Thursday, June 21, 2007

Muslim Bridges an interesting site. Read on. A link below:

MB Your first time? See First Bridge MB Muslim visitors, join NOW our campaign - Share Islam with Family and Friends MB Christian Visitors, see Christian Bridge, and the Weekly Bridge Publication. You will discover we have more in common than you think MB Would you like to watch live Presentation about Islam at your Church or School? Now you can MB Have you listened to our 24/7 live Quran Radio Channel? MB Say No to Islamophobia & Racism, see campagin and take Actions MB Read from our 650 articles and books, 50 more added Monthly MB Read about Jimmy Carter Palestine, Peace not Apartheid MB Free Registeration and get "Palestine" Book FREE & Live Broadcast & Video on Demand & The Weekly Review FREE Thursday, 21 June 2007
Home About Us Press Site Map Learning Bridge Youth Af. Americans Latinos Contact Us Get Involved Login-register Choosing Friends
Human beings are by nature social beings who interact, are interdependent, and thus, in need of friends and companions. Much of our lives are spent in such social associations, and friendship is indeed an essential component in human relationships. Since early childhood, friends help us through changes we may face as we go through the different stages in life. Through friends we share our ultimate fears, sorrows, happiness, and goals. Such friends can help heal certain wounds and memories of the past and help us meet the challenges of the future.

For Muslims in all conditions; and specifically when living in a society where we are clearly a minority, the issue of choosing good friends is essential for preserving our beliefs and life-style.

Influence of Friends

Prophet Muhammad advised that a person is influenced by the lifestyle of friends; so, be cautious whom you befriend. If one is negatively influenced by those we associate, with then the consequence could be disastrous. [Qur'an 43:67] Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk compared to the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows. As for the seller of musk; either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from his perfumes. As for the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows; either your clothes could burn or you will get an offensive smell from the smoke of his fire."

Friends & Friendship

Friends are people, who spontaneously seek the company of one another; who like and wish to do well for the other, believing that the other party reciprocates these feelings with good intentions.

Friendship is a voluntary, informal, reciprocal and interpersonal relationship that is mutually productive and characterized by mutual positive regard. Friendship is intended to facilitate social-emotional goals of the participants, and may involve varying types and degrees of companionship, closeness, affection, and mutual assistance. Friendship is manifested through honesty, sincerity; trust; openness; loyalty; reliability and the durability of the relationship over time.

In Islamic literature, the root meaning of the terms used for friend indicate some of the essential qualities necessary for friendship ... Siddiq (truthful/honest), Khalil (associate/link), Wali (protector/overseer), Rafiq (kind/caring).
"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be." [Author, Douglas Pagels]

Who do You Choose as Friends & Why?

Researchers conclude that an individual's opportunity to make and maintain friends over their life course is influenced by various factors such as age, gender, physical status, ability/disability level, living environment, cultural/religious background, socio-economic status and psychological characteristics [Johnson and Troll, 1994].

When you choose your friends, which qualities are most important ...

Social status / Popularity
Income level / Wealth
Looks / Appearance
Race/Ethnicity
Faith and/or Character
Political Affiliation
Intelligence / Education
Interest / Hobbies / Skills
Compassion / Care
Loyalty / Reliability
Different Kinds of Friendship :

for pleasure {could be positive or negative}
for usefulness/utility {could be positive or negative}
for virtue = friendship of character. {must be positive}
natural friendships = between father/son, siblings ... {ought to be positive}
Sayedna 'Ali advised:
"Befriend the righteous, flee from the transgressors, avoid the hypocrites and do not associate with deceivers."
To form a healthy and long-lasting friendship, people must be productive in that relationship, and they cannot be causing harm to themselves or the other person involved. "Once destructiveness enters into a relationship, it can no longer be characterized as a friendship." [Joseph A. Devito: The Interpersonal Communication Book.] This is not only true in friendship relationships but also in marriage relationships and parent-to-child relationships.

Best of Friends

Wise ones have said ...

"The best friend; according to the estimation of Allah, is the one best to his/her friend." [Prophet Muhammad]
Best friends aren't born, they're made, one great memory at a time
"Complete friendship is the friendship of good people similar in virtue; for they wish good in the same way to each other in so far as they are good, and they are good themselves. Such friendships last as long as they are good; and virtue is enduring." [Aristotle]
Many people will walk in and out of your life; but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
Are you the kind of person that meets the standards of a good friend?

By: Br. Sadullah Khan






Islam en Espanol
Islam en Espanol
El Sagrado CORAN - Espanol
Islamic Basics
Islam at a Glance
Islam and Modern Science
Understanding Islam & Muslims
Many Prophets, One Message
Spread of Islam
Content for New Muslims
Women In Islam
Gender Equity in Islam
Women Rights
Marriage and Divorce
Islam in America
History and Organizations
Contemporary Issues
Addressing Islamophobia
Jihad
Terrorism
Spread by the Sword
Radical interpretation of Quran
Shariaa Law - Religious rulings
Manipulation of Phobia
Defaming the Prophet
Suicide Bombing

Live – One Click View





Weekly Bridge Publication
Features & Commentary
Reflections
Book in a Spoon
Film in a Spoon
Stories should NOT be told
Letters to Editor
YouTube Basket



Main Menu
Downloads - Free Books
New Muslims
Take Shahada
Find Islamic Center
Recommended Links
Appreciation & Credits
Interns
For Islamic Centers




Click on Banner to view


Subscribe To MB Newsletter


Receive HTML?







Top 50 - Most Viewed
Jesus (P) speaks of Mohammed (P) in the Bible
(12)YUSUF (Prophet Joseph)
Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an
TOMB OF JESUS?
Marriage to non Muslims
Jihad - A Legitimate Struggle for Human Rights
Masters of torture - Dwarfing Abu Ghraib
Palestine, Peace Not Apartheid
US Muslim Marine did 360
Polygamy
WAITING FOR JESUS
Women in Christianity and Islam
By The SWORD or FAITH !
Theory of Evolution
The Life of Prophet Mohammed
God's Mercy Toward Women
Arts & Culture
NOTES ON ISLAMIC JIHAD
Brief Introduction - Four Differences
The Story of Adam & Creation
American innocence - Killed by Bulldozer
Divorce: A Man's Right
Love in Islam
Jesus in Islam
Relations with non-Muslims
Hijaab
Abortion & Contraception
Is Islam hostile to Jews?
Islam is Not the Source of Terrorism, But its Solution
Allah Is One
Terrorism
Stem Cell Research
The Big Bang
Violence in Marriage
Drugs & Alcohol epidemic: Religious influence
Divorce: Easy
Aliens
Reel Bad Arab
Six Articles of Faith
Islam at a Glance
Understanding Islam & Muslims
Rulings on Divorce and connected matters in the Qur'an
Selected Verses from the Holy Quran
The Islamic Origins of Modern Science
Brief History - The spread of Islam
Source, Deeds, Original Sin, and Crucifixion
Examples of the Prophet's Sayings
Fear, Phobia, Islamophobia - Part 1
Apartheid: Policy of blaming victims
SUICIDE BOMBINGS
Pearls of Wisdom
"None of you will enter paradise unless you believe and none of you truly believe unless you love one another"
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)



Do not indulge in any act unless it is beneficial,
and do not say anything except what is good
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)



Terms of Use

The Muslim Bridges site

No comments: