𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 & 𝗜𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗺𝘀 (49):

الصَّدِيقُ وَقْت الضِّيقِ English equivalent: A friend in need is a friend indeed Meaning, a true friend is one who helps you when you are overcome by hardship. It's important to note that this saying is true for the most part. An obvious exception is the "friend" who offers his services, with a malicious intent, when you're at your most vulnerable A famous example: When Ka'b ibn Mālik, may Allāh be pleased with him, was boycotted by the Prophet ﷺ and the rest of the Muslims in Madīnah at the time, he encountered a man from Shām in the marketplace; a Christian farmer who had come to sell food in the market of Madīnah. This man was asking about him by name, saying, "Who can direct me to Ka'b ibn Mālik?" The people began pointing towards Ka'b, may Allāh be pleased with him, without speaking, as an expression of their extreme boycott and avoidance of him. Eventually, the farmer approached him and handed him a letter from the king of Ghassān. The letter invited Ka'b to abandon the Prophet ﷺ and his companions, seizing the opportunity to lead him astray Islam. The letter read: أمَّا بَعْدُ؛ فإنَّه قدْ بَلَغَنِي أنَّ صَاحِبَكَ قدْ جَفَاكَ، ولَمْ يَجْعَلْكَ اللَّهُ بدَارِ هَوَانٍ ولَا مَضْيَعَةٍ، فَالْحَقْ بنَا نُوَاسِكَ. "As for what follows; it has reached me that your companion (i.e. The Prophet ﷺ) has forsaken you. Surely, Allāh has not destined you to reside in a place of disgrace and humiliation, so come to us, and we will comfort you." They sought this opportunity to invite him to join them, promising to alleviate his sorrow and grief. When Ka'b, may Allāh be pleased with him, read the letter, he said: هذا أيضًا مِنَ البَلَاءِ "This is indeed a test from Allāh." He then went to the oven—used for baking bread—lit a fire with the letter, and threw it into the flames along with the wood. This action demonstrated his strong Ēmān and deep love for Allāh and His Messenger. [Ref: Bukhāri 4418] ADVICE: Beware of those individuals who befriend you when your marriage/friendship/partnership is hanging by a thread; those who, rather than rectify the ties, seek to cut that already thin thread and destroy your union. This one who has come to you at a time of need is definitely not a "friend". In conclusion, a friend is not just someone who supports you during hardship; a genuine friend remains consistent in all situations. So, judging friendships solely based on difficult times may not provide accurate results, as a person's true character is revealed across varied circumstances.