Hazrat inayat khan poems about friendship

With this post we commence a series of teachings by Hazrat Inayat Khan on the subject of friendship. He begins by observing that although we all approve of friendship, it is surprisingly difficult to be a friend.

Friendship is a word which we all use in our everyday language, and yet it could take one’s whole life only to realize its meaning.

However learned a person may be, however pious, spiritual, or experienced, if he has not learned the nature and character of friendship, he has not learned anything. This is the first and the last thing we have to learn.

The complete sayings of hazrat inayat khan

We so often use this word lightly, calling every acquaintance a friend, or professing to be somebody’s friend; but the more we realize the meaning of it, the less we are able to claim friendship. For everything in life we are tested, examined, and tried, but to pass this examination of friendship is the most difficult thing in the world.

What is the reason for this?

Why is it so difficult to be a friend? One wou