[2] [1] Bihar al-Anwar, Vol.

[2] [1] Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 74, Page 178. [2] Usool al-Kafi, Vol. 72, Page 375. Hazrat Ali says: The most fortunate are those who have connections with good people. [1] This is the reason the Religion of Islam exhorts its peoples to abstain from bad company. Hazrat Ali said: Avoid making friendship with transgressors and sinning persons because evil creates evil. [2] Imam Zain al-Abedeen told his son, Imam Mohammed Baqir: O My son!

Avoid acquaintance of five type of persons: Dont be friends with a liar. He will be like a mirage. He will trick you. When a thing is far, he will say it is near; and when it is at hand, he will say that it is very far. Dont make a transgressor and sinner your friend because he might sell you for as low a price. Dont make a parsimonious and stingy person your friend who may not help you in times of need. Dont make a stupid person your friend, lest he bring harm to you with his stupidity.

It is possible that with all good intentions, he might bring harm to you with his foolish actions. Dont be friend with those who deprive their kin of [1] Ghurar al-Hikam, Page 189. [2] Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 74, Page 199. their rights. Such persons are shorn of Allah's Blessings and are accursed people. [1] Responsible and thoughtful parents will not be totally unconcerned with the type of friends their children cultivate.

While the parents must know the type of friends a child has, they should not appear to be interfering in their personal matters. If the parents can provide a good friend to their child, they have made a great contribution to his virtuous future. But this is not such an easy task. The best way is to acquaint the child with what is good, and what is not, when he comes to the age of understanding. They should explain to the child the defects that might be there in undesirable friends.

The parents must keep a subtle watch over the activities of the child and his friends from a distance. If they find that the friends are good, they must appreciate them. They should create opportunities for the child to meet such friends. But if they notice that the child has picked up an undesirable acquaintance, then they should discreetly try to cut this friendship short. If the child persists in such friendship, deal with the matter strictly.

The parents can help the child in making good friends by another method. They should pick children in their neighborhood with good behavior, character and background.