Cool or Fool? Choosing the Right Friends

Your friends gather. Smoke curls in thick, humid air. Laughter and slurred words swirl together as bodies twirl and vibrate in time with pounding drums. Voices glide into eager ears, lacing minds with alluring words. Red, blue, green lights blink and flash--dotting open eyes with blinding colour. Hands wave, heads toss, bodies shake into oblivion. Glasses clink, cold orangey liquid drips and pools on greasy tables.

Fear grasps your heart. You walk on the edge of a knife; your friends clasp the handle and wave it like a sword. Your faith wanders onto the chopping block. Warning bells scream. You want to stop, you want to save your faith—but you slide along the edge of the knife. Your faith is sliced and diced. You wonder why you didn’t try. Your friends disperse.

Friends gather. Light flickers through shadow. Prayers flutter into the arms of a new day. Hands grip ancient texts, fingers follow curved winding letters, eyes strain to grasp meaning. Hands point towards Heaven, voices plead for hope, bodies bow in harmony in submission to the One. Peace descends.

Relief streams through your veins, nourishing your heart. You walk a wide, straight path—your friends ahead, beside and behind—catching you when you fall, pushing you forward. Your faith weakens as you climb a steep hill. Your friends tie ropes of faith around your waist and pull you over. Firm belief drips from your lips. You thank Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. Your friends gather.

Our friends can either be the rope that ties us to our faith in Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, or the knife that cuts any connection we had with our Creator. They are blessings, they are tests. Ask yourself, who are your friends? And more importantly, what kind of friend are you?

“You can do it!”

“I have faith in you!”; “C’mon don’t be a wimp”; "Here, try one”; “If you say no, people will think you’re weird”; “Don’t hang out with those boring, ‘religious’ guys!”

Whether you are in school, college, university, or working in the corporate world, these are the voices of many of the people you interact with. In our teenage culture, which exaggerates the idea of personal freedom and excessive entertainment, you are exposed to Peer Pressure.

You know You are a Victim of Peer Pressure when….

Most teenagers fall into flirting, clubbing, smoking, cursing, cheating, stealing, bullying, gambling, drinking, drugs, pornography and other immoral practices due to negative peer pressure. You know you are a victim of this pressure when you:

· are curious to try something new because "everyone's doing it";

· want to be liked, to fit in, to look cool;

· worry that others will think you are weird or a coward if you resist;

· say and do things in the group which you would not do on your own;

· wish your parents should stay out of your ‘social life’;

· do something without questioning the outcome.

Beat the Pressure: Tips to Try!

A) Before the Pressure Strikes

Know your values, beliefs and limits
Ask yourself 'What are my boundaries?'’ before anything happens. Know what pleases and offends Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. He is the One who created you, sustains you, and helps you. Study your faith and clarify your limits of ‘fun’ so you can resist the pressure with confidence.

Prepare your Strategy

Plan ahead of time what you can say and do in difficult situations. If your friend invites you to a party on a Friday night, you can imagine what you may encounter. If, at the party, someone cracks open a can of beer and offers you a swig, what will you do? Having a strategy will help you shun the pressure and keep your honour intact.

Steer Clear of Potential Trouble

Usually we know with whom, when and where the pressure to do wrong can emerge. Avoid late night outings, including malls, movies, parties, and clubs, especially with friends who don’t share your values. Watch out for places where gender-mixing takes place.

Choose who you Hang Out with

· You become like those you hang out with. As the Prophet Muhammad Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam once said, “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look (carefully) whom you choose to befriend.” (Ahmad)

· Don’t belong to the ‘popular crowd’. The quarrels, competition, fads, and deception involved in the ‘popular crowd’ are not worth the image. Choose your friends based on character, not popularity or status.

· Friends who are not sincere and do not love you for your principles, will gradually lure you into an artificial world of false hopes. Either help these friends change gently, or abandon their company before it’s too late!

Participate in the Community!

