Tips to Maintain Good Company

Tips to Maintain Good Company 

Life in this world is short and soon we have to answer for our every action, including the company we keep. Ask yourself: is the company you are currently keeping diverting you from Islam or keeping you on the straight path? 

Here are some ways in which you can maintain productive ties in your life:

• Keeping the Hereafter in mind, we should prioritize befriending righteous and virtuous individuals who will help us stay on the straight path. Inevitably, throughout life, there will be people in our environment from various backgrounds and those who do not share our values and aims in life. We should respect all individuals regardless of their background, but ensure that we are in the company of those who will help us stay on the straight path and not divert us away from the path of Allah tabaarak ta wa ta’aala. 
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• Respect everyone at home and at work. Deal with everyone kindly and justly. Allah tabaarak ta wa ta’aala has created us all with different personalities, qualities and character traits and therefore there may be times when we do not share the same opinions with our fellow sisters and brothers. Yet, Allah tabaarak ta wa ta’aala is All-Merciful and if we maintain good relationships with our family and friends, adhering to the principles of Islam we can ensure that we are on the right track to a rewarding afterlife. 
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• Listen to people attentively. Pay attention when someone is speaking to you and make sure you gather the full extent of their message. Give sincere advice that will benefit them, but do not rush to do so in an overbearing manner. Abu Hurayra said, "When he (the Prophet sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) faced someone, he faced him completely. When he turned away, he turned away completely. I have never seen anyone like him and I will never see anyone like them." [Al-Adab Al-Mufrad] 
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• Give gifts frequently. You don’t need a reason to exchange presents. Surprise your friends and loved ones by doing something nice every so often!  Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam said, "Give gifts and you will love one another." [Al-Adab Al-Mufrad] 
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• Keep in touch with friends and relatives by visiting or calling to inquire about their well-being. Be there for them, at least by way of moral support during times of hardship. Accept their invitations and invite them in return. Abu Dharr reported Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam as saying: "Abu Dharr, when you prepare the broth, add water to that and give that (as a present) to your neighbor." [Sahih Muslim] 
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  Visit them when they are sick and supplicate for them. Thauban, the freed slave of Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam, reported that Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam said: "He who visits the sick continues to remain in the fruit garden of Paradise until he returns." [Sahih Muslim] 
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As the saying goes, it is better to be alone than to fall into bad company. So if you are unable to find good companionship, keep yourself from falling under negative influences by engaging in other productive activities by yourself. 

Insha’Allah I hope that we all can maintain fruitful relations which will benefit us in this life and the next and most importantly please Allah tabaarak ta wa ta’aala.