Oh brother don't think I'm courageous. Before he told me this I used to come up with cowardly ways of defending. After he would be insulted, I would come up to him with advice from behind to tell him without attacking the one who attacked him.Well, you're courage is is endearing, mashaAllah.
You can defend him better by trying to ensure he doesn't end up in situations where people will offend him in sha Allah.
Prevention is always better than treatment.
Scimi
A muslim friendDefend who?
I genuinely believe it is more harmful for him that I stand up for him if he doesn't want me to. When he requests for me to stand up for him, then I will do my best.Instead of giving advice to your friend, come forward and stand before the person who insults your friend, if you can or let him face as he wishes.