Parenting Perspective 

Helping siblings support each other in choosing good friends begins by creating a strong sense of unity within the family. Encouraging open communication between siblings about their friendships is key, but it must be done in a way that promotes understanding rather than control. Start by fostering a healthy relationship between your children. When siblings have a solid bond, they are more likely to support each other in making wise choices, especially when it comes to friendships. 

A helpful strategy is to guide your children to understand the qualities that make a good friend. Discuss the importance of kindness, honesty, and respect, and explain how these values should be reflected in their friendships. Encourage them to share their thoughts with each other and give advice when needed. You could ask questions like, ‘What do you think makes a good friend?’ or ‘How can you support each other in choosing friends who make you both feel good about yourselves?’ 

It is also important to model this behaviour yourself. If your children see you being kind and supportive to your own friends, they will naturally learn to do the same with their peers. Be sure to celebrate the positive friendships they form, whether it is through simple praise or inviting those friends into your home for family activities. Reinforce the idea that their bond as siblings is the foundation of their other relationships. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, the value of supporting one another is deeply rooted in the concept of brotherhood and sisterhood. Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verse 10: ‘Indeed, the believers are brothers (to each other); so, make peace with your brothers….’ This verse not only highlights the importance of harmony within the Muslim community but also teaches us that support for one another is not confined to family alone. Siblings, in particular, have a unique role in supporting each other’s choices, especially when it comes to friends who influence their lives. 

The holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also emphasised the importance of mutual support and good advice among friends and family. It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 45, that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: ‘None of you will believe until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.’ This profound Hadith underscores the importance of caring for each other’s well-being, including guiding each other towards healthy friendships. Teaching your children to apply this principle within their sibling relationships can help them not only choose good friends but also support each other in making wise and moral decisions. 

When siblings work together to make positive choices, they are living out the beautiful teachings of Islam, fostering a bond that strengthens their faith and character.