Surround yourself with good people and treat them as you wish to be treated, the sermon will tell worshippers on Friday.
Companionship is deemed a noble human value in Islam and is mentioned in the Quran more than 90 times. It is written about in the context of friendship and having good relationships with family members — namely parents.
Abu Hurairah, one of Prophet Mohammed’s closest companions, said someone once asked the Prophet, "Who among people is most deserving of my fine treatment?" The Prophet responded, "Your mother". He again asked, ''Who next?" "Your mother", the Prophet repeated. He asked, "Who next?” The Prophet repeated "Your mother." The man asked a fourth time and the Prophet replied: "Then your father."
Wives and husbands are also companions, as they accompany their partners most of the time and find their happiness within each other.
The sermon will tell worshippers that to maintain a good relationship with their partner, they should to praise what is good about them, overlook what is negative and solve problems with a healthy dialogue.
Relationships between friends must also be based on respect and dialogue — as the Prophet did with his companions. He guided them to the path of happiness and Paradise, and they believed in him and followed him.
Allah praised the Prophet’s companions in the Quran, saying: “And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen (those who accompanied the Prophet Mohammed in his migration from Makkah to Madinah) and the Ansar (the emigrants' hosts in Madinah) and those who followed them with good conduct — Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.”
Being good to your companions could involve any manner of things: from a smile or a gift, to being patient with them and supporting them.
A scholar once said: "A wise man only accompanies one who has opinion, religion, knowledge and morals".
The sermon will end by prompting worshipper to pray to Allah that they might be the best companions to their companions and that they be honoured with the company of wise people.
