Pearls of Islam Reminder SeriesThe Value of FriendshipBy Aatif HaqueHumans are sociable 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 alway strive for.The type of people whom Allah (swt) has put us into the company of, including our families, colleagues and friends, determines to a great degree the type of people we will become. Just as important are the people who we choose to be in the company of - our friends. The prophet (PBUH) said,!"Man is inuenced by the faith of his friends", therefore we must be careful of whom we choose to associate with.University can be a testing time for students and often we are reliant on our friends to see us through the tough times. Choosing the right company can be the rst step in building and fortifying our Imaan and taking a step in the right direction. I'm sure we all know someone who has gone to university not really practicing, praying every now and then and come out a few years later, transformed and practicing and this is something we should aim to emulate.We subconsciously pick up habits from friends and without realising it - Our behaviour is heavily inuenced by them. Hence we should aim to befriend those who benet us. Someone who will help us pray ve times a day, supports and comforts us and corrects you us when we do wrong. In summary, we should evaluate our friendships and see what habits and mannerisms we pick up from those around us. We need to be selective when deciding whose company we choose to spend time in to gain maximum benet from those around us. Friendships can help make or break a person and I pray it is the former for all of us.THE PEARLS OF ISLAMREMINDER SERIESMonday 7th November 2011 11 Dhul - Hijjah 1432 Volume 4 Issue 2!"#$%&$'()&"*)$ $ $ $ $$ $ $$$ $ $$ $$+,$-.#/.0$1.&0/*$ $ $ $ $ $$$$$ $$$2340$5.670$2899$ Z3 Rubee A'Thunee 143Z$!"#$%&"'()"'$"*(+,"(-".'/*(01(2*/.#(:";,5$%>(10'@(You don'f quife undersfond, buf somehow you've mode if fhrough fo see onofher doy. (B45(5,7(5,"(*0/4?5$0%C(D'0#( E0&7( ;04'( F0'&( G//.,( )H+( $%(