Winter Break and Value of Friendship

Assalamu'alaikum Warrahmah,

Winter break is just a few days away. Well, at least it is in my case. Everyone's got their own plans for the holiday. I also have few. This is basically the layout:

16/12- Go to London. Stay at Brunei Hall. Hoping to meet some old friends as well as meeting new ones.

17/12-21/12-Don't have definite plans during this period.

22-24/12- Manchester. Meet Masrur, Rusdi and Hafiz. Miss them.

27/12-Loughborough. Meet Maziri, Syukri and other friends.

28/12-Back to Bristol.

29/12-07/01-Intensive study. Got exams on 8th.

Yes, most of my plans are meeting friends. Friends are very valuable here (in UK or other places in general). Aside from giving you free accommodation and food (joking), they actually are very influential in shaping what you really are. If you befriend someone bad, then the probability of you becoming a bad person is close to one. And, if you befriend someone good, then the probability of you becoming a good person is also close to one. Forgive the maths, for I am a mathematician.

I remember two beautiful authentic hadiths;

Rasulullah SAW said:

"The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him."

And

"A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look at whom you befriend."

These are the words from the Prophet (SAW) itself. I didn't make those up. So, don't question about them.

Remember, if your friend is a good person and you acknowledge him, then instead mirror yourself. Ask yourself whether you are also a good person. My advice is, never think yourself as a good person. There must be something within yourself that needs improvement. That something might make a difference. I used to have a big ego; advices just didn't work for me. I sometimes missed Solah without feeling guilty, without any fear. Astaghfirullah.

When I was in Ma'had, I saw a friend looking very upset. I asked him,

"Why are you sad?"

He replied,

" I missed my Fajr Prayer. I know it's unintentional but still..."

I said to myself as I was dumbstruck,

"I wished I can be just like you."

And yeah, I mirrored myself; realising my mistakes. Till this day, he's one of my best mates.

I remember someone said,

"A good person is someone who admits he is not good but at the same time, has the commitment and motivation to become a better person. That commitment and motivation can be seen through his actions"

Family and friends are the most influential people in our life. Value them. Remind them. Remember them. Love them. For the sake of Allah Subhanahu Wata'aala.

How I wish I can be to my friends like Sayyidina Abu Bakr R.A. was to Rasulullah SAW.

I conclude my post with another hadith and a verse from the Quran.

The Prophet (SAW) said

"The right of a Muslim upon a Muslim are six"

It was asked,

"What are they?"

He replied,

"When you meet him, salute him
When he calls you, respond to him
When he seeks advice, give him advice
When he sneezes and praises Allah, respond to him
When he falls ill, visit him
When he dies, follow him (the funeral bier)"

(Muslim)

"And hold fast, all of you together to the rope of Allah, and do not separate"
(3:103)

P/S: Dedicated to all my friends.