The Loyalty of Friends
True friendship serves as a remedy far superior to medicine. A friend acts as a companion, a brother, a physician, and a healer for our troubles. A genuine and loyal friend is one who loves us for who we are, shares in our struggles, and actively assists us in overcoming them. This individual is quick to offer kindness without seeking anything in return and holds within their heart all love and respect, harboring no ill will toward us. In this article, we will explore some of the most beautiful sentiments expressed by writers and poets regarding friendship and loyalty.
Wisdom on the Loyalty of Friends
- Friendship is not merely the act of spending more time with a friend; it is the unwavering bond of hearts that remains intact, even when distance separates us.
- We appreciate friends who can sense our pain through our voices and silences, who do not debate our struggles but seek joy to uplift our spirits.
- Friendship is a noble relationship that requires individuals to comprehend the essence of loyalty.
- Some friends are needed by the mind, others by the heart, and still others by our very existence; without them, we feel lost.
- Friendship is a beautiful gift for the soul; it serves as a bridge connecting souls, fostering emotions that no one can truly define except those who have embraced it authentically.
- While you may strive to connect with a friend and perhaps fall short, remain hopeful; you will ultimately discover someone wonderful, a cherished confidant who will support you through thick and thin, and share in your joys and sorrows—this is the essence of true friendship.
- Friendship is not about the lengthy list of acquaintances but about those few souls who bring joy to our lives during challenging times.
- Those who are assured of their friendships are unfazed by moments of disagreement, smiling when parting because they know they will reunite soon.
- The person you can freely confide in about everything is a true gem; you can express yourself knowing they will never judge you.
- Silence often fosters the deepest conversations among friends; there’s no need to articulate your troubles when understanding flows effortlessly between you.
- Life can seem daunting and bleak without your closest friend by your side.
Reflections on Friendship
Reflection One:
Let us cherish our friendship and defy indifference so that our poems may retain the color of our laughter, and our words remain enamored with our conversations. Let silence never dominate our exchanges. May we remain friends despite the circumstances, guarding our memories against forgetfulness, ensuring our feelings remain vibrant. Let us avoid making escape from the past the start of a new chapter. May we remain loyal friends, recognizing our names upon reunion, and nourishing our hearts with purity. Let parting never be as painful as drinking bitter water. Let us be steadfast in our friendship during separations, creating beautiful memories that endure through time, alleviating the pain of the past and preserving the happiness of our shared verses. Let us be friends beyond farewell, so when we think of each other, we do so with fondness, and our tears flow without lament. Let us commit to friendship until the end, avoiding the blemish of separation, allowing our days to be free from the shame of a fractured bond. May our friendship continue even after my departure, so that one day you may say goodbye with a smile for the dearest person to you.
Reflection Two:
A friend is the best shoulder to lean on in times of sadness; your grief diminishes and fades away. Their comforting presence instills hope, gradually expanding the world that once felt confining. In moments of joy, it seems the universe can hardly contain the happiness you feel when surrounded by friends, as if another universe is necessary to house such elation—this occurs when souls resonate as one and ages converge.
Reflection Three:
How beautiful are those moments that you fully feel; your heart melts, warmth fills your spirit, and you shiver with joy that is beyond description. You encounter dreams and hopes that crowd your thoughts and emotions, picturing a brother whose image is permanently etched in your mind, whose smile stays with you, and whose presence comforts you in times of solitude.
Poetry About Friends
To a Friend
This poem titled “To a Friend” is by the poet Elia Abu Madi, born in 1891 in the village of Al-Muhayditi, Lebanon. After studying in local schools, he moved to Alexandria and eventually settled in the United States. He was a member of the Pen League, and his published works include “The Streams,” “Memories,” and “The Groves.” His poem expresses:
O one who is close to my heart,
Though you are far from my sight.
My longing for you is deeper than
The longing of the patient for sleep.
I yearn for our meeting just as
One in thirst yearns for flowers.
The distance between us holds me back,
Yet I resist that separation.
Your memory is like precious jewels,
As if words from you are pearls.
I cry out to you, and I am not to blame,
For the captive complains of chains.
Through dull time, affection will not flourish
Unless it is sincere and kind.
Friendships must not be shallow,
Interaction with them devoid of gratitude.
They do not know courage
More than what monkeys might know.
It matters not if they praise
Or express deep displeasure.
Whoever does not honor promises,
Will not honor threats.
If we count true friends,
We find them few and far between.
Their nature does not allow generosity;
Not all who are wealthy are generous.
Those who are stingy with their generosity
Are harder than solid rock.
Stubborn in their demeanor;
They fear their guests, like little ones fear Jews.
Woe to the man who does not benefit
From friendships, nor provide benefit.
For a friend who is of no use,
Is like a burden upon existence.
If a Person Only Cares for You Out of Obligation
Al-Shafi’i, also known as Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi’i al-Qurashi, was born in Gaza, Palestine in 150 AH. He is one of the foremost imams of Sunni Islam and the founder of the Shafi’i school of thought. Renowned for his fairness and intelligence, he served as a judge, memorized the Quran by the age of seven, and studied in Baghdad, where he examined the Hanafī school. He authored “Al-Risalah,” a foundational text on the principles of Islamic jurisprudence. He later settled in Egypt until his death in 204 AH. His insight on friendship includes:
If a person only cares for you out of obligation,
Let them go and do not mourn their absence;
For there are plenty of substitutes among people,
And the heart can endure separation.
Not everyone whom you love will harbor love for you,
And not every ally shows you sincerity.
If the purity of affection is not innate,
Then the friendship is of no worth.
Nor is there value in a friend who betrays,
Only to greet you coldly in times past.
May peace be upon the world if it does not hold,
A loyal friend who keeps their word and offers justice.
Words on True Friendship
- Friendship is a castle whose key is loyalty, sustained by hope, yielding the fruits of happiness.
- True friendship resembles parallel lines; they never meet unless needs arise, then they intersect and lose their alignment.
- The word friendship encompasses various meanings, with the most beautiful being the willingness to sacrifice for another, breaking free of isolation, and embracing one another.
- Friendship is a tree with roots in loyalty, branches of affection, and the fruits of connection.
- True friendship never fades; it remains within, forever a shining sun and an ever-burning joy.
- The genuine friend is one you turn to while laden with burdens and leave feeling light, carrying only their heart with you.
- Distances neither bring people closer nor set them apart; only the hearts can do that.
- I cherish you with pure and sincere love.
- Forgiveness is the foundation of true friendship and love.
- If I live a hundred days, I’d wish for not a single one to pass without you, my friend.
- Friendship is the tree that shelters travelers on life’s journey.
- How beautiful it is to find a heart that loves you without asking for anything except your well-being.
- Friendship is defined by moments, not merely by lengthy associations.
- A friend is someone you can call at four in the morning who will genuinely care.
- When the past pains you and the future frightens you, look beside you; your loyal friend will be there to support you.
- True friendship is like the bond between the eye and the hand; if the hand suffers, the eye sheds tears, and if the eye weeps, the hand wipes them away.