Fatwa ID: 01888

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

Friendship in Islam

Answer:

It is important to have good friends.  Befriending righteous and virtuous Muslims is an imperative way of staying on the straight path.

The Prophet of Allah has said, “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you befriend.”   (Sunan Abi Dawud & Sunan Tirmizi)

We should endeavour to stay away from those who are misguided or evil.  Otherwise we may get caught in their evil, which may take us away from the straight path.

In another hadith, the Prophet of Allah  said, “The example of a good companion and a bad companion is that of a seller of musk and one who blows the blacksmiths bellows.  So as for the seller of musk, then either he will grant you some or you will buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him.  As for the one who blows the blacksmiths bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him.”   (Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

With regards to your question, there is no need for you to get upset at this particular situation. These friends did not care for you when you needed their advice and it is good to limit the amount of time you hang around with them. However, it should be borne in mind that you do not sever any contacts or relationship with them. This is because of a hadith in where Saaiduna Anas Ibn Malik narrates that the Prophet of Allah said “Do not hate one another, nor be jealous of one another; and do not desert one another, but O Servants of Allah! Be Brothers.  And it is unlawful for a Muslim to sever relationships with his (Muslim) brother for more than three nights”.  (Sahih Bukhari)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.