🗒️ Five factors which can strengthen love for Allah's sake and friendship between Muslims, and why not everybody is capable of applying them:
1🌼 Regularly giving each other gifts on special occasions like Eid or on random moments, whether it's something they can eat, keep, share, wear, or make good use of. Kind advice, honest compliments or a heartfelt poem you've written may also be counted as gifts which you can generously give for Allah's sake.
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Give each other gifts and you will love each other."
Source: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 594
Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to Ibn Hajar
📛 Why some people neglect or fail to apply this principle:
1] Financial struggles or constraints can make it difficult for some individuals to be good at gift-giving.
2] Some of them have a way of thinking that they won't give you anything until you've first given them something which they actually like.
3] Ever since they were kids they were probably trained to be selfish and miserly.
2🌼 Frequently exchanging warm greetings, friendly handshakes and salaams.
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "You will not enter Paradise until you have faith and you will not have faith until you love each other. Shall I show you something that, if you did, you would love each other? Spread peace (greetings of salaam) between yourselves."
Source: Sahih Muslim 54
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim
📛 Why some people neglect or fail to apply this principle:
1] They may be ignorant or not aware yet of the virtues and rewards of taking initiative to say "as-salaamu 'alaikum".
2] Some of them tend to be sulky and aloof, unwilling to socialize, whenever they're going through stress and tough times.
3] Those with social anxiety and low self-esteem could refrain from saying salaams because they fear that you won't respond to them and feeling humiliated is something they're trying to avoid.
3🌼 Visiting one another or spending time outdoors together for Allah's sake whenever possible.
📖 'Ubadah Ibn As-Saamit RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Allah the Almighty said: 'My love is a right upon those who love each other for My sake. My love is a right upon those who visit each other for My sake. My love is a right upon those who sit together for My sake. My love is a right upon those who maintain relations for My sake.'"
Source: Musnad Ahmed 21575
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Arna'ut
📛 Why some people neglect or fail to apply this principle:
1] Both friends have very busy schedules or the timings when they are available to mingle conflict with each other.
2] Some friends currently live too far or don't have enough budget for transportation to visit whomever they like whenever they want.
3] Both friends are extremely introverted or too lazy to pay each other frequent visits, and maintaining connection online is sufficient for their friendship to continue.
4🌼 Being humble or confident enough to tell your friends you love them for Allah's sake.
📖 Al-Miqdam Ibn Ma'd Yakrib RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, "When one of you loves his brother, let him know."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2392
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Suyuti
📛 Why some people neglect or fail to apply this principle:
1] Some are afraid of rejection or they assume that you may not like them in the same manner as they care about you.
2] Those who are still unsure if they truly love you for Allah's sake may abstain from declaring "I love you" to avoid being cheesy or "fake".
3] Shyness may prevent them from telling you they love you for Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, so the only way they prove their affection is by staying friends with you and mentioning you regularly in their loving Du'as/supplications.
5🌼 Faithfully helping one another to become better Muslims and supporting each other with sincere intentions.
📖 Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is being oppressed." It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, we help the oppressed, but how do we help an oppressor?” The Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "By seizing his hand (by stopping him from oppressing)."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 2312
Sahih Muslim 2584
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📛 Why some people neglect or fail to apply this principle:
1] They probably prefer to focus on their own progress and development, instead of trying to interfere with others' lives and choices.
2] They may be unaware of the abundant rewards of providing assistance to fellow Muslims.
3] Jealousy, inferiority complex, or unresolved resentment may be the reason why some individuals refuse to help you out, as they don't want to see you doing better than them in any way.
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📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "A man is upon the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2378
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Nawawi
https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/09/poem-what-makes-true-friend.html
https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/07/poem-some-questions-to-ask-yourself-to.html
https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2022/01/note-some-factors-which-could-prevent.html