There are immense benefits of getting involved with your local food bank, seniors’ home, children’s programme, anti-racism group, newspaper, library, Masjid, Muslim youth group, or any other project that helps society. For instance, you:

· avoid wasting time just ‘hanging out’ with your friends;

· enhance your skills and talents;

· meet people who share the same values and enjoy the same activities;

· gain confidence to influence others through positive peer pressure;

· earn rewards from Allaah!

Don’t Kill your Eyes: Watch less TV!

Yes, it’s tough to escape peer pressure, especially when your friends keep talking about the clothes, the music and the stars they watch on TV. Today, TV defines teen culture. TV, with its barrage of alluring ads and captivating shows, tells you how to dress and act, what is cool and sexy, and what is ‘in’ and ‘out’. Let Islam, not TV, decide your dress code, morals, and values.

‘Goofy’ Teachers, ‘Dumb’ Parents, ‘Preachy’ Imams can help!

Teachers, parents, Imams, and counsellors—a group of potential friends we often ignore—can be the first line of defence. When you feel weak in your relationship with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala or find yourself in a tough situation, be smart—consult them!

Make Duaa!

Ask Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala to help you resist the pressures around you.

B) When Facing the Pressure

· Think about the consequences of every action. Use wisdom, not emotion.

· Say ‘No’ with courage. Make it clear how you feel about the situation. Explain why. It may be an opportunity to invite your friends to the Islamic way of life.

· Use Humour. Throw out a funny line to ease the tension and show how you feel! “I don’t drink. I can’t afford to kill my brain cells. Unfortunately, I only have a few left as it is!”

· Suggest a better idea. “Why don’t we play some hockey, instead of watching that movie? It’ll save us some money too!”

· Remember Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala! He is there to help you. The Prophet Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam told his close companion: “By Allaah! Whoever gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will replace it with something better than it!”

Are Your Friends Worth it?...Use the Checklist below to find out!

Does your friend fit these traits of a sincere, loving, and true friend?

· Does he help you become a better and productive person? It’s a mistaken belief that a ‘good friend likes you for what you are’. A sincere friend inspires you, either with words or actions, to improve your personality and situation.

In a beautiful analogy, the Prophet Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam likened the company of a sincere friend to visiting a perfume seller. Every time you visit the perfume seller, you benefit from his shop: You get some perfume as a present, or you buy some from him or, at the least, you obtain a beautiful fragrance from his company. (Bukhaari & Muslim)

· Is she like a mirror to you? The Prophet Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam stated, “The believer is like a mirror to other believers (in truthfulness) .” (Aboo Dawood). Like a mirror, your friend gives you an honest image. She forgives your mistakes, but does not hide or exaggerate your strengths and weaknesses.

· Do his manners and lifestyle remind you of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala? Once the Prophet Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam was asked, “What person can be the best friend?” “He who helps you remember Allaah, and reminds you when you forget Him,” he, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam counselled.

The Prophet Sall Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam was further asked, “Who is the best among people?” He replied, “He who, when you look at him, you remember God”. Such a friend reflects qualities of love, mercy, honesty, service, patience, optimism, professionalism, and the entire lifestyle taught by Islam.

· Does he love you solely for the sake of Allaah Suhaanahu wa Ta`aala? The bonds we form at work, school and in the neighbourhood may whither over time if they are not built for the right reason. Friendship based on Islamic principles is sincere and everlasting, since it is strengthened by a higher purpose and fervent faith.

· Do you feel comfortable and secure in her presence? If your friend’s company makes you feel guilty about the things you do and thoughts you share, you must question the benefit of this relationship. Consider the wise saying: “Being alone is better than having an evil companion and having a sincere companion is better than being alone.”

If your friend does not like you for the beauty of your character, intelligence, morality, and sincerity, you deserve better!

“And keep yourself content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Countenance, and let not your eyes pass beyond them to those who seek the pomp and glitter of this life...” (Al-Kahf 18:28 - interpretation of the meaning).



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