance of Friendship in Islam: A Spiritual Connection

Friendship is one of the most significant and rewarding relationships in a person’s life.

In an Islamic perspective, friendship holds a special place.

Friendship in Islam is not just about personal benefit or worldly enjoyment; it is a spiritual connection aimed at uplifting one another towards righteousness. Such friendships are grounded in love for Allah, mutual respect, and the shared goal of achieving success in both this life and the Hereafter.

Let us see what kind of friendship Islam invites us to,

Friendships for the Sake of Allah: Lasting Rewards in the Hereafter

In Surah Zukhruf, Allah has stated that,

“Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous.”

This verse teaches that friendships which are made for the benefit and pleasure of this world will not work in the Hereafter, but the only friendships formed for the sake of Allah and based on mutual guidance towards goodness will endure and be rewarded. This ayah encourages Muslims to surround themselves with companions who strengthen their faith and remind them of Allah. Only this type of friendship in Islam holds eternal value.

And that type of friendship which is based on mutual love for Allah brings immense blessings.

The Prophet’s Teachings on Sincere Friendships

In Riyad al-Sal

ihin (hadith book), Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“There are seven whom Allah will shade on the Day of Resurrection… [among them] two men who love each other for the sake of Allah, meeting for that and parting upon that.” Glory be to Allah.

This highlights the spiritual rewards of having sincere and faith-based friendships.

Islam also commands us to check their characters as well because,

And in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim, it has been narrated that:

“A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.”

The Role of Friendship in Strengthening Faith and Character

These following are some of the characteristics to look for in a friend:

• Intelligence
• Faith
• Honesty
• Uprightness and good mannerisms

If your friend has these qualities, then your religion will get strength through him, and this is good for your faith too.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows. As for the seller of musk, he will either grant you some, you will buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows, he will either burn your clothes, or you will get an unpleasant smell from him.”

There is an Arabic proverb saying that companionship has an effect, so every Muslim has the responsibility to choose your gatherings with good people.

“The Prophet peace be upon him said, ‘The best gathering is one where people inspire each other to remember Allah, increase their knowledge, and are reminded of the Hereafter by their good deeds.'”

In Islam, Friday is the day of gathering, and the most important prayer of the week is the “Jumah” prayer.

So all of us must refrain from paying Fridays with five times daily Salah in a day.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When a group of people assemble for the remembrance of Allah, the angels surround them (with their wings), (Allah’s) mercy envelops them, Sakinah, or tranquility descends upon them, and Allah makes a mention of them before those who are near Him.” [Muslim].

Glory to be Allah.

This hadith emphasizes the value of Zikr gatherings. Those people will get highly rewarded. We should also arrange those types of gatherings in our homes at further events.

Now see what reward Allah gives you for it in the Hereafter.

This Hadith highlights the spiritual significance of friendships based on love for Allah.

In Tirmidhi, Mujahid ibn Jabr reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When one of you loves your brother for the sake of Allah, let him tell him, for through it, friendship will endure, and affection will take root.”

In Musnad Ahmed,

Sahl ibn Sa’d reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The believer is friendly, for there is no good in one who is not friendly or befriended.”

Narrated from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him:

“A man visited a brother of his in another town, and Allah sent an angel to wait for him on the road. When he came to him, he said: ‘Where are you headed?’ He said: ‘I am headed to a brother of mine in this town.’ He said: ‘Have you done him any favor for which you hope to be recompensed?’ He said: ‘No, but I love him for the sake of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted.’ He said: ‘I am a messenger from Allah to you, to tell you that Allah loves you as you love him for His sake.” (Sahih Muslim)

That narated in sahi muslim;

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Allah will say on the Day of Judgment: ‘Where are those who loved each other for My glory? Today I will shelter them in My shade, on a day when there is no shade but Mine.’”

Mujahid bin Jabr (RA) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“When one of you loves his brother for the sake of Allah, let him inform him, for it strengthens affection and solidifies the bond of love.”
(Kitab Al-Ikhwan by Ibn Abi Dunya,)

Guiding Non-Muslims with Kindness and Love for Allah

“Often, parents in Western countries are concerned when their children socialize and form friendships with non-Muslims. However, remember that Islam does not prohibit interaction with non-Muslims, as Allah says: ‘O mankind, indeed, We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.’ This verse teaches us that Muslims should treat people from different religions and cultures with kindness.”

“A Jewish boy used to serve the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and he fell ill. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, went to visit him. He sat by his head and said, ‘Become a Muslim.’ The boy looked at his father, who was also by his head, and his father said to him, ‘Obey Abu al-Qasim.’ So, he became a Muslim, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘Praise be to Allah who has saved him from the Fire.'” (Sahih Bukhari)

It is evident from the hadith that treating non-Muslims well is a means of guiding them towards Islam. While safeguarding one’s beliefs, treat non-Muslim friends kindly so that they may become a means of salvation for them. However, as far as deep friendship is concerned, a Muslim should make only a Muslim his friend and encourage each other to act upon Islam, so that both can remain together in Paradise. As mentioned in the hadith, do not make a non-Muslim your friend, but make a believer your friend

Glory to be Allah

How Allah is kind to us Who rewards us for even the smallest actions at our pleasure, desires, and will.

May Allah guide us to follow the straight path and to make good friends. May Allah give us the ability to keep learning the commands of the Qur’an. So be it.