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In our contemporary society, friends are made at school, at work, in

neighborhoods and even over the Internet. Friends are made and kept
for a variety of reasons. People make friends with others who share
common interests, hobbies, and even vices. The final goal of a
friendship is often simply company, a desire to spend time with
someone, doing something that they both enjoy. A Muslim ought to
choose friends more carefully and critically.

Certainly, Muslims, like everyone else, want friends who share interests
and who are fun to be with. We all enjoy having a picnic with a friend
or going out to dinner with friends, and who wouldn't like to go to a
gathering with some of their best friends? But, that is not only what a
truly Islamic friendship is all about. In fact, an Islamic friendship is not
that simple at all. In Islam, true friendships are bound by brotherhood
and sisterhood, bonds that are stronger than typical friendships. They
are bonds that exist for a much higher reason and with a greater goal.

Muslims make friends knowing that the relationship they will ensue is
an important bond between two people who share mutual goals. Their
friendship is one that exists primarily for the sake of Allaah the
Almighty. The love and camaraderie that is born from such a friendship
is a secondary benefit, for sure.

True Love for the Sake of Allaah

Love for others comes in different forms. Love between a husband and
wife is one type of these forms, all friendship is another form. However,
all forms of fondness that any one person can have for any other
person, for the purpose of this article, will be referred to as love.

Realistically, pure love of another person only for the sake of Allaah is
difficult. Few people can attain such a friendship, which is why Allaah
rewards such an act of faith generously. The Prophet explained,
"Allaah said: those who love one another for My glory will be upon
Minbars of light [high positions], and the Prophets and martyrs will wish
that they had the same." [At-Tirmithi]
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Nevertheless, many of us, in an attempt to reach this high level of

faith, must try to make and build strong friendships that benefit us and
our Ummah. In Islam true friendship is brotherhood or sisterhood- a
bond that is strong and enduring. In this bond, men and women can
find the sweetness of faith as the prophet said: "There are three things
that whoever attains them will find the sweetness of faith: if Allaah and
His Messenger are dearer to him than anyone or anything else; if he
loves a person solely for the sake of Allaah; and if he hates to return to
disbelief after Allaah has rescued him from it, as much as he would
hate to be thrown into the Fire." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

The rewards of loving another for Allaah's sake are consistent with its
importance. Its impact is not singular- it affects the entire society. For
entire society to exist in harmony and peace, its constituents must be
at peace. If we could each want for our friends what we want for
ourselves, the world would be a better place. This is what Islam
ensures. If there is brotherhood and unity among the people, the
society at large will be united.

The Prophet instilled a deep-rooted love in the hearts of the

companions to create a model Islamic society that all Muslims
thereafter can emulate. Prophet Muhammad tried to eliminate hatred,
jealousy and rivalry by inducing brotherhood, a sincere love and
friendship. The Islamic society is ideally built upon the foundation of
brotherhood, as the Prophet advised: "Believers are like a structure,
parts of which support one another. The believers, in their mutual
friendship, mercy and affection, are like one body; if any part of it
complains, the rest of the body will also stay awake in fever." [Al-
Bukhaari and Muslim]

How to Love Someone

Since love among the believers is a condition of faith in Islam, the

peace and harmony that is desired by all can be achieved, as each
individual strives to do good and earn reward. So, what can we do?
How can we be sure that our friendships are for the sake of Allaah?
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Our lives are full of opportunities to increase and improve our

friendships.

First, as with any undertaking, we need to make clear, pure and sincere
intentions. Pertaining to the existing friendships that we already have,
we should make a conscious effort to love our friends for the sake of
Allaah. When we make friends in the future, we should also make
conscious intentions that those new friendships will be for the sake of
Allaah.

After a pure intention, we need sincere actions. The Prophet

recommended a very simple but significant way to help Muslims gain
brotherhood saying: "I swear y the One in Whose hands my soul is, you
will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until
you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something that if you do it,
you will love one another? Spread salaam [greeting one another
saying: As-Salaam Alaykum] amongst yourselves." [Muslim] Greeting
each other frequently and lovingly is the first step to achieving the
ideal brotherhood.

It would seem that greeting another with "As-Salaam Alaykum" is an

easy action. However, given the nature of men and women and our
vulnerability to changing emotions, sometimes these simple words are
hard to utter. In other words, there are times when even this simple
greeting is hard to say to someone with whom we might have argued.
The beauty of Islam is that it is realistic. So, it is allowed for us to take
time to "cool off," but we are not allowed to cut off friendships based
on rash and unreasonable emotions. The Prophet said, "It is not
permissible for a Muslim to be abandon from his brother for more than
three days, both of them turning away from one another when they
meet. The better of them is the one who is first to greet the other." [Al-
Bukhaari and Muslim]

These teachings encourage Muslims to improve themselves, thereby

improving their society. "Do not break off ties with one another, do not
turn away from one another, do not hate one another, and do not envy
one another. Be O slaves of Allaah brothers." [Al-Bukhaari]
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The Prophet's memory and words live in our hearts and minds. Heeding
his advice, we should realize that we are supposed to be brothers or
sisters in Islam because we share a common religion and belief. We are
to be brothers and sisters in our hearts because we share a common
goal-Allaah's pleasure.

___I am really impressed!!!___

___what a beautiful religion Islam is !!!!___