Microsoft Word - Insan Dosti English Transaltion

[Virtual Presenter] Friendship is about helping each other survive in life. As we navigate through the challenges and difficulties, the qualities hidden within us begin to emerge. Building relationships based on friendship is the responsibility of those who truly care, not just those who claim to. Just like diamonds are often found hidden within coal, the beauty of human connection can be discovered amidst life's struggles. It's essential to recognize the distinction between offering advice and making judgments, as we've been asked to provide guidance, not dictate decisions. When our intentions are genuine, we're no longer reliant on specific methods or paths, for Allah Himself guides us along the way..

[Audio] People feel the need for friends because they need love. Every relationship is based on love, and we attribute this love to different titles, such as mother, father, sister, brother, lover, sheikh, murid, teacher, and student. These titles set the limits and conditions of the spirit of love, and there are differences in the rights and duties of love depending on the title. Similarly, friendship is a title that sets the limits and conditions of the spirit of love with respect to its title. However, our own mental mess can tarnish the purity of friendship, which is actually helping each other to survive in life..

[Audio] Every person is young in his own special background, as they are raised by their parents in the light of their family traditions and values. Under the influence of this training, they take a particular view of life and its affairs, interpreting it in the light of that perspective. Life has many facts in itself, as Allah says in the Quran, "Have I not given you age, have you not learned anything from life?" The wider one's circle of friends, the more one becomes aware of different perspectives on the realities of life, leading to expansion in thinking and tenderness and compassion in nature. Additionally, having a positive view of one's own life allows individuals to benefit from the thoughts and ideas of others, getting rid of their narrow-mindedness..

[Audio] In the relationship of friendship, it's essential to prioritize duties over rights. This means being responsible and accountable for one's actions, while also considering the needs and well-being of others. A person should strive to be both intelligent and compassionate, using their intelligence to protect their own rights, yet remaining merciful and kind towards others. This balance is crucial in maintaining healthy and meaningful friendships. At times, sacrifices may need to be made to preserve the bond of friendship, and individuals should be willing to put the interests of their friends above their own. Respect is a fundamental component of any relationship, and it's essential to base our respect for others on their character, rather than their circumstances. We must recognize that bad circumstances can often be a reflection of poor character, and that true virtue and piety can only be developed through trials and tribulations. By focusing on the hidden qualities within ourselves and others, we can build stronger and more enduring friendships..

[Audio] Friendship is not just about helping each other survive in life, but it's also about developing love and respect in spite of faith and ideology. We often see examples of this in our daily lives, where people from different backgrounds come together and build strong relationships. Even God, the most powerful and merciful, accepts the prayers and upbringing of his creatures despite their wrong beliefs and ideas about themselves. This shows us that our standards of honor are inferior, and what we call pride is actually the protection of our own selfish interests. A dog may not break its relationship with its owner, even if it's displeased, because it loves and respects its owner unconditionally. Similarly, we should strive to be better in our behavior towards our friends, even if we disagree ideologically. We should learn to respect the values of punctuality and promise, as these habits have the power to shape our inner character and improve our relationships. When faced with a situation where we need to share responsibility with a friend, we should always prioritize their will and consent, rather than forcing our own desires upon them. The exchange of gifts is another important aspect of friendship, as it symbolizes love and goodwill. However, it's essential to remember that the true value lies not in the gift itself, but in the emotions and intentions behind it. Finally, whenever we offer advice to a friend, we should do so sincerely and with the intention of helping, rather than trying to impose our own opinions or decisions..

[Audio] Good friends do not spy on their friends and do not bother to find out their circumstances; instead, it is enough for them to say their friends. Trusting a friend's words is a sign of love and friendship. When one has confidence in oneself, one likes to trust others as well. It is people of inferior nature who take refuge in the fortresses of false trust by spying on others. True self-confidence is the name of maintaining trust in others and also a sign of a healthy mind..

[Audio] Arrogance is not inherently bad; it's its misuse that's problematic. Modesty is indeed the beauty of life. Understanding what's meant by taklif is crucial. Taklif refers to unnecessary work, which isn't inherently bad when done with arrogance, but in friendships, hospitality is acceptable, yet adopting it constantly poses a threat to one's identity. Good friends treat their friends with love, not arrogance. There are typically three types of friends: common, close, and best. However, researchers have categorized friends based on attitudes and attributes, dividing them into four types. Intelligent friends possess knowledge and wisdom, increasing one's intelligence. The second type consists of intelligent individuals unaware of their abilities. The third category includes those lacking foolish and firm intellect. The fourth type comprises those who are ignorant but consider themselves scholars. It's essential to avoid these individuals, as they're intoxicated with their false egos and prioritize their own interests. All types of friends share one commonality: friendship exists when both parties possess similar qualities. The Quran emphasizes this principle, stating that disbelief is for the disbelievers and faith is for the believers. A person is known by their companionship. Learn to genuinely help friends. When the intention is to truly assist, one doesn't require methods or paths; Allah creates paths automatically. If a person cannot help, they should at least have good intentions. Our situation often involves failing to help and instead finding excuses, damaging the image of our friend in our eyes. We rarely consider that the friend might find a solution elsewhere, but we lose a genuine opportunity for connection..

[Audio] In life, Allah distinguishes between true and false in such a way that He gives one friend the opportunity to help another friend by putting him in trouble. Help can be done in various ways, including supporting a friend's stance in conversation, providing encouragement when walking with difficulty, and more. However, the best form of help is protecting a friend's honor in their absence, covering up their shortcomings, and accepting their excuses due to difficulties in mutual affairs. Maintaining a friend's self-esteem is also a crucial form of help, especially in anxious and encouraging conversations. If courage is maintained, a person can easily overcome any problem. The right standard is that the best friend is the one who comes to your aid in times of trouble or hardship, does not abandon you, and does not flee. Recognizing someone requires sacrifice, time, and testing, whereas knowing someone takes only a few moments of time. It is challenging to find good friends because we often criticize and observe others critically, failing to recognize their goodness. We must adopt the habit of focusing on the goodness of others and our own iniquities to find good friends..

[Audio] We live in a world where everyone is trapped in the cycle of oppression and injustice. Most of our days are spent reacting to the injustices around us. However, if we take the time to look beyond the surface, we can find goodness in others and build meaningful relationships. It is simply a matter of changing our perspective and making an effort to connect with those around us. When we do, we will discover that the rewards are well worth the challenges..