𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (16)

True Friendship Among the means by which one is saved from misguidance, and spared from innovation, deviation, and ignorance, is that Allāh brings to him righteous friends who grant him insight, take him by the hand, and lead him to the path of light and Ēmān. While exceptionally rare, friends of this nature are marked by the following notable characteristics: Imām Abū Al-Qāsim Muḥammad ibn Juzayy Al-Gharnāṭī (d. 741 AH), may Allāh have mercy upon him, said: "A true friend must fulfill seven conditions: 1⃣. He must be sound in his beliefs and follow the Sunnah. 2⃣. He must be pious in his religious practice, for if he is an innovator or openly sinful, he may draw his companion toward his own way, or people may assume that of him; for a person follows the religion of his close companion. 3⃣. He must be wise, as the company of a fool is a trial. 4⃣. He must have good character, for ill manners may make one unsafe from his enmity. Test him with anger: if he becomes angry, one should reconsider the companionship. 5⃣. He must be pure-hearted in one's presence and absence, free of grudges, envy, malice, or hypocrisy. 6⃣. He must be steadfast in his promises, neither fickle nor inconsistent. 7⃣. He upholds your rights just as you uphold his, for there is no good in the companionship of one who does not recognise for you the same rights that you recognise for him." [Al-Qawānīn al-Fiqhiyyah, p. 460] Source: https://t.me/madrasatuna/5647 ___ Remember, before you find that friend, you must become that person yourself, because that friend is also seeking for those qualities! (Abu Aslam)