Defining a True Friend
سچے دوست کی پہچان
لَا يَكُونُ الصَّدِيقُ صَدِيقاً حَتَّى يَحْفَظَ أَخَاهُ فِي ثَلَاثٍ: فِي نَكْبَتِهِ، وَغَيْبَتِهِ، وَوَفَاتِهِ.
کوئی دوست اس وقت تک (سچا) دوست نہیں ہو سکتا جب تک کہ وہ اپنے بھائی کی تین موقعوں پر حفاظت (خیال) نہ کرے: اس کی مصیبت کے وقت، اس کی غیر موجودگی میں، اور اس کے انتقال کے بعد۔
“A friend is not a (true) friend unless he looks after his brother in three situations: in his misfortune, in his absence, and after his death.”
Reflections: Imam Ali ؑ sets a high standard for friendship. Most people are “fair-weather friends” who disappear during **misfortune**. True loyalty, however, extends to protecting a friend’s reputation in their **absence** and looking after their legacy or family after their **death**. This wisdom teaches us that friendship is a sacred duty of guardianship that transcends physical presence and even lifetime.