What characteristics of a good friend are mentioned in the Quran?

While the Holy Quran does not explicitly list the 'characteristics of a good friend' in a single, direct enumeration, it provides profound principles of ethics, human relations, and criteria for the believing community from which the qualities of a righteous companion can be clearly inferred. Islam places great emphasis on the importance of choosing friends, as companions significantly influence one's faith and character. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'A person is on the religion of his friend, so let him consider whom he befriends.' One of the most crucial characteristics is guiding towards goodness and restraining from evil. In Surah Al-Furqan, verse 28, we witness the regret of those on the Day of Judgment who repent for choosing bad friends, saying: 'O woe to me! Would that I had not taken so-and-so as a friend.' This verse clearly indicates that a good friend is one who saves a person from misguidance and deviation and guides them towards the right path. A righteous friend is always an encourager and guide in fulfilling divine obligations, avoiding sins, and progressing on the path of piety. Through sincere advice and reminders of religious and ethical duties, they help us remain on the straight path. This characteristic emphasizes the formative and guiding role of a friend. The second characteristic is truthfulness and trustworthiness. The Holy Quran strongly emphasizes honesty and fulfilling covenants, urging believers to possess these qualities in numerous verses. A good friend must be truthful and never contaminate the friendship with lies or deceit. Furthermore, trustworthiness—meaning preserving secrets, fulfilling promises and agreements, and being reliable in all matters—is a fundamental pillar of friendship. In Surah Al-Mu'minun (verses 8-11), it speaks of the salvation of believers who fulfill their trusts and covenants. A good friend is someone who can be fully trusted, consulted, and relied upon never to betray. Mutual support and empathy constitute the third important characteristic. The Quran considers believers to be brothers and instructs them to be kind and compassionate towards one another. In Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 10, it states: 'The believers are nothing but brothers, so make reconciliation between your two brothers.' This verse establishes the foundation of believers' relationships on brotherhood and mutual support. A good friend stands by their friend through hardships and joys, helps them in difficulties, and supports them. This support includes spiritual, emotional, and even material aid when needed. They share in sorrows and joys and never abandon their friend. The fourth characteristic is enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong (Amr bil Ma'ruf wa Nahy anil Munkar). This Quranic principle (e.g., Surah At-Tawbah, verse 71) is not merely a general duty of believers but takes on added importance within the circle of friendship. A good friend is someone who, when we are committing a mistake or are heedless, kindly and compassionately makes us aware of our error and guides us towards what is right. They avoid fault-finding and exposing flaws but discreetly and with wisdom and good counsel, help us to correct ourselves. This characteristic signifies a friend's responsibility towards each other's spiritual and moral growth. Furthermore, forgiveness and overlooking faults are other vital characteristics. Humans are fallible and may make mistakes in friendships. A good friend possesses the capacity for forgiveness and overlooks the friend's shortcomings with magnanimity, provided the mistake is rectifiable and amenable to correction. The Quran also emphasizes the virtue of pardon and forbearance. Such forgiveness leads to stability and deepens friendly relations. In summary, the Quran portrays a good friend as someone whose main focus in life is Allah's pleasure, who guides us towards piety and good deeds, is truthful and trustworthy, supports us in hardships and shares in joys, corrects us wisely and compassionately when necessary, and magnanimously overlooks our mistakes. Such a friendship is not only a source of peace and progress in this world but can also be effective in the afterlife, as the Prophet (PBUH) stated: 'A person will be resurrected with those whom he loves.' Therefore, choosing good friends in Islam is a serious responsibility that significantly impacts one's destiny.