-
AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_Companionship_and_Fellowship, page : 11
learning the ethics of mixing.
The relationship is either the close relatives, which is the most important tie, or
the brotherhood of Islam, which is a general tie, which under the headings of
brotherhood, friendship, companionship, neighborliness, traveling companions,
workmates and schoolmates.
To each of these relationships are degrees. The close relatives have due rights,
but the womb relationship is a sacred one, and to the sacred is a right, but the
rights of the parents are definite and greater. Thus is the neighbors right, but it
varies according to his proximity to your house.
Acquaintances have degrees of right, the one who you have seen and know, his
right is not as the one who you know of by hearsay. And after acquaintance has
taken place, it becomes stronger upon familiarity. Thus is the companionship,
which varies in its degrees, the right of the companion at school or in the
workplace is stronger than the right of the traveling companion. Also friendship
varies in degrees of right, if it is very strong it becomes brotherhood, and if it
increases more it becomes an affection, and if it increases yet more it becomes a
The relationship is either the close relatives, which is the most important tie, or
the brotherhood of Islam, which is a general tie, which under the headings of
brotherhood, friendship, companionship, neighborliness, traveling companions,
workmates and schoolmates.
To each of these relationships are degrees. The close relatives have due rights,
but the womb relationship is a sacred one, and to the sacred is a right, but the
rights of the parents are definite and greater. Thus is the neighbors right, but it
varies according to his proximity to your house.
Acquaintances have degrees of right, the one who you have seen and know, his
right is not as the one who you know of by hearsay. And after acquaintance has
taken place, it becomes stronger upon familiarity. Thus is the companionship,
which varies in its degrees, the right of the companion at school or in the
workplace is stronger than the right of the traveling companion. Also friendship
varies in degrees of right, if it is very strong it becomes brotherhood, and if it
increases more it becomes an affection, and if it increases yet more it becomes a