Drug Enforcement Administration Ministry of Interior Tel: (+974) 44

Drug Enforcement Administration
Ministry of Interior
Tel: (+974) 44 826 111
Fax: (+974) 44 812 700
E-mail: drug@moi.gov.qa
Website:www.moi.gov.qa
With greetings from
Drug Enforcement Administration
In collaboration with
The Permanent Committee for Drugs
and Alcohol Affairs
The effect of good companions
There are certain Psychological, social and
cultural needs that can only be met through good
companionship in a positive environment. The
simple but true fact of life is that you become like
those with whom you closely associate for the
good and the bad. Therefore, always remember
that keeping good company is essential. Be careful
where you stop to inquire for directions along the
road of life. Wise is the person who fortifies his
life with the right friendships. The Holy Prophet
(PBUH) said: “I have been sent to complete the
qualities of good character and perfecting good
morals”. He also said: “ A believer makes friends,
and there is no good in the one who does not make
friends and is not subject of friendship: Those that
are the best of you in manner, whose company may
be gained in comfort and without harm, the most
good- natured and who are easily liked”. He also
said that a person molds his way of life according
to his friends. “So you should be careful about who
you make your friend”.
The effect of bad companions
No doubt that the good company is a resource
or strength that shapes the features of good
person. Consider this; never receive counsel from
unproductive people. You are certain to get the
worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with
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the wrong person, as bad friend can turn you into a
bad person.
Good companions will help you to enjoin what
is good and forbid what is evil. These aspects
show the importance of avoiding befriending bad
companions, because such a companion will have
a bad effect upon you, they help you to do those
deeds which are displeasing to Allah.
Bad company is like a nail driven into a post,
which after the first or second blow, may be drawn
out with little difficulty; but being once driven in up
to the head, the pinchers cannot take hold to draw
it out, which can only be done by the destruction
of the wood. You may be ever so pure you cannot
associate with bad companions without falling into
bad odor.Commenting on backbiting (to mention
your friend’s name in connection with what he/
she hates), Imam Al-Ghazali said : “It is absolutely
useless to seek companionship with wicked ones
who blatantly and deliberately committing sins
and insist on doing shameful deeds, disobeying
Allah, All Mighty. The sins that they accumulate
on their heart are enough to corrupt and destroy
their belief and make their life miserable. So when
they keep indulging in bad habits without feeling
guilty and without asking Allah’s forgiveness then
the heart loses its ability to see the truth. Therefore,
backbiting the wicked is permissible”. Our advice
to you is to migrate from depression and gloom to
cheerfulness and positive thinking.
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If you are strong and have control on yourself,
no one, even your friends can influence you.
However, for this, you ought to have a strong
foundation, which you earn from the fear of Allah
and self-correcting. There are ample instances where
teenagers are influenced by their bad companions
and as a result many have ended up with a shattered
life. Adolescence is characterized by a number
of cognitive, emotional, physical and attitudinal
changes, which can be a cause of conflict on one
hand and positive personality development on the
other. Adolescents who have a good relationship
with good friends are less likely to engage in various
risk behaviors.
For the first time in their lives adolescents may
start to view their friends/peer group. Peer groups
offer its members the opportunity to develop
various social skills, such as empathy, sharing and
leadership and can have positive influences on an
individual. For instance on academic motivation
and performance. But they can also have negative
influences and lead to an increase in experimentation
with drug abuse, drinking, vandalism, and stealing.
Peer pressure represents social influences
that effect adolescents; it can have a positive or a
negative effect, depending on the person’s social
group. If the people in your social group use drugs
there will be pressure a direct or indirect pressure
from them.
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