Recently, there have been a lot of tweets about “circles” on social media timelines. Starting from the serious to the just joking. But before discussing circles further, we need to know first, what is a circle?
What is a Circle?
A circle comes from the English word circle which literally means a circle. The circle referred to in this context is a circle/group of friends or associations.
In general, this circle of friends is initially wide, especially when we are still in school. Then indirectly it will slowly shrink as we get older. The people who enter our circle of friends are usually people who we “connect” with in conversation (Ratna Lathifah, 2020).
Its Impact on Our Lives
After we know the meaning of a circle, next we find out what impact does a circle of friends have on our lives?
Narrated from Abu Musa radhiyallahu ‘anhu, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
مَثَلُ الْجَلِيسِ الصَّالِحِ وَالْجَلِيلِ God willing يَعْدَمُكَ مِنْ صَاحِبِ الْمِسْكِ إِمَّا تَشْتَرِيهِ أَوْ تَجِدُ رِيحَهُ ، وَكِيرُ الْحَدَّادِ يُحْرِقُ بَدَنَكَ أَوْ ثَوْبَكَ أَوْ تَجِدُ مِنْهُ رِيحًا خَبِيثَةً
“A person who sits (as friends) with a pious person and a bad person is like being friends with a perfume owner and a blacksmith. The perfume owner will not harm you; you can buy (perfume) from him or at least you get its scent. As for being friends with a blacksmith, if you do not find your body or clothes burnt, at least you get his unpleasant scent.” (Narrated by Bukhari)
The hadith above states that good (pious) friends and bad friends both have an influence on our lives.
Each person is more or less influenced by their circle of friends because of frequent gatherings or activities together. Circles of friendship—whether in the workplace, education, community, and so on—can have an impact on individuals in terms of perspective, taste, changes in behavior, and lifestyle (Pratiwi, 2020).
This is in line with the hadith narrated by Abu Dawud,
From Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu ‘anhu, the Messenger of Allah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
المرءعلى دين خليله فلينظر أحدكممن يخاللُ
“A person will match the habits of his close friend. Therefore, pay attention to who will be your close friend.” (HR. Abu Daud, Tirmidhi, and Ahmad. Al-Hafizh Abu Thahir said that the chain of this hadith is authentic)
Choosing a Better Circle
Basically, establishing a friendship is something good. Leaving or suddenly breaking off a friendship is not easy, and can even cause harm, and lead to hostility.
Instead of breaking off or leaving the circle of friendship that has been established so far, we have a choice, namely to include better people in our circle of friendship.
There are several ways to include good/pious people in our circle of friendship, one of which is by coming to a council of knowledge.
Council of Knowledge
A council of knowledge is a place where people gather who, God willing, have the same goal, namely: seeking knowledge, and trying to improve themselves.
God willing may Allah bless him and give him peace and blessings مَرَرْتُمْ From Anas bin Malik Radhiyallahu ‘anhu, that the Messenger of Allah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “If you pass by the gardens of Paradise, then stop by with pleasure.” The companions asked, “What are the gardens of Paradise?” He replied, “Dhikr circles.” (HR. Tirmidhi)
By coming and joining a council of knowledge, at least we can meet and befriend good people, who can remind us when we do wrong—not those who justify every mistake we make—so that in the future we can become a better person. Especially in an era where many people have started to not care about the boundaries of halal and haram in everyday transactions.
In addition, we can also invite other friends to join the council of knowledge that we follow so that more good people will be in our circle of friends. Remembering an Arabic proverb,
الصَّاحِبُ سَاحِبٌ
“A friend can attract (influence).”
By Miftah Afina, S.Kom.
Source: pesantrenalirsyad.org
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