Characteristics of our Friends

Aaoodhoo billahe minashaitan rajeem 

 Al-Ma'idah 5:55

إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ‌و وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُمْ رَٰكِعُونَ 

Your ally is none but Allah and [therefore] His Messenger and those who have believed -  those who establish prayer and give zakah, and they bow [in worship].

______my comments here____

This ayah inspires me because it tells me what kind of friends should I have. So well my friends should at least possess these characteristics

1. Believe

2. Establish prayer

3. Give zakah

4. Bow in worship

#4 was confusing for me initially because I thought we bow only in Ruku in salah. But this is different kind of bowing. This is bowing in worshipping to Lord. This is bowing on doing everything Allah ordered. And that is difficult very difficult.

May Allah grant us those friends who have these characteristics. Ameen.

On a funny note If I want somebody to be my friend, it is embarrassing to ask "do you give zakah". But over a period of 1 year I can find out if this person gives zakah or deserves zakah. So this gives me an idea, that it can take up to 1 year for me to decide if somebody should be my friend. 

Fortunately, if you are reading this post then you are definitely my direct friend or through some of my very close friend. Alhamdolillah. So let's not forget to give our zakah. ch