My beloved grandmother, Henrietta Stubbs, drilled into my head that the company someone keeps is an accurate indication of who they are as a person.

I can hear her now saying “show me your friends and I will tell you who you are”. Her words was a guiding factor in whom I chose to hang with, whom I choose to be my friends.

Good friends are important and very necessary for one’s growth and positive development. I can say, without a doubt, I have been blessed to have amazing, phenomenal, loyal and trusting friends all my life.

My friends and I encourage each other to be the best in character that we can be. I’ve learnt that one cannot take good friends for granted. There is a writing I memorised from a greeting card when I was about 14 years old which stuck with me over many decades that read: “When you ask God for riches, be grateful when instead you are given loyal friends that are far more precious and valuable than gold.”

Islam views that human behaviour is heavily influenced by one’s company. Regular and consistent exposure over a specific period can have a transformative effect either positively or negatively.

The Koran and Hadith emphasise the importance of surrounding oneself with good company. For example, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “A person is upon the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.” (Sunan Abu Dawood 4833, Tirmidhi 2378)

This Hadith highlights the idea that prolonged exposure to a particular group or environment can shape one’s character, values, and habits. So, we must choose our friends wisely.

I think of the 12 disciples of our beloved Isa (Jesus). They were persons of impeccable character and devotion to Isa and his mission. They were Isa’s invaluable helpmates.

Prophet Muhammad too had trustworthy friends, much like the disciples of Isa. In Islam, they are called the Sahabah or Companions of the Prophet. There are many great and inspiring stories of the Sahabah and their loyalty and friendship to Muhammad.

The Companions of Prophet Muhammad played key roles in the spread of Islam and supported him in his mission even when his own tribe did not. We can attribute the Prophet's companions to the success of Islam reaching the four corners of the earth.

Inshallah, I will elaborate on key stories of the Sahabah in the future.

As an Islamic quote states: “A good friend is a blessing that brings joy to the heart and peace to the mind.” Let us strive to be good friends and cherish the blessings of true friendship in our lives.

Bermuda, continue to stay firm against injustices, genocide and inhumanity. Stand for ceasefire now.

Have a blessed week. Ad salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam