Humans are social creatures by nature; they're always in need of friends and companions. Most of our lives depend on interaction with others. Strong individuals are the core of a strong community, something that Muslims should always strive for.

We all know that Allah (SWT) the Most High has brought us to life in order to test us. Thus we are here for a relatively short period of time and that we shall meet Allah (SWT) one Day, so we need to use our present life for what is best for us in the hereafter. Once we know our purpose and our goal in life, we should seek ways to achieve them so as to benefit our own selves.

In an authentic Hadith, Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "Man is influenced by the faith of his friends. Therefore, be careful of whom you associate with."

Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) who has the most noble character and dealings with fellow humans gave us a very clear and simple message and advice in regard to friendship.

How should we choose our friends? We should choose the friend that believes and abide by our religion (Islam) and gives great respect to what Allah (SWT) and Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) has ordered us. And we should stay away from that 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 in the companion drowns us in sins and displeasing Allah (SWT).

In another Hadith, Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him."

When choosing our friends we should ask ourselves first: Are they going to help us achieve the purpose for which we were brought to life? Or will they take us away from it? Will they desire for us Allah (SWT)'s pleasure or is that completely irrelevant to them and not their concern at all? Are they leading us to Paradise or to the Hell?

Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) stated, "The believer is like a mirror to other believers (in truthfulness)." Like a mirror, your friend gives you an honest image. He forgives your mistakes, but does not hide or exaggerate your strengths and weaknesses.

Once the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was asked, "What person can be the best friend?" "He who helps you remember Allah (SWT), and reminds you when you forget Him," the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), counseled.

Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was further asked, "Who is the best among people?" Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) replied, "He who, when you look at him, you remember Allah (SWT)". Such a friend reflects qualities of love, mercy, honesty, service, patience, optimism, professionalism, and the entire lifestyle taught by Islam.

Imam Ali (as) Says: "The poor is one who does not have any friend."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Live amongst people in such a manner that if you die they weep over you and if you are alive they crave for your company (friendship)."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Friendship transfers a stranger in to a relative."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Do not choose as your friend the enemy of your friend."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Two true friends are a single soul in different bodies."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "He who discards a friend for slight offence risks loneliness."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "In time of distress a man can distinguished between his friend and enemy."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) Says: "Be careful to have truthful friends and try to obtain them, for they are your support when you are in welfare, and your advocator when you have misfortune."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Be not friend with a fool, for he will harm you while meaning to do good to you."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "It is better to listen to a wise enemy than to seek counsel from a foolish friend."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Keep away from friendship of liar surely he will show you as near what is far from you and will show as far what is near you."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "O' Kumayl! Say what is just in any condition. Be friends with the righteous and avoid the evil doers, stay away from the hypocrites and do not accompany the treacherous."

Imam Sajjad (as) Says: "Beware of the companionship of the sinful, and helping of the unjust."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "If a friend envies you, then he is not a true friend."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Verily, there are three (types of) friends for a Muslim,

• The friend who says: I am with you whether you are alive or dead', and this is his deed.
• The friend who says: I am with you unto the threshold of your grave and then I will leave you', and this is his children.
• The friend who says: I will be with you until when you die', and this is his wealth which will belong to the inheritors when he dies."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "He who is deserted by friends and relatives will often find help and sympathy from strangers."

Imam Hassan (as) Says: "Befriend people in the same manner you would like them to befriend you."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) Says: "Be the friend of him who may grace you, not of one whom you are better than." (Viz. make friends with ones who are higher than you so that you progress.)

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) Says: "My most beloved brother is he who (makes me aware of) my faults."

Imam Hassan Askari (as) Says: "Those who advise their friend secretly are respecting them, and those who advise them openly are humiliating them."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) has narrated from his father Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) who said his father Imam Sajjad (as) stated: "O' my son! Beware of five (groups) and do not seek companionship (friendship) with them, do not speak with them, and do not make friends with them on (the) way."

Then, Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) asked his father who they were and might he introduces them to him. Imam Sajjad (as) responded:

• "Beware of and do not associate with the one who tells lies. He is as a mirage which makes near for you what is far, and makes far to you what is near."
• "Beware of and do not associate with an immoral person, because he will sell you at the price of a morsel or less than that."
• "Beware of and do not associate with a miser because he will deprive you of his wealth when you are seriously in need of it."
• "Beware of and do not associate with a fool, because he wants to be of avail to you but he harms you."
• "Beware of and do not associate with the one who disregards his kinfolks, because I found him (such a person) cursed in the Book Allah, Almighty and Glorious, in three occurrences." They are: (Sura Al-Baqarah, 2:27; Sura Ar-Rad, 13:25; and Sura Muhammad, 47:22).

Two friends were traveling together, when a Bear suddenly met them on their path. One of them climbed up quickly into a tree and concealed himself in the branches. The other, seeing that he must be attacked, fell flat on the ground, and when the Bear came up and felt him with his snout, and smelt him all over, he held his breath, and feigned the appearance of death as much as he could. The Bear soon left him, for it is said he will not touch a dead body. When the Bear was quite gone, the other friend descended from the tree, and jokingly inquired of his friend what it was the Bear had whispered in his ear. "He gave me this advice," his companion replied. "Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger."