العِشْرَةُ الحَسَنَةُ... عِبَادَةٌ وَأَثَرٌ :اچھی رفاقت... Good Companionship... An Act of Worship and Its Impact

أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of ALLAH, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

العِشْرَةُ الحَسَنَةُ... عِبَادَةٌ وَأَثَرٌ : Good Companionship... An Act of Worship and Its Impact.

Praise be to Allah, Who made moral character a safeguard protecting societies from strife and discord, and Who commanded His believing servants to treat others well. We bear witness that there is no deity but Allah alone, with no partner, and we bear witness that our master and Prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the servant of Allah and His Messenger—the best of people in character and the most noble in his dealings with others. May the peace, blessings, and grace of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions, and those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment. This is the recited verse from Surah Al Tawba and its translation:

أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فاعوذ باللہ من الشیطان الرجیم- بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَكُوۡنُوۡا مَعَ الصّٰدِقِيۡنَ

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allâh, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds).

Surah Al Tawba – 119

O servants of ALLAH: Fear ALLAH and Adopt piety and obey ALLAH. Allah the Almighty says in Surah Al Ahzab:

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَقُوۡلُوۡا قَوۡلًا سَدِيۡدًا ۙ‏﴿۷۰﴾ يُّصۡلِحۡ لَـكُمۡ اَعۡمَالَـكُمۡ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَـكُمۡ ذُنُوۡبَكُمۡؕ وَمَنۡ يُّطِعِ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ فَقَدۡ فَازَ فَوۡزًا عَظِيۡمًا

O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. (70) He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger (SAW) he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and will be admitted to Paradise).

Surah Al Ahzab – 70-71

O believers: Lifestyles have changed, and with them, the ways in which people communicate and meet. Gatherings that once brought people together for conversation and connection are now frequently dominated by phone screens; while communication tools have bridged the gap between those far apart, at times they have distracted those close to one another from the very people beside them. Amidst this transformation, our need for proper social etiquette and good conduct grows ever greater; for these are rooted in Islamic guidance and constitute an act of worship through which a Muslim draws closer to their Lord. Indeed, Allah the Almighty states in Surah Al Hujraat that mutual acquaintance among people is one of the underlying reasons for their diversity into nations and tribes, saying:

يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنَّا خَلَقۡنٰكُمۡ مِّنۡ ذَكَرٍ وَّاُنۡثٰى وَجَعَلۡنٰكُمۡ شُعُوۡبًا وَّقَبَآٮِٕلَ لِتَعَارَفُوۡا‌ ؕ اِنَّ اَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِنۡدَ اللّٰهِ اَ تۡقٰٮكُمۡ‌ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِيۡمٌ خَبِيۡـرٌ

O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2). Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware.

Surah Al Hujraat – 13

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The believer who mingles with people and patiently endures their harm is better than the believer who does not mingle with people and does not patiently endure their harm."

O Muslims: The Quran and the Sunnah have established for us refined principles regarding human relationships—principles that transform the concept of good social conduct into a practical reality in our lives. Among these principles is what we might term the "safe distance" in relationships: a boundary that preserves an individual's privacy and safeguards the relationship against intrusive interference in matters that do not concern the other party. With the flood of information that has made accessing the details of people's lives an easy matter, our need for this refined Quranic etiquette grows; for Allah the Almighty has forbidden harboring ill thoughts and spying, saying in Surah Al Hujraat:

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اجۡتَنِبُوۡا كَثِيۡرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ اِنَّ بَعۡضَ الظَّنِّ اِثۡمٌ‌ وَّلَا تَجَسَّسُوۡا وَلَا يَغۡتَبْ بَّعۡضُكُمۡ بَعۡضًا‌

O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another.

Surah Al Hujraat – 12-Part

Part of maintaining good relations is overlooking unintentional slips and refraining from reading unintended meanings into the words and actions of others, or scrutinizing their hidden intentions and motives. How many relationships have been ruined by suspicion and the tendency to dwell on others' faults? And how many bonds of affection have been preserved through the act of overlooking such matters and maintaining a favorable opinion of others? ALLAH Almighty says in Surah Ash Shura:

فَمَنۡ عَفَا وَاَصۡلَحَ فَاَجۡرُهٗ عَلَى اللّٰهِ‌ؕ اِنَّهٗ لَا يُحِبُّ الظّٰلِمِيۡنَ‏

but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allâh. Verily, He likes not the Zâlimûn (oppressors, polytheists, and wrong-doers)

Surah Ash Shura – 40-Part

As for the second principle, O servants of Allah, it is for a person to leave a positive impact on those around them through kind speech, gentleness of manner, and gracious conduct. Allah the Almighty has commanded this, saying in Surah Al Baqara:

وَقُوۡلُوۡا لِلنَّاسِ حُسۡنًا

and speak good to people [i.e. enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, and say the truth about Muhammad Peace be upon him ]

Surah Al Baqara – 83-Part

A Muslim should strive to ensure that their presence is pleasant and agreeable to others, and that their speech fosters harmony—avoiding excessive criticism or harshness of tongue. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Make things easy and do not make them difficult; bring good tidings and do not drive people away." Part of good companionship is that people find comfort and safety from harm in your company; this is achieved by listening well, accepting excuses, showing kindness to the weak, comforting those in need, and choosing the kindest words. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was the supreme example of excellent conduct in dealing with others, combining gentleness of manner with careful control of his speech. Once, Seyyedah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was surprised to see him speaking kindly to someone who had previously wronged the Muslims; he said to her: "O Aisha, when have you ever known me to use foul language? Indeed, the person with the worst status before Allah on the Day of Resurrection is the one whom people avoid to escape his harm."

