Friendship can only succeed when its conditions are fulfilled, and he who fulfills all or some of these conditions may be befriended, and if not, then do not attribute any of your friendship to him. The first of these conditions is that he should treat you in public the same as he treats you in private. Secondly, that your source of pride is a source of pride for him, and your source of shame is a source of shame for him too. Thirdly, that neither friendship [with others] nor wealth should render him envious of you. Fourthly, that he must not prevent you from obtaining that which you have the capacity for, Fifthly – and this sums up all the other qualities – that he must not give up on you in times of misfortune. — Imam Jafar al Sadiq (as), Biharul Anwaar. v. 78, p. 249, no. 90
Posted on: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 07:00:58 +0000