Human beings by nature are social creatures, in need of companions and friends. Most of our lives depend on interactions with others, and man is therefore compelled to live in society and with other individuals. Friendship in Islam is considered one of the Divine blessings through which one overcomes loneliness and solitude.
Islam has placed tremendous importance on sociability and friendship. In the Quran [i], great emphasis has been placed on the concept of friendship because maintaining good company plays a pivotal role in shaping the life of the individual and it influences the path that will be chosen in life. Likewise, the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) and his Ahl al-Bayt (AS) on different occasions had clearly stated its importance, criteria for choosing a friend, characteristics of a good friend and the rights of a friend [1].
Friends are an integral and important part of our social life as they contribute greatly to the development of one’s personality and they affect many aspects of our lives. Islam, in complete harmony with man’s nature, deals extensively both in the Quran and the narrations (Hadiths) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) with the issue of friendship in Islam.
In the Quran, Allah says:
“On that day, friends will be one another’s enemies, except for the Godwary.” (43:67)
The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) while explaining the impact of friends says:
“Man is influenced by the faith of his friends. Therefore, be careful of whom you befriend.”[2]
Similarly, the commander of the faithful; Imam Ali (AS) says:
“Try to have as many as possible true friends, for they are the supplies in joy and the shelters in misfortunes” [3]
Islam attaches great emphasis on the choice of a friend to be selected in life. For this purpose, it is expected that one should employ his/her judgment in a manner free from emotion and try to set aside the criterion for assessing his/her real worth. “One must know his/her inadequacies and weak points, his/her ideas, feelings, dislikes and infirmities. Ultimately, one must discover the human merits and desirable qualities that he/she carries in the depth of his/her spirit so that one may benefit from his/her outstanding virtues.”[4]
Therefore, for the great good or bad influences friends can have on the characters and personality of each other, it is important for every man of reason to choose friends that are characterized by good mannerism and behavior.
Meanwhile, in accordance with the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH&HP) and his Ahl al-Bayt (AS), a Muslim must avoid certain sets of people as friends: transgressor, hypocrites, foolish, liar, sinful, stingy, and disregardful to his/her relatives. Similarly, non-Muslims should not be taken as intimate friends or allies [5].
However, there is no hindrance for a boy having a girl as a friend or vice versa, so far as the Islamic regulations (such as the Islamic Hijab, avoidance of indiscriminate touching, etc.) are observed and they avoid any sinful act.
In Islam, the followings are some of the characteristics to be looked forward to in a friend:
Intelligence
Faith
Honesty
Uprightness and well mannerism
Following some narrations (Hadiths) [6], friendship entails certain trusts and duties. The one who observes them is a true friend while one who breach them is unworthy of friendship in Islam. Here are some of the rights of friends:
Respecting them and their personality [7]
Rendering material supports in the time of need [8]
Advising them when they need your advice [9]
Forgiving their shortcomings [10]
Concealing their lapses and faults from others [11]
Visiting them when they are sick [12]
Participating in their funeral when they die[13]
Concisely, friends are integral parts of our social life, and it is important to be selective in the choice of companions and friends. The righteous ones who lead one to righteousness in this world and prosperity in the Hereafter should be considered as friends.
In contrast, hypocrites and ill-mannered individuals who are sources of plights in this world and in the Hereafter should not be taken as friends. Similarly, Islam teaches the Muslims to observe certain matters in friendly relations. This is because immoderation in this regard may lead to deplorable consequences and bring regret and pain.
Notes:
[i] (9: 71), (25: 27-29), etc.
References:
- Al-Amidi, Ghurar al-Hikam, P. 177; Mustadrak Wasa’il, Vol. 5, chapter 42
- Allamah Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 74, P. 192.
- Mahdi as-Sadr, The Ahlul-Bayt; Ethical role models, P. 290.
- Mujtaba Musavi Lari, Ethics and Spiritual growth, P. 211.
- (3: 28); (4: 144); (5: 51); (9: 23) etc.
- Imam Ali Zayn al-Abideen, Treatise on Rights, Right 33 (The right of the companion)
- Ibid
- Kulayni, Al-Kafi, Vol. 2, P. 198, Hadith No: 8.
- Al-Amidi, Ghurar al-Hikam, P. 775
- Ibid
- Ibid, P. 707
- Allamah Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 16, P. 233, Hadith 35
- Kulayni, Al-Kafi, Vol. 3, P. 173.
