Friendship is a vital part of human life, and the Quran provides valuable guidance on what type of companions a Muslim should seek. Quranic verses emphasize the importance of seeking righteousness-based friendships.
Every Muslim is encouraged to select friends who are conscious of Allah (taqwa) and exhibit fearlessness, faith strength, and a deep awareness of Allah.
A verse in the Quran warns against developing close relationships with disbelievers or hypocrites, as such associations may harm and influence spiritual growth. We will discuss all the Quranic verses about friendship to gain valuable insight and understanding.
Quranic Verse About Friendship: Guideline for Selecting Companions
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To select a meaningful and spiritually enriching companionship, the Quran provides the following profound guidance:
- Seeking Friends Who Are Conscious of Allah
- Avoiding Unrighteous Friends
- Avoiding True Friendships With Disbelievers
1. Seeking Friends Who Are Conscious of Allah
The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with friends who are conscious of Allah (taqwa). In Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:67), Allah says:
ٱلْأَخِلَّآءُ يَوْمَئِذٍۭ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ٦٧
“Close friends will be enemies to one another on that Day, except the righteous”
This verse highlights that only friendships based on righteousness and piety for the sake of Allah will endure beyond this world.
Also, the characteristics of true friends are described as those who are fearless, strong in faith, and conscious of Allah. These friends receive the promise of happiness in both this life and the hereafter. This is what Allah says in Surah Yunus (10:62-64):
أَلَآ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ٦٢ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ ٦٣لَهُمُ ٱلْبُشْرَىٰ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ٦٤
“There will certainly be no fear for the close servants of Allah, nor will they grieve. ˹They are˺ those who are faithful and are mindful ˹of Him˺. For them is good news in this worldly life and the Hereafter. There is no change in the promise of Allah. That is ˹truly˺ the ultimate triumph.”
Therefore, we should actively seek friendships with those who prioritize their consciousness of Allah. These friendships provide immense benefit in this world as well as eternal support on the Day of Judgment.
2. Avoiding Unrighteous Friends
Avoiding unrighteous friends is essential for Muslim individuals seeking to establish righteous companionships. The Quran warns against the potential harm of forming relationships with those who may lead one astray or have negative influences.
Surah Al-Furqan (25:28) mentions the regretful state of those who choose to befriend unrighteous individuals:
يَـٰوَيْلَتَىٰ لَيْتَنِى لَمْ أَتَّخِذْ فُلَانًا خَلِيلًۭا ٢٨
“Woe to me! I wish I had never taken so-and-so as a close friend.”
This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of carefully considering the character and righteousness of potential friends.
Also, avoid making friends with hypocrites. In Surah At-Tawbah (9:67), the Quran describes the characteristics of hypocrites:
ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقُونَ وَٱلْمُنَـٰفِقَـٰتُ بَعْضُهُم مِّنۢ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ يَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَقْبِضُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ ۚ نَسُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ هُمُ ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ ٦٧
“The hypocrites, both men and women, are all alike: they encourage what is evil, forbid what is good, and withhold ˹what is in˺ their hands. They neglected Allah, so He neglected them. Surely the hypocrites are the rebellious.”
This verse highlights the deceptive and harmful nature of hypocrites and serves as a warning against befriending them. Instead, we should strive to surround ourselves with friends who encourage good and forbid evil.
3. Avoiding True Friendships With Disbelievers
The Quranic verse from Surah Al-Imran (3:28) guides believers to avoid taking disbelievers as true friends. Allah says in this verse:
لَّا يَتَّخِذِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَيْسَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ فِى شَىْءٍ إِلَّآ أَن تَتَّقُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ تُقَىٰةًۭ ۗ وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسَهُۥ ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ٢٨
“Let not believers take disbelievers as allies [i.e., supporters or protectors] rather than believers. And whoever [of you] does that has nothing [i.e., no association] with Allāh, except when taking precaution against them in prudence. And Allāh warns you of Himself, and to Allāh is the [final] destination.”
In this verse, Allah cautions against forming deep friendships with disbelievers. This is due to the potential influence of these relationships on one’s faith and moral values.
