Choose a companion who supports you; do not follow someone who brings you down.

“And my brother Aaron—he is more eloquent than I in speech; so send him with me as a helper to confirm me. Indeed, I fear they will deny me.”
(Al-Qasas 28:34)

The greatness of Allah Almighty is manifested in this verse when Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) asked Allah to send his brother Aaron as a supporter and helper to assist him in conveying God’s command to the Children of Israel. He asked for Aaron to accompany him to those people, to support him in delivering God’s message, to affirm his words, and to replace him if he faced opposition, as Moses feared their denial without his brother’s assistance.

This concept applies to how we choose companions for our journey in life. Selecting the right companions—whether righteous friends, a spouse, business partners, or even neighbors—is crucial. As the saying goes, “Choose your neighbor before the house.”

Our choice of a true companion should be based on sincerity and love for the sake of Allah, to illuminate the darkness of the path and ease the hardships along the way. By “companion of the journey,” I mean someone who truly embodies this role.

A companion of the journey is not just a term of endearment or flattery; it signifies a high rank of friendship and brotherhood. It is a word filled with emotions that connect hearts in love for the sake of Allah. This companion keeps you steadfast in tough times, acts as a compass guiding you to what is right, helps you avoid troubles, and eases difficulties with their advice and support. They stand by you in crises—like a parent, sibling, friend, or even someone you’ve never met before but who fate has sent your way as a helper.

Your companion acts like a mind that keeps you balanced. Otherwise, they are a destructive enemy. Not all matters appear as they seem; friendship is more complex than we imagine. As the saying goes, “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.”

Choosing a companion depends on your principles. If you aim for success, you will seek a friend with high intellect, active and practical, respectful of time, and creative in their ideas. Such a companion inspires you to excel, filled with energy, courageously pursuing their dreams with a passion that propels them beyond the ordinary to new heights. This is the type of companion who elevates you to greater horizons.

On the other hand, someone who contradicts your principles will destabilize your life, causing cracks in its foundation and weakening its pillars. It is a simple equation you determine—an interplay of factors leading to success or failure. Every successful person surrounds themselves with individuals who elevate them, while a failure is often brought down by the company they keep.

How to Choose Your Companion Carefully:

1. Shares Your Ambition
Each of us has aspirations to achieve, whether in the short or long term. A person’s plan requires various tools, simple and complex. One critical tool for success is your environment and the correct choice of those who provide positive energy at the right time, pushing you toward your goals and dreams. On the other hand, negative energy, like cheap matchsticks, can easily extinguish your spirit, killing your dreams and ambitions.
2. Chemically Compatible with You
Everyone has their own “chemistry.” Just as souls are like conscripted soldiers—those that recognize each other come together, and those that don’t, separate—choose a companion who aligns closely with your nature and ideas.
3. Aligned with Your Beliefs
Each person has their own set of beliefs they are deeply committed to, striving to uphold them across all aspects of life. If the friend you consider your journey companion continually opposes your beliefs, which you hold as correct and unwavering, they will become a major obstacle in your life. Instead of being a support, they will be a burden. The right friend, one who shares your beliefs, will remain a lasting companion on your path.
4. Age
Many people think age is a significant factor in friendships, believing that generational differences often lead to conflicts due to differing perspectives. The older generation claims more experience than the younger, leading to disputes and widening gaps.
However, from my personal experience, I have never been restricted by age in my friendships. Age has never been a barrier throughout my life. On the contrary, I have learned a lot from those older than me when I was young—things that illuminated my path. Some guided me toward learning and provided cultural resources, while others offered invaluable advice rooted in their life experiences. Hence, I do not consider age a barrier to friendships, as long as the choice is made wisely.
5. Trustworthiness with Secrets
If you choose your friend wisely, they naturally become the keeper of your secrets. You can confide in them without fear or hesitation. In reality, we often need a trustworthy person to share our thoughts and seek their rational and wise advice. A true friend understands the weight of their words in critical situations, listens to your complaints, helps you solve your problems without spreading them to others, and acts as a vault for your secrets. Such trust strengthens the bond between you.
6. Mutual Benefit
It is not wrong to choose a friend or companion for mutual, non-material benefits. A good friend supports you as you support them, offering sincere advice and guidance.
What is wrong, however, is choosing someone solely for materialistic or momentary interests, exhausting their resources, and ending the relationship once those benefits are gone. Relationships should be built on moral foundations, as ethics are the enduring benefit that sustains friendships for years, even in the face of conflicts and challenges. A person who possesses wealth but lacks morals is like a plastic flower—pleasing in appearance but devoid of fragrance.

A Final Reminder:

Each individual in society should strive to be a righteous friend, someone who guides others toward the right path. Actions speak louder than words. Be a role model and a good friend to others.