Righteous friends are the rope to help you get to the Rope of Allah

Man is a social animal.

I remember learning this in almost all the subjects in my higher secondary – from Psychology to Political Science to Economics.

I never really understood the full meaning until there came a time when I wasn’t able to socialize much. That was a depressing time. I had everything to keep me happy – a loving husband, a new bundle of joy, a peaceful place to live in – and yet there was a longing in me. It got to a point where my mind couldn’t take it anymore. I HAD to meet people. I HAD to socialize. I HAD to have adult conversation that didn’t involve talking about what the baby did today and what he didn’t do. That was when I truly understood that man was indeed a social animal.

But being social doesn’t guarantee true happiness. What brings true happiness is being with righteous people.
Righteous parents to bestow an upbringing that will continue down the lineage.
Righteous siblings to have a bond that sticks like glue, and not for namesake.
Righteous friends who become the rope to help you get to the Rope of Allah.
Righteous spouse who will become a means of raising your rank in the Hereafter.
Righteous children who are a means of ongoing charity for you even when you have long gone from this world.

It is this righteousness that man needs, to help one another in goodness and God-consciousness.

Man is a social animal whose innate nature is to seek righteousness to live a content and peaceful life.

~ Umm Afraz ~