When Western people travel to eastern Islamic countries, they often prefer to eat the folk and favorite local food of the region. But what is it that makes western Muslims starve for a KFC classic chicken–on–the–bone bucket meal, or a McDonalds’ double burger if they don’t eat meat?! Muslims are Muslims, not vegetarians and eating meat in Islam is allowed, But like the followers of other religions who have specific slaughtering rituals, Muslims also have explicit rulings for slaughtering particular animals to make it lawful (Halal).
As it is defined in the Quran, believers are welcomed to enjoy all of the blessings of this world [1]. Therefore, about eating meat, Allah does not mention what to eat, but He excludes what is not lawful to eat and maybe physically or spiritually harmful to the human's body and soul. "You are permitted animals of grazing livestock, except what is [now] announced to you…" (5:1) and what is recited as prohibited is mentioned in the Quran as below:
You have prohibited carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and what has been offered to other than Allah, and the animal strangled or beaten to death, and that which dies by falling or is gored to death, and that which is mangled by a beast of prey— barring that which you may purify —and what is sacrificed on stone altars [to idols], and that you should divide by raffling with arrows...(5:3).
Other than the mentioned meats all other kinds of meat are Halal as described in the Quran: Say, ‘I do not find in what has been revealed to me that anyone is forbidden to eat anything except carrion or spilled blood, or the flesh of swine—for that is indeed unclean—or an impiety offered to other than Allah.’ But should someone be compelled, without being rebellious or aggressive, indeed your Lord is all-forgiving, all-merciful’ (6:145).
Please note that all kinds of lawful (Halal) meat must be slaughtered according to Islamic rulings: “Do not eat [anything] of that over which Allah’s Name has not been mentioned, and that is indeed transgression…” (6:121).
Even the above mentioned prohibited meats are lawful (Halal) while you are living in a problematic situation and following the rules of Islam will put you in extreme difficulty. Please note that difficulty does not mean that you do not have ready food at home and therefore you may eat forbidden (Haram) meat. A difficulty, as written in Islamic jurisprudence, is when one’s life is at risk, and there is no other food available but forbidden (Haram) meat.
A Detailed Description of Lawful (Halal ) and Forbidden (Haram ) meats
To be more precise on which meat is lawful, let’s have a review of the Islamic jurisprudence.
Fish that have scales are the only type of Halal sea creatures. Other sea creatures and fish are Haram [2].
Among all domestic land creatures; sheep, cow, and camel are Halal, but eating the meat of horse and donkey is detestable (Makruh). The rest of domestic land creatures such as dogs, cats, etc. are forbidden (Haram).
Deer, cow, zebra, mountain goat, and wild donkey are all Halal. However, eating the meat of wild predatory animals that are predatory in essence, have strong and sharp nails, claws, and fangs such as, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wolves, or animals with less sharp fangs such as foxes and hyenas as well as rabbits, while not part of the predatory category, are considered Haram.
Also, insects and reptiles, such as snakes, mice, lizards, hedgehogs, fleas, lice, etc., are all Haram. Animals who have undergone metamorphosis (maskh) [i] such as, elephants, monkeys, bears, etc. are Haram as well [3].
Birds that flap their wings more than they glide while flying are Halal, but birds that glide and spread their wings more while flying in the air instead of flapping their wings are Haram. Also, birds with gizzards and spurs at the back of their feet are Halal [ii] [4].
All insects are Haram [iii] [5].
It is permissible to eat Halal meat cooked or uncooked or even burned (as long as it has no harm to human health) [7].
Please note that the rules of slaughtering and eating hunted meat are slightly different from all the rulings mentioned above, and we will discuss that in a separate article.
"For every nation, We have appointed a rite so that they might mention Allah’s Name over the livestock He has provided them" (22:34).
Although Jews have their specific rules of slaughtering that have many similarities to the Islamic rulings, as there are minor differences in the slaughtering of Jews and Muslims, therefore kosher meat is not lawful (Halal) for Muslims [8].
Notes:
[i] In Arabic, Maskh means for something to change form to an uglier one. In the Quran and Islamic tradition, this term refers to a specific divine punishment that was sent upon the wrongdoers and wrongdoing nations in the past (of course not all wrongdoers, but those who committed certain wrong acts) which can be called metamorphosis [9].
[ii] Birds with sharp claws such as eagles, hawks, falcons, etc. are Haram.
[iii] If a locust is caught by hand or any other means, it is lawful (Halal) (after dying) [6].
