A man follows the religion (i.e. ways and manners) of his close friend. So, each of you should carefully consider whom he takes as his intimate friend
Narrator in the source: Abu Hurayrah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A man follows the religion (i.e. ways and manners) of his close friend. So, each of you should carefully consider whom he takes as his intimate friend."- Grade in the source
- Hasan
- Reported by
- Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhi, and Ahmad
- Source entry
- HadeethEnc · 3122 ↗
Original Arabic wording
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أَن النبيَّ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم قَالَ: «الرَّجُلُ عَلَى دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ، فَلْيَنْظُر أَحَدُكُم مَنْ يُخَالِل».Understand this hadith
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that a person resembles his close friend and companion in his ways and habits, and friendship affects morals, manners, and behaviors. Therefore, he instructed us to choose our friends carefully, as a friend guides his friend to Imān (faith), guidance, and goodness, and helps him in this regard.
Lessons from the hadith
- The Hadīth enjoins us to befriend good people and choose them carefully and prohibits us from taking wicked people as friends.
- He specifically mentioned the friend and not the relative because a person chooses his friends, but has no choice concerning his brothers and relatives.
- A person should think well before taking anyone as a friend.
- A person’s religious commitment is strengthened by accompanying the believers and is weakened by accompanying sinners.
References (original Arabic)
سنن أبي داود (7/ 204) (4833). سنن الترمذي (4/ 187) (2378). مسند أحمد (13/ 398) (8028). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 433). تحفة الأحوذي بشرح جامع الترمذي، للمباركفوري (7/ 51). تطريز رياض الصالحين، لفيصل آل مبارك (ص250). كنوز رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (6/ 166). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 341).