[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_cta button_url=”#TOP” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”|700|||||||” header_font_size=”44px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”Noto Sans||||||||” body_font_size=”17px” use_background_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”17px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#ff6b5a” button_border_width=”5px” button_border_color=”#ff6b5a” button_border_radius=”100px” button_font=”Noto Sans|700||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” text_orientation=”left” background_layout=”light” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|-18px||||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”34px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” button_text_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_border_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ button_bg_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
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We are fortunate if we have that special someone we could call a friend. An individual whom we all take for granted, especially when social media driven friendships predominate our lives, online and offline. A friend whom we have been through thick and thin together is hard to find, even keep. A person who recognises our flaws yet is still willing to work on the friendship instead of walking away at challenging moments when opinions\u00a0clash.<\/p>\n
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Realistically though, many of us would most probably have a group of close-knit friends which comprise different individuals at different phases of our\u00a0lives. Akin to a case of a revolving door whereby those who enter would be exiting\u00a0at one point or another for a multitude of reasons.<\/p>\n
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It is not a matter of being an opportunistic friend as we form friendships based on mutual understanding and\u00a0respect without attaching an expiration date on it. Though we might not gel well or click immediately with certain individuals, it is definitely worthwhile to find out if that particular friendship could develop into a meaningful relationship for both parties involved, which could very well last a lifetime.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u0648\u064e\u0639\u064e\u0646\u0652 \u0623\u064e\u0628\u0650\u064a \u0630\u064e\u0631\u064d\u0651 \u0642\u064e\u0627\u0644\u064e: \u0642\u064e\u0627\u0644\u064e \u0631\u064e\u0633\u064f\u0648\u0644\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0644\u064e\u0651\u0647\u0650 \u0635\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0651\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u064e\u0651\u0647\u064f \u0639\u064e\u0644\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0647\u0650 \u0648\u064e\u0633\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0651\u0645\u064e: \u00ab\u0644\u064e\u0627 \u062a\u064e\u062d\u0652\u0642\u0650\u0631\u064e\u0646\u064e\u0651 \u0645\u0650\u0646\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0645\u064e\u0639\u0652\u0631\u064f\u0648\u0641\u0650 \u0634\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0626\u064b\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0648\u0652 \u0623\u064e\u0646\u0652 \u062a\u064e\u0644\u0652\u0642\u064e\u0649 \u0623\u064e\u062e\u064e\u0627\u0643\u064e \u0628\u0650\u0648\u064e\u062c\u0652\u0647\u064d \u0637\u0644\u064a\u0642\u00bb . \u0631\u064e\u0648\u064e\u0627\u0647\u064f \u0645\u064f\u0633\u0644\u0645<\/p>\n
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Abu Dharr reported God\u2019s messenger as saying, \u201cDo not consider any act of kindness insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face.\u201d (Muslim)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [Mishkat al-Masabih 1894]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It does not have to be a grand, or even an expensive, gesture in order to make and subsequently keep a friend. Smile. Smiling does not cost you anything. In fact, there are many\u00a0positive benefits<\/a>\u00a0to smiling. In addition to being a positive indicator of an affable person who is easily approachable, smiling is also contagious. This in turn contributes to elevating the overall mood.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Inversely, we have all been guilty of the following at one time or another whether consciously or unintentionally: Faking a smile. One way to spot it is the absence of creases around the eyes that translate into a clear marker of the eye muscles not contracting. Though it is our choice to gift a smile to our friend, just as important is the intention or\u00a0niyyah<\/em>\u00a0behind it.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In our quest to uncloak the facade, we need to not be too quick to judge lest it leads to misgivings which are baseless. At times, a friend faking a smile might be hiding an emotional turmoil. It could very well be a sign of emotional distress, of\u00a0a friend in need<\/a>. It boils down to taking the initiative to reach out as your friend might be embarrassed to ask for help, or even choosing to suppress his or her moments of vulnerability in the misguided belief that being vulnerable in front of you is a sign of weakness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If one of the keys to\u00a0opening\u00a0<\/em>the door in establishing a friendship is with a smile, the next step in cementing this precious relationship is to listen. Talking is easy. Having a meaningful conversation that starts with small talk paves the way to deeper interactions, such as learning about another culture. Conversely, when you are encountering difficulty in holding a conversation, just start off by asking questions.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/connect.muslimpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/1-iStock-1190199857-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Two Muslim Women Discussing Business at Cafe” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_cta button_url=”#TOP” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”|700|||||||” header_font_size=”44px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”Noto Sans||||||||” body_font_size=”17px” use_background_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”17px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#ff6b5a” button_border_width=”5px” button_border_color=”#ff6b5a” button_border_radius=”100px” button_font=”Noto Sans|700||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” text_orientation=”left” background_layout=”light” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|-18px||||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”34px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” button_text_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_border_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ button_bg_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On the other end of the spectrum of talking is listening. Seems fairly easy and straightforward. However, upon scrutiny it is the opposite. You could hear yourself talking, but how often do you stop to listen to your friend? How keen are you in not just listening but\u00a0actively<\/em>\u00a0listening in order to ask follow up questions? When we take an interest in others, we do not just talk about ourselves to them, but we also take the time to listen to what they have to say and share.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are times when boundaries need to be set.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n“I Hear You; I am Listening…”<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Drawing A Line<\/strong><\/h2>\n