Regarding being instructed to join or participate in a gathering

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Aqmar narrates that Hazrat Abu Juhaifa used to say: "Join the gatherings of great people, associate with the wise, and ask questions from the scholars."

Hazrat Abu Ja'far al-Khatmi narrates that his grandfather Hazrat Umair bin Habib advised his son: O my son! Avoid the company of fools, for indeed their company is a disease. And whoever overlooks the faults of a fool, he finds happiness due to his forbearance. And whoever befriends a fool, he becomes ashamed. And whoever does not find comfort in even a few words from a fool, his eyes will find comfort in abundance. And if any of you intends to enjoin good and forbid evil, he should make himself accustomed to patience in hardship. Because whoever is patient does not feel the hardship.

Hazrat Abu Qalabah narrates that Hazrat Abu Darda said: Surely, a man's walk and his gatherings are related to his understanding. Abu Qalabah, in an admonishing manner, said: May Allah destroy the poet who said: Do not ask anyone about a man, rather look at his companions… Every companion is guided by his companions…

27246 - Abu (Qilabah) said (1): May Allah fight the poet who says: Do not ask about a person (but look) (2) at his companion ... for every companion is guided by his companion.

Hazrat Marrah or Hazrat Ibn Hubairah narrates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Judge people by their friends.