In this article we will continue our discussion regarding The Treatise of Rights by Imam Zayn Al-Abidin (AS). We will discuss the Right of the Associate. Regarding this, the Imam (AS) has said:

And the right of the associate is that you should not mislead, or cheat him, lie to him or fool him, and you should not trick him. And you should not treat him as an enemy does who does not spare his friend. If he trusts you, you should be very careful of yourself for his sake, and realize that cheating the intimate ones is like usury. And there is no power but in God.

Let’s start off by defining who an associate is. An associate is anyone with whom we somehow associate, such as a classmate, a partner or a friend. Here Imam Al-Sajjad (AS) has said that whoever is somehow associating with us has a right. This right is that we should not cheat him, and avoid any kind of trickery with him, and we should not deal with him as we would with our enemies. We should not harm him once he trusts us. Basically the Imam (AS) is saying that they have a right to be respected and treated carefully. This is greatly backed up by The Holy Quran and Traditions.

Imam Sadiq quoted on the authority of God’s Prophet :

“The most prosperous people are the ones who associate with the noblest people.”

One of the main factors influencing our prosperity has been pointed out to be having noble friends in this tradition. God’s Prophet also said:

“Ask from the learned, associate with the wise, and sit with the poor.”

In this tradition we are advised to maintain our association with the wise people.

The Noble Prophet said:

“He to whom God intends good, He will provide him a righteous friend who will remind him (to remember God) should he forget, and who will help him when he remembers.”

Now who are these noble and wise people that we should associate ourselves with and what are their characteristics?

Friends we choose must be intelligent and experienced. It was pointed out earlier that we should avoid ignorant or dumb friends. Our friends should also be religious and inclined to do good deeds. They should also be polite and good-mannered. A wicked friend will draw one to ill-conduct. Also a friend should be personally inclined to be our friend, and be a real friend. We have been admonished against cheating or tricking our friends by Imam Sajjad .

A deceitful person is not an intelligent one. Being deceitful implies acting opposite to what you are thinking. Imam Sadiq quoted on the authority of God’s Prophet :

“One who is deceitful to a Muslim is not from us.”

The Commander of the Faithful said the following regarding those who lie:

“A Muslim should avoid becoming friends with a liar, for he will lie until when he finally tells the truth, he will not be believed.”

Friendship and companionship are important in Islam.  A good friend is one who accepts your shortcomings, but at the same time guides and supports you.  A good friend is one who accommodates your faults but corrects them where possible.  A good friend is one who will love and forgive you for the sake of God.

It is important to choose your friends carefully.  Prophet Muhammad warned the believers about this too.  He said that a person would be influenced by his friends, and he warned that everyone should look carefully at those they consider to be their friends.[3]

What we can understand from this is that it is easy to be influenced by the people around us.  It is easy to take on their mannerisms and qualities without even being aware of it.  If these are good qualities then it is a good thing but what if the people you consider friends have pushed you away from the remembrance of God?  This could be a disaster, and God warns about it in the Quran.

“And (remember) the Day when the wrong-doer (oppressor, polytheist etc.) will bite on his hand, he will say: ‘Oh!  Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger.  Ah!  Woe to me!  Would that I had never taken so-and-so as a friend!  He indeed led me astray from the Reminder (the Quran) after it had come to me.’” (Quran 25:27)

In short, a good friend is one of the best blessings of God. He has certain rights incumbent upon us. We should not oppress him by telling him lies, or cheating him. Each friend must honor the rights of his friends.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), often spoke to his companions about the value of good companionship.  He emphasized the need to surround ourselves with good people.  People who hold the same values and beliefs that we do, make the best friends and companions.  Differences of opinion, different lifestyles and interests may make our friendships interesting and sometimes challenging but if the core value system is not the same the friendship itself probably has no solid foundation.

Believers should never be envious of one another, they should always be happy when the blessings of God fall upon their friends and companions. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:

None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.

The Muslim’s prayer for his absent brother will be answered.  There is an angel at his head who, whenever he prays for his brother, says, Ameen, and you shall have likewise.

Do not have malice against a Muslim; do not be envious of other Muslims; do not go against a Muslim and forsake him.  Oh the slaves of Allah!  Be like brothers with each other.  It is not violable for a Muslim to desert his brother for over three days.[8]

A believer loves all other believers for the sake of God.  He desires for them what he desires for himself.  A believer is tolerant of others mistakes or shortcomings and is forgiving.  There is no anger, envy, hatred or malice between believers.  Believers are kind, loyal and generous to one another and they pray for each other.

It may sound too good to be true, doesn’t it?  This however is Islam.  It is a way of life that expects every person to respect every other person.  Islam says you are part of a community and it is your right and your responsibility to be the very best person that you can be.  Seeking good companions and maintaining good relationships is a responsibility that each believer has to himself, his community and to God.  Seek companions who are seeking paradise in the hereafter.

“Content yourself with those who pray to their Lord morning and evening, seeking His approval, and do not let your eyes turn away from them out of desire for the attractions of this worldly life, and do not yield to those whose hearts We have made heedless of Our remembrance, those who follow their own low desires, those whose ways are unbridled.” (Quran 18:28)

We should choose the friend that believes in and abide by our religion (Islam) and gives great respect to what Allah (SWT) and Prophet Muhammad (saw) had ordered us. And we should stay away from the one who is not well mannered and gives no attention to what Islam is about or what pleases or displeases Allah (SWT), for he will surely affect us negatively. There is no good if the companion drowns us in sins and displeasing Allah (SWT). The bases for the actions of those who follow the evil ways are corrupt; their actions are built upon misguidance and deviation.
 

Good friends are those who share with their companions both happiness and sadness. If we share our feelings with the wrongdoers whose actions are worthless and based on corruption, then we are following the same ways and standards as they are doing, and we will end up being as corrupt as they are, and then we are in a big trouble, how can we face Allah's (SWT) dissatisfaction and displeasure? Instead of making friends with the misguided ones we should befriend the righteous, yet treat the rest in a gracious and just manner. Staying at sufficient distance is necessary; yet treating everybody in a noble and kind manner is required.

The danger of having corrupt friends isn't confined to the worldly life. Such friendships produce repentance on the Day of Resurrection, too!
 

Allah (SWT), the Exalted says in the Noble Qur'an: "And (remember) the day when the unjust one shall bite his hands saying: O! Would that I had taken a way with the Messenger! O woe is me! Would that I had not taken such a one for a friend! Certainly he led me astray from the reminder after it had come to me;" (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:27-29)

The two main regrets on the day of judgement are (1) Not following Prophet Muhammad (saw) on the path of guidance and (2) Befriending a person who diverted one from the truth.

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) has said: "The felicity of this and the next world lie in two things: firstly, keeping secrets; and secondly, friendship with the good. And the miseries of this and the next world are summed up in two things: firstly, divulging secrets; and secondly, friendship with wicked persons."

So take heed before the inevitable day of judgement comes and we are reckoned for our acts.

Allah (SWT), the Exalted says in the Noble Qur'an: "Friends on that Day will be enemies one to another, except al-Muttaqun (i.e. those who have Taqwa/Piety)." (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 43:67)