References:
- “Say, who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which he has produced for his servants and the good (lawful) things of provision?”(7:32)
- Imam Khomeini, Tahrir al-Wasilah, vol. 2, pg. 137, the book of foods and drinks, issue 2; al-Mukhtasar al-Nafi’, pg. 251; Sharayi’ al-Islam, pg. 169.
- Ibid
- food in Islam
- Tawdih al-Masa’il (annotated by Imam Khomeini), vol. 2, pg. 603.
- Tawdih al-Masa’il (annotated by Imam Khomeini), vol. 2, pg. 593, issue 2622.
- Imam Khomeini, Tahrir al-Wasilah, vol. 2, pg. 162
- Halal food
- halal food in Islam
The Arab society during the time of the Holy Prophet(PBUH&HP), considered it a matter of pride to have male children and considered boys as the inheritors of the legacy of the fathers. Thus, having daughters was considered a matter of disgrace in the pre-Islamic Arabian society. After the demise of the two sons of the Holy Prophet(PBUH&HP) - at very young age - the community of polytheists of Mecca thought that with the eventual death of the noble Prophet, his mission of spreading Islam would also cease to exist since he had no male children to carry on his message and this greatly pleased those polytheist Arabs and they would often mock the Holy Prophet by calling him ‘abtar’ meaning the ‘cut off,’ assuming that his progeny and noble mission would be cut off/truncated after him. However, Surah Al-Kawthar (Surah number 108 of Holy Qur’an) was revealed as a reply to these individuals to let them know that It is the enemies of the Prophet who will eventually become ‘abtar’ or cut off in progeny, and that the program of Islam and the Qur’an will never come to a halt!
The revelation of this chapter was in fact, a fitting reply to the enemies of the Apostle of Allah to inform them that Islam and the Qur’an will survive forever. Apart from being a reply to polytheists, this Surah was revealed as a consolation to the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HP).
Allah (SWT) consoles his beloved Prophet in the following words:
In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful. Indeed We have given you abundance. (1) So pray to your Lord, and sacrifice [the sacrificial camel]. (2) Indeed it is your enemy who is without posterity. (Holy Qur’an 108:1-3)
‘al-Kawthar’ (translated as abundance in ayat [verse] no.1) has a vast, inclusive meaning which is ‘goodness in abundance’ and the examples are many.
A large number of scholars believe that one of the clearest examples of this word is the auspicious existence of Lady Fatima Al-Zahra (SA), because the occasion of the revelation of the verse indicates that the enemies accused the noble Prophet of being without offspring to which the Holy Qur’an replied with this surah and this verse upon which we understand that this ‘abundance of good’ is the daughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP), Lady Fatima Al-Zahra (SA)’.
Moreover, this abundance is not only limited to the physical and biological offsprings of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HP), but also to the abundance of his followers who practice Islam and are responsible for the preservation of all of its values and continue to convey it to the future generations!(1)
When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was informed that his wife Khadijah ( SA) gave birth to their daughter, he quickly went home and took his newborn daughter, kissed her, recited the adhan (the call for prayer) in her right ear, and recited the iqama (similar to adhan but recited between the adhan and salat) in her left ear. Thus the first voice Lady Fatima (AS) heard was that of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) and the first words (she heard) were “Allah is the greatest” and “there is no God but Allah”. After this, angel Gabriel revealed upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) with glad tidings and blessings from Allah (SWT).
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and his beloved wife, Lady Khadija ( SA) enthusiastically received and cherished the birth of their child, Fatimah (SA). The Holy Prophet ( PBUH&HP) was aware that his new-born daughter would have a very high status on the earth besides in the heavens, that she would be unequalled in purity, chastity and faith from among all the women of the world, and that his pure progeny would be (continue) from her. He was very delighted for the coming of this pure child, and loved and adored her till he left this world.
