๐ In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
๐️ Question: I'm considering moving to a different school because I don't have a single close friend in the Madrasah where I am currently studying at. Do you think it's possible for someone to complete their studies even if they do not have close friends?
๐ Answer: Alhamdulillah, yes it is feasible
Inn-sha-Allah to achieve your goals with guidance and help from Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala even if none of His living servants are close friends with you. When you go to school, your intention of going to school should be to gain beneficial knowledge which you can utilize for Allah's sake in becoming a better Muslim as well as pursuing the career in the future which you believe can bring you closer to your main goal namely to see Allah the Almighty and join those who'll be with Him Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala in Jannatul Ferdaus with Allah's Mercy.
Your niyyah / intention of attending a class, lecture, seminar, conference or gathering isn't necessarily to build as many connections as you can and expand your social circle but to benefit from the action of attending for Allah's sake by sincerely wanting to learn something new, to generously contribute to the group or kindly share some valuable information when given the opportunity, and to train yourself to become more patient whenever you encounter various difficulties including certain individuals who can be somewhat challenging to get along with at times.
Allah the Most Wise is the One Who controls everything and decrees who from His creation should connect with you. If most of the time you struggle with trying to maintain long-standing friendships whether at school, workplace or an organization, maybe your "feeling as though you don't fit in with any specific clique" is an enormous blessing in disguise - a way for Allah the Most Wise to protect you from connecting with the wrong sort of individuals who could be secretly envious of you or whose presence may inflict more damage to your overall well-being and faith Imaan.
Even if you don't have any close friend at school or wherever you go, still try your best to treat every soul whom Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala wants you to meet with proper manners and integrity.
✅ Some of the benefits of not having close friends:
1. Protection from the sin of gossiping, telling lies and willingly listening to falsehood.
2. Protection from wasting precious time on meaningless discussions and pointless arguments.
3. Protection from tolerating fake giggles, nonsensical drama and people's negative qualities.
4. Protection from wasting money on those who act as though they care about you while in reality they despise you with intense jealousy.
5. Opportunity to focus on achieving worthwhile goals, so you can concentrate on tasks which are more deserving of your attention.
6. More free time to reflect and read from the Noble Qur'an, and listen to calming Qur'an recitations.
7. More free time to research useful info, learn from Islamic lectures and seek authentic Islamic knowledge.
8. Your secrets and weaknesses are known only to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala.
9. More inner calm and peace when you distance yourself from toxic and untrustworthy individuals including actual hypocrites (munaafiqeen / munaafiqaat).
10. Enhancing your faith Imaan and inner strength
Inn-sha-Allah as you train yourself to become more independent and mostly quiet, while trusting Allah the Almighty Only and saying Du'a and Adhkaar frequently.
11. More chances Inn-sha-Allah to spend quality time with those who truly matter such as your mother, father, siblings, half-siblings, spouse, cousins, aunties, uncles, grandparents etc. instead of chatting aimlessly with those who may have an unreasonable grudge against somebody from your family.
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๐ Abu Umamah RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever loves for the sake of Allah (The Almighty), hates for the sake of Allah, gives for the sake of Allah, and withholds for the sake of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) has perfected the faith (Imaan)."
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4681
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albaani
๐ Abu Musa RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, the parable (similitude, example) of good company and a bad company is only that of a seller of musk and a blacksmith. The seller of musk will give you some perfume, you will buy some, or you will notice a good smell (pleasant scent). As for the blacksmith, he will burn your clothes or you will notice a bad smell."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 5534, Sahih Muslim 2628
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
๐ Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2378
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Nawawi
๐ Ibn Hibban reported: Abu Darda RadhiAllahu 'anhu said, "A righteous companion is better than solitude, and solitude is better than an evil companion. A good writer is better than one silent, and one silent is better than an evil writer."
Source: Rawḍat Al-‘Uqalā’ 56