It acknowledges the need for cautionary alliances in certain circumstances, such as for safety purposes. Still, it ultimately discourages close bonds with individuals whose core beliefs are fundamentally at odds with Islam.
The guidance isn’t a reflection of disdain for individuals of other faiths but rather a means of preserving one’s faith and values in the face of diverse influences.
What Kind of Behavior Should Be Exhibited in Friendships?
The Quran imparts wisdom on how friends should behave, providing a comprehensive guide to the qualities and conduct they should exhibit.
1. Guardianship and Support
Believers are expected to demonstrate a collective responsibility in friendships, acting as guardians and providing unwavering support for one another. The Quran verse from Surah At-Tawbah (9:71) highlights the concept of guardianship and mutual responsibility among believers.
Allah says in this verse:
وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ يَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌۭ ٧١
“The believers, both men and women, are guardians of one another. They encourage good and forbid evil, establish prayer and pay alms-tax, and obey Allah and His Messenger. It is they who will be shown Allah’s mercy. Surely Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”
This verse emphasizes the role friends play in ensuring their companions’ well-being and spiritual growth. To be a guardian means to protect and watch over one another, to be a source of strength and encouragement. It entails being there for each other in times of need, offering guidance and support.
2. Mutual Respect and Consideration
Another key aspect of friendship in accordance with the Quran is the practice of showing mutual respect and consideration. The Quran emphasizes the importance of treating friends with kindness and respecting their opinions and feelings.
In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah advises:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌۭ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَآءٌۭ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهُنَّ ۖ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا۟ بِٱلْأَلْقَـٰبِ ۖ بِئْسَ ٱلِٱسْمُ ٱلْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ ٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ ١١
“O believers! Do not let some ˹men˺ ridicule others, they may be better than them, nor let ˹some˺ women ridicule other women, they may be better than them. Do not defame one another, nor call each other by offensive nicknames. How evil it is to act rebelliously after having faith! And whoever does not repent, it is they who are the ˹true˺ wrongdoers.”
This verse highlights the significance of maintaining respectful behavior in friendships and warns against engaging in harmful actions toward one another.
3. Avoiding Backbiting and Gossip
To cultivate healthy and genuine friendships, it’s crucial to avoid engaging in backbiting and gossip, as stated in the Quran. The Quran strongly condemns such behaviors and encourages believers to refrain from speaking ill of each other in their absence.
In Quran 49:12, Allah says:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌۭ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًۭا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ١٢
“O believers! Avoid many suspicions, ˹for˺ indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that! And fear Allah. Surely Allah is ˹the˺ Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.”
4. Forgiveness and Patience
In cultivating healthy and genuine friendships, it’s important to exhibit the behavior of forgiveness and patience, as emphasized in a Quran verse about friendship.
The Quran encourages forgiveness and patience in such situations. Allah says in Surah Ash-Shuraa (42:40):
وَجَزَٰٓؤُا۟ سَيِّئَةٍۢ سَيِّئَةٌۭ مِّثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ٤٠
“The reward of an evil deed is its equivalent. But whoever pardons and seeks reconciliation, then their reward is with Allah. He certainly does not like the wrongdoers.”
In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:153), Allah talks about patience:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ١٥٣
“O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer. Allah is truly with those who are patient.”
These verses emphasize the importance of forgiveness and patience in friendships, as they help maintain harmony and resolve conflicts. By being forgiving and patient, we strengthen our relationships with friends.
Make Friendship According to the Quranic Guidelines
The Quranic verse on friendship serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path to meaningful companionships rooted in righteousness. Quranic teachings emphasize choosing friends who are conscious of Allah, avoiding unrighteous associations, and exercising patience and forgiveness.
These timeless teachings underscore the profound impact of companionships on one’s spiritual journey and overall well-being. By adhering to these principles, believers create bonds that not only enrich their lives in this world but also stand as a source of support on the Day of Judgment.
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Sources:
https://islam4u.pro/blog/friendship-in-the-quran/
https://www.quranreading.com/blog/friendship-according-to-the-quran/
https://www.amaliah.com/post/65724/friendship-in-the-quran-and-sunnah
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