Fatimah (SA) was nurtured by her father, the master of all creation. He fed her with his talents and ethics , taught her the Holy Qur'an and all things about the verses of verdicts, the causes of the revelation of verses and every other issues concerning the Holy Qur'an, educated her with the rulings of the Sharia, the nobilities of character, and high morals and principles. He nurtured her with sincere faith in Allah, the Creator of the universe, and Giver of life. Lady Fatima (SA) was known by many ephitets? nicknames/titles namely: Al-Zahra: the shinning, Al-Kawthar: goodness in abundance, Al-Siddika: the truthful, Al-Mubarakka: the blessed, Al-Tahira: the pure, Al-Zakiya: the chaste, Al-Radhiya* Al-Raadhiya?: the satisfied, Al-Muhaddathah: the one talked to (by angels), Al-Batool: the devoted (to Allah). )2(
Aisha, one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH&HP) says: ‘I have not seen anyone more similar to the messenger of Allah (SWA) in straightness, guidance, and talking in his sitting and standing than Fatimah, his daughter. When she came to the messenger of Allah ( SWA), he got up, kissed her, and seated her in his place. When the messenger of Allah ( SWA) came to her, she got up, kissed him, and seated him in her place.’)3(
Lady Fatimah ( SA) led an ascetic life and lived in satisfaction, devoiding of worldly pleasures or any kind of luxury just like her father, Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH&HP) and her husband Imam Ali ( AS) who had divorced this world and been abstinent from its pleasures. She was an example for all Muslims especially the women in all her conducts, she presented the true picture of Islam and taught Muslim women about how to be content with the blessings of Allah (SWT). For instance, despite enjoying the privilege of being the daughter of the Holy Prophet ( SWA) she lived a simple life just like many other Muslims, devoiding luxuries,. She was a source of solace for her father during her lifetime and was the best companion and spouse to Imam Ali ( AS) while performing the duties of a spouse in the best way and setting an example for generations to come. When Islam was in its nascent stage, she not only took care of her home, but also supported her husband in fulfilling his duties of Jihad and propagation of Islam. Despite her responsibilities of motherhood, home-maker and a spouse she also took upon herself to teach the Holy Qur’an, Hadith and other sciences to the Muslims of her time. Even when the position of caliphate -bestowed by the Holy Prophet ( PBUH&HP) through revelation- was snatched away from Imam Ali ( AS) she stood like a mountain defending her husband and his divine authority and even laid down her life protecting the rights of the true leader of the Muslim Ummah. She was the mother Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain( PBUT), two great personalities who devoted/dedicated their lives defending the lofty values of Islam as Islam and Muslims are greatly indebted to Lady Fatima Al-Zahra ( SA) for her devotions and services in protecting and preserving these values through her words, deeds and her teachings. Apart from nurturing children like Imam Hasan, Imam Hussain ( PBUT) she also gave the world, Zaynab (SA) who spread the message of Karbala and became the voice of Imam Hussain ( PBUH) after Karbala. (Lady Fatima ( SA) abstained from all desires of life in food, clothes, and others and she turned sincerely to Allah and preferred pleasing Him to everything else.)** …here it comes the matter of logic in writing so, in my belief. With all respect it neither sounds logical, nor seems professional to write this way, though the author indeed has been trying to seem so through writing this passage which can simply be found with even a glance at some explicit flaws such as redundancy and numerous examples of overrepetiotion!
She was the most charitable woman and no one returned from her house empty- handed. Many a times when the Holy Prophet didn’t have anything to offer in charity, he guided people to his daughter/daughter’s.
Fatimah ( SA) was the best example in chastity, honor and veiling for all Muslim women. Imam Ali ( AS) said, ‘Once, a blind man asked permission to visit Fatimah (SA), but she asked him to stay behind a screen. The messenger of Allah ( SWA) asked Fatimah ( SA), ‘Why did you screen him though he is blind and could not see you?’ She said, ‘He could not see me, but I could see him. (4)
Lady Fatima’s status is ?! (Please have a closer look and define what exactly was employed by this very word?! I do wonder if I could get the proper meaning or maybe nor do the readers…)in this world and hereafter, and truly so the Holy Prophet ( PBUH&HP) says: “He, who has known Fatimah has known her, and he, who has not (let him know her); she is Fatimah bint Muhammad. She is a part from me and she is my heart and my soul that is between my two sides. Whoever harms her harms me, and whoever harms me harms Allah.(5)
References:
- https://www.al-islam.org/fatima-zahra-noble-quran-naser-makarem-shirazi/surah-al-kawthar-abundant-good
- https://www.al-islam.org/life-fatimah-az-zahra-principal-all-women-study-and-analysis-baqir-sharif-al-qurashi/fatimahs-birth
- Thakha’ir al-Uqba, p.40, al-Istee’ab, vol.4 p.450, Sunan of at-Tarmithi, vol.5
- https://www.al-islam.org/message-thaqalayn/vol-14-no-1-winter-2013/fatima-zahra-words-infallibles/fatima-zahra-words
- Noor al-Absar, p.41.
- . https://www.al-islam.org/fatima-gracious-abu-muhammad-ordoni