What are the limits of the relationship and interaction between friends? Is there a reward for visiting a female friend? Does righteous companionship have a benefit in the afterlife? Should a female friend conceal her problems and illness from her friend, claiming it is a complaint against Allah and that it is better, or is a friend there in times of hardship to share the burdens of her friend?

Al-Nawawi stated the desirability of visiting righteous people and friends, citing the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) hadith: “A man visited a brother of his in another village, so Allah stationed an angel on his path… [the angel said]: ‘Indeed, I am a messenger from Allah to you, [to inform you] that Allah has loved you as you loved him.’”

Ibn ‘Uthaymeen explained that visiting a brother for the sake of Allah yields Allah’s love, reconciles hearts, reminds the forgetful, and awakens the heedless.

As for companionship in the Hereafter, if it is for the sake of Allah, it has merit and reward. A companion may intercede for his companion if the latter enters Hellfire, as mentioned in the hadith: “They will say: ‘Our Lord, our brothers used to pray with us…’” Al-Hasan al-Basri said: “Acquire many believing friends, for they will have intercession on the Day of Resurrection.”

Regarding complaining, Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned that patience is restraining the tongue from complaining to other than Allah, and the heart from resentment. As for informing a creature of one’s condition to seek help or to remove a necessity, it does not diminish patience, like a sick person informing a doctor, or an oppressed person informing someone who can assist him.