The Most Beautiful Poetry About Friendship

Poems About Friendship

• Imam Al-Shafi’i said:

Peace be upon the world if it lacks

a sincere friend, truthful in promise and fair.

• The poet Miskin Al-Darimi stated:

Associate with the righteous and aspire to be among them,

For perhaps the one whom you associate with is like an itch.

• The poet Al-Buhturi remarked:

If my friend’s actions disturb me,

And he does not address my concerns with wisdom,

I endure many things from him that trouble me

For fear of being left without a friend.

How many a friend I’ve known through another friend,

Who became dearer than an old acquaintance.

And a companion I traveled with on a path,

Has become better than any companion after the journey.

• Ali ibn Abi Talib once said:

When you see a friend being flattering,

He is indeed an enemy, and his true nature should be avoided.

There is no good in a flattering individual,

Sweet on the tongue while his heart burns.

He greets you, swearing his loyalty,

But when he is hidden from you, he is a venomous serpent.

He gives you sweetness from the tip of his tongue,

And maneuvers away from you like a fox.

Choose your companion wisely, for

Friends are known by their companions.

• As the poet Al-Ma’arri said:

If you befriend during times of hardship,

Do not forget that loyalty should remain in prosperity.

Whoever neglects his brother during times of wealth

Has not fulfilled the essence of brotherhood.

And whoever considers generosity only for his close relations,

Does not truly understand the ways of generosity.

Verses About Love and Friendship

• Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sabouri noted:

Whoever misses the love of a brother is not living

A pure life.

Befriend every noble soul,

Easy-going and supportive.

True friends are those who strive to advise each other.

A person can weaken love,

Breeding resentment and grudges.

Do not backbite your friend,

Nor plunge into disparaging him in his absence.

• The poet Nabigha Al-Dhubyani remarked:

Preserve your affection for your friend and avoid being

A dog that bites at its master.

For gentleness is a blessing, and patience is happiness;

So be patient and gentle to achieve success.

Despairing over what has passed brings peace,

And perhaps a modest meal will turn into a feast.

• The poet Mansour Al-Kirizi expressed:
• When I close my eyes to my friend, it seems as if I

Am unaware of the evils that may come.

It’s not ignorance, but my nature

Can bear the burden of dislike as I endeavor.

• The poet Al-Qarawi said:
• There’s nothing in this world I cherish more than

The sight of friends and companions.

And nothing sweeter to my ears than

The voice of a herald announcing the return of loved ones.

• The poet Al-Mutanabbi noted:

The worst land is where there is no friend.

And the greatest misfortune a person can earn is in isolation.

• Abu Al-Fath Al-Busti stated:

If you choose a companion, let them be

Of noble lineage, respected and honorable.

For the lowly among men are like the lowly of plants;

Neither fruits nor timber can be valued.

• The poet Bashar Ibn Burd said:

If in all matters you hold your friend to account,

You will not find one whom you do not reproach.

• The poet Abu Firas Al-Hamdani expressed:

I have always been submissive to my friend.

The grievances of friends do not burden me.

When my companion wrongs me, I find pleasure in his deeds,

Until I exhibit my forgiveness and benevolence.

If my companion does not frequently wrong me,

Then where lies the place for my kindness and amnesty?

He wrongs me while I continue to extend my hand in peace,

Nothing is better than a generous response to a friend.

Beautiful Sayings About Friendship

• The pre-Islamic poet ‘Adi Ibn Zayd was quoted:

If you are among people, associate with the best of them,

And do not consort with the worst, lest you become one of them.

Speak with justice if you must express yourself,

And if you must condemn, let it be based in truth.

Do not serve only those who you find fault in, nor find fault with those who commend.

Extend your kindness to your friend’s grievances.

• Poet Bishama Ibn Amr expressed:

A disgraceful life and the burden of an ill friend are both

food to distress.

So if there is no alternative,

Proceed towards death gracefully.

Do not linger if you are troubled;

For misfortunes alone are more than enough to carry.

• The poet Muhammad Al-Wasiti noted:

Souls of men recognize each other when they meet,

Among them is an enemy one tries to avoid and a true friend.

Thus are the matters of people; they are light if friendly.

Yet heavy if one is met with unpleasantness.

• The poet Al-Qarawi stated:

There is nothing in this world I love more than

The sight of friends and companions.

And nothing more delightful to my ears than

The voice of a herald announcing the return of loved ones.

• Poet Hassan Ibn Thabit stated:

Companions of men are many,

But in times of trial, they are few.

Do not be deceived by the friendship of those you associate with; when adversity strikes,

You may find none to rely on.

Every brother claims he is loyal,

But not every one does what he claims.

Except for a friend whose lineage is noble and whose belief is strong,

That one is indeed true to his word.

• The poet Al-Mutanabbi stated:

I befriend the essence of a person before his physical form,

And I recognize him through his actions and words.

I exercise patience with my companion, knowing that

To repay wisdom for ignorance is a commendable trait.

• As the poet Al-Sadiq Yusuf noted:

How numerous friends seem when you count them,

But in times of trial, they are few.

Verses on Choosing a Friend

As the poet Hassan Ibn Thabit stated:

• Companions of men are many,

But in times of trial, they are few.

Do not be deceived by the friendship of those you associate with;

When adversity arises, you may find no friend.

Every brother claims he is loyal,

But not all act as they profess.

Except for a friend of noble lineage and strong faith,

That one is indeed true to his word.

• Poet Jamil Al-Zahawi said:

Associate with wise individuals and choose your friends

From among those who possess good character.

• Poet Ibn Al-Kizani noted:
• Choose wisely who you befriend,

And do not draw close to the lowly.

The true friend is not just there in prosperity,

But also stands firm when time is challenging.

He sleeps while his concern for you remains,

And does not become complacent.

How many who laugh with you secretly wish

For a chance encounter that never arrives.

Most Profound Sayings of Imam Al-Shafi’i on Friendship

• If a person does not honor you sincerely,

Then let them go, and do not mourn their loss.

For in people, there are substitutes, and in letting go, peace.

In the heart lies patience for the beloved, even when distant.

Not everyone whom you love, loves you back,

And not everyone whom you befriend is truly sincere.

If the purity of friendship is not innate,

Then there is no good in forced affection.

There is no benefit in a friend who betrays his companion,

Only to meet him later with disdain.

He forgets a life that has matured over time,

And reveals secrets that were once hidden.

Peace be upon the world if it lacks

A sincere friend, honest in promise and just.