So fear Allah, O servants of Allah, and know that fearing Allah has an impact that manifests in your dealings—in your marketplaces and your homes, with your neighbors, and on the streets. Allah the Almighty says in Surah Al Anfal:

فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَاَصۡلِحُوۡا ذَاتَ بَيۡنِكُمۡ‌ وَاَطِيۡعُوا اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗۤ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِيۡنَ

So fear Allâh and adjust all matters of difference among you, and obey Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), if you are believers.

Surah Al Anfal – 01-Part

أقولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُالرَّحِيمُ، وَادْعُوهُ يَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ البَرُّ الكَرِيمُ

I say what you hear, and I ask forgiveness from ALLAH Almighty for me and for you, so ask forgiveness from Him and He will forgive you, for He is the Forgiving and Merciful, and pray to Him and He will answer you, for He is The noble righteousness

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ غَافِرِ الذَّنْبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، خَيْرُ النَّاسِ لِلْبَعِيدِ وَالْقَرِيبِ، صَلَّى اللَّهُ وَسَلَّمَ وَبَارَكَ عَلَيْهِ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ أَهْلِ الْأَخْلَاقِ وَالتَّهْذِيبِ

Praise be to Allah, the Forgiver of sin and the Accepter of repentance. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the Messenger of Allah—the best of people to both the distant and the near. May Allah send blessings, peace, and grace upon him, and upon his family and companions—people of noble character and refinement.

To proceed: Fear Allah, O servants of Allah, and know that one of the beauties of this religion is that it establishes noble character as a way of life for the Muslim—a practice woven into the very details of his daily existence. Indeed, those most deserving of his kind treatment are the ones closest to him: his parents, his family, and his children. It does not befit a Muslim to greet people with a cheerful face and pleasant words, only to be sullen at home or harsh with his family. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best of you is the best to his family." Therefore, let your family receive the greatest share of your cheerfulness, gentle speech, and patience; for they are the people most deserving of your good companionship. Good conduct then extends to those around you: you honor your appointments, greet your colleagues cheerfully, refrain from harming your neighbors and share in their joys and sorrows, and treat kindly those with whom you share ties or proximity; for Allah has encompassed these rights in His saying—Glory be to Him, in Surah Al Nisa

وَاعۡبُدُوا اللّٰهَ وَلَا تُشۡرِكُوۡا بِهٖ شَيۡــًٔـا‌ ؕ وَّبِالۡوَالِدَيۡنِ اِحۡسَانًا وَّبِذِى الۡقُرۡبٰى وَالۡيَتٰمٰى وَ الۡمَسٰكِيۡنِ وَالۡجَـارِ ذِى الۡقُرۡبٰى وَالۡجَـارِ الۡجُـنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالۡجَـنۡۢبِ وَابۡنِ السَّبِيۡلِ ۙ وَمَا مَلَـكَتۡ اَيۡمَانُكُمۡ‌ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَنۡ كَانَ مُخۡتَالًا فَخُوۡرَا

Worship Allâh and join none with Him (in worship), and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masâkin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allâh does not like such as are proud and boastful;

Surah An Nisa – 36

Thus, societies are strengthened by the quality of the bonds between their members and the virtues they embody; for good character is an act of worship through which a Muslim draws closer to their Lord, and its impact extends from the individual to their family and society. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about what most frequently leads people to Paradise, he replied: "Fear of Allah and good character."

So, fear Allah—O servants of Allah—and let your gatherings, your interactions, your writings on social media platforms, and the way you look at others serve as a message of peace, security, and purity. ALLAH says in Surah Fussilat

وَلَا تَسۡتَوِى الۡحَسَنَةُ وَ لَا السَّيِّئَةُ ؕ اِدۡفَعۡ بِالَّتِىۡ هِىَ اَحۡسَنُ فَاِذَا الَّذِىۡ بَيۡنَكَ وَبَيۡنَهٗ عَدَاوَةٌ كَاَنَّهٗ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيۡمٌ ‏﴿۳۴﴾ وَمَا يُلَقّٰٮهَاۤ اِلَّا الَّذِيۡنَ صَبَرُوۡا‌ۚ وَمَا يُلَقّٰٮهَاۤ اِلَّا ذُوۡ حَظٍّ عَظِيۡمٍ

The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allâh orders the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly), then verily! he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. (34) But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient - and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter i.e. Paradise and of a high moral character) in this world.

Surah Fussilat – 34-35

O servants of ALLAH, remember this command of ALLAH from Surah Az Zumr:

قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

Say: "O 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh, verily Allâh forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Surah Az Zumr – 53