ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Culture and Religious Studies Book -4 Lesson 11 : Friendship One of the emotional needs of a human being is that of companionship or friendship. A friend is a person with whom you have a strong bond based on love. Two good friends become pillars of support for each other, helping each other, sharing problems and providing sympathy, understanding and affection for each other. They become assets in the each other's lives.

Without friends, a human being is destined to live a life of solitude. Emptiness fills the heart of such a person and he finds himself alone in times of need. The emotional burden involved is great and is recognized as pitiful by all people. Islam as a complete code of life, recognizes this need for friends and encourages it followers to not only maintain cordial relations with all people but to also seek and develop constructive friendships with those who connect with us on an emotional level.

Friendships should be developed from childhood and youth. A friend influences you in many ways and therefore the kind of company you keep is extremely important. You will have realized that friend is someone special on whom you have a deeper trust then your other acquaintances. Friends tend to share ideas, opinions, likes and dislikes. They enjoy and prefer each other's company above all else, and as their friendship grows, so does their respect and love for each other.

Because of this strong emotional attachment, a friend may also influence and sway the opinions or decisions that the other makes. People have made decisions that affect their entire lives based on the advice of a friend and it is for this reason that Islam tell us to be careful in our choice of companions. It best to have friends who think like you and who possess good qualities that you can hope to adopt from them.

If you choose a pious and principled friend, chances are that he or she will give you good advice when you are confused and prevent you from making hasty decisions that you may later regret.

Imam Ali (a.s.) has said: "Avoid friendship with bad (character) people because you will be affected by them although you may be influenced without your knowledge." Once you have bonded with a person, it is difficult to realize their faults and chance are that even if someone points them out to you, you will deny it.