3.   Driven by greed for profit, gamblers often take on numerous loans and are sometimes forced to borrow at high interest rates. When they fail to repay or cannot find a loan anywhere, they begin committing crimes like robbery. Eventually, overwhelmed by difficulties on all sides, many gamblers are driven to the point of suicide.^[1]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                     صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! There’s a saying, “Loneliness is better than bad company.” Whoever you choose to spend time with will influence your character.

اَلصُّحْبَۃُ مُؤََثِّرَۃٌ Whoever you associate with will affect you.

A fortunate person who gains good company is truly blessed, as righteous friendships will instil good habits in him, help him abandon bad traits, inspire him to perform good deeds, and give them a distinguished position in society.

Yet, if someone is unfortunate enough to fall into bad company, it marks the beginning of their downfall. The effects of bad company are extremely destructive. It drags a righteous person from the heights of virtue into the depths of immorality. Bad friends play a significant role in spreading corruption and destruction. Those who associate with such people inevitably adopt their ways, becoming a source of ruin for all.

Who should we be friends with?

The Muslim’s 2^nd Caliph, ʿUmar al-Fārūq رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ said:

Do not engage in matters that are of no benefit to you. Keep