Choose the right friend…

A traveler should have  a companion. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A single rider is (accompanied with) Satan and two riders are (accompanied with) two Satans.

Three riders form a group.”

No matter how smart, clever or capable the traveller may be,

there’s a limit to his capabilities until he gets a companion who cooperates with and stands by him, and manages his affairs

A companion who reminds him if he forgets, informs him of what he is ignorant of. Two heads are better than one.

We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.

One is nothing until they have brothers holding hands with each other.

There’s no benefit in a hand severed from the body.

When Prophet Moses (peace be upon him),

who is mentioned in the Book of Allah as “the strong and the trustworthy”,

was asked to convey the message, he needed a helper and an advisor.

He said: “And appoint for me a minister from my family -Aaron, my brother. Increase through him my strength.

And let him share my task. That we may exalt You much. And remember You much. Indeed, You are of us ever Seeing.” (Ta-Ha 20:29-35)

How did Allah reply?  Allah said: “You have been granted your request, O Moses.” (Ta-Ha 20:36)

In Surat Al-Qasas Allah says: “We will strengthen your arm through your brother and grant you both supremacy

so they will not reach you. (It will be) through Our signs; you and those who follow you will be the predominant.” (Al-Qasas 28:35)

So it is essential that you have a companion who should enjoy certain traits and characteristics.

Let us speak about these characteristics briefly.

Among these characteristics is that  your companion should be a believer.

Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said: “Do not accompany except a believer, and let only a pious eat your food.”

And being a believer is not enough, but your companion also needs to be intelligent.

Because the idiot may lose their temper and get angry with you, getting you and themselves in trouble.

The idiot may keep you away from achieving your goals.

It is said:  “Be aware of the idiot, for he is like an old dress.

Every time you patch it, the wind will tear it back again.”

The idiot is also like a crack in glass. Can you repair it? No, you can’t.

Your companion should also be honorable and not evil-doer so as not to bring you into the evil-doing.

The evil-doers wish they could turn all men into evil like them.

Your companion should not be an innovator (mubtadi`) so as not to cast doubt in your heart.

Scholars maintain that when faith is weak, misconceptions find their way to our hearts.

Your companion should enjoy good morals and should not be greedy for life

It is said, “Birds of a feather flock together.”

Almighty Allah said: “Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the remembrance of Allah nor from performance of prayer and giving of zakah.

They fear a Day in which the hearts and eyes will (fearfully)turn about.” (An-Nur 24:37)

Without such traits in your companion, I fear that you will never reach your destination,

and you probably would say:

 “Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken that one as a friend.” (Al-Furqan 25:28)

A solitary sheep may prevent the flock from enjoying the pasture.