Muslim Friendship Circle – Recently, there have been a lot of tweets about “circle” on social media timelines. Ranging from serious to just joking. But before discussing circulars further, we need to know first, what is circular?
What is a circle of friendship in Islam?
The circle comes from the English word circle which means circle. The circle referred to in this context is a circle/group of friends or associations.
In general, the circle of friendship was initially broad, especially when we were still in school. Then indirectly it will slowly shrink as we get older. People who enter our circle of friends are usually people who chat “connect” with us.
The Influence of Muslim Friendship on Our Lives
After we know the meaning of the circle, next we find out what effect the circle of friendship has on our lives?
It was narrated from Abu Musa radhiyallahu ‘anhu, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
مَثَلُ الْجَلِيسِ الصَّالِحِ وَالْجَلِيسِ السَّوْءِ كَمَثَلِ صَاحِبِ الْمِسْكِ وَكِيرِ الْحَدَّادِ ، لاَ يَعْدَمُكَ مِنْ صَاحِبِ الْمِسْكِ إِمَّا تَشْتَرِيهِ أَوْ تَجِدُ رِيحَهُ ، وَكِيرُ الْحَدَّادِ يُحْرِقُ بَدَنَكَ أَوْ ثَوْبَكَ أَوْ تَجِدُ مِنْهُ رِيحًا خَبِيثَةً
“A person who sits (friends) with a righteous person and an ugly person is like making friends with a perfume owner and a blacksmith. The possessor of perfume will not harm you; you can buy (perfume) from him or at least you get the smell. As for making friends with blacksmiths, if you don’t find your body or clothes burned, at least you get a bad smell.” (Narrated by Bukhari)
The hadith above states that both good friends (shalih) and bad friends both influence our lives.
Everyone is more or less influenced by their circle of friends because of the frequent gatherings or activities together. The circle of friendships—both in the work environment, education, community, and so on—can have an impact on individuals both from perspective, tastes, changes in behavior, and lifestyle.
Read also : prayer to visit a sick friend
This is in line with the hadith narrated by Abu Dawud,
From Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu ‘anhu, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
الْمَرْءُ عَلَى دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ أَحَدُكُمْ مَنْ يُخَالِلُ
“One will match the habits of one’s best friend. Therefore, pay attention to who will be your best friend.” (Narrated by Abu Daud, Tirmidhi, and Ahmad. Al-Hafizh Abu Tahir said that this hadith is authentic)
Choosing a Better Circle of Friends in Islam
Making a friendship is something good. Leaving or breaking friendships suddenly is not easy, it can even bring harm, and lead to hostility.
Instead of breaking or leaving the circle of friends that have been established so far, we have a choice, which is to include better people in our circle of friends.
There are several ways to include good/pious people into our circle of friends, one of which is to come to the knowledge assembly.
Science Council
A knowledge assembly is a gathering place for people who, God willing, have the same goal, namely: seeking knowledge and trying to improve themselves.
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِي اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِذَا مَرَرْتُمْ بِرِيَاضِ الْجَنَّةِ فَارْتَعُوا قَالُوا وَمَا رِيَاضُ الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ حِلَقُ الذِّكْرِ
From Anas bin Malik radhiyallahu ‘anhu, the Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam said, “If you pass through the gardens of paradise, then stop with pleasure.” Friends asked: “What are the gardens of heaven?” He replied, “Halaqah-halaqah (groups) of dhikr.” (HR. Tirmidhi)
By coming and joining the scientific assembly, at least we can meet and befriend good people, who can remind us when we do something wrong—not who justify our every mistake—so that later we can become better people. Especially in an era where many people have started not caring about the limits of halal and haram in daily muamalah.
In addition, we can also invite other friends to join the knowledge assembly that we follow so that more good people will be in our circle of friends. Remember a saying in Arabic,
الصَّاحِبُ سَاحِبٌ
“The name of a friend can attract (influence).”
