Written by: Hafiz Nadeem Zaheer
We live in a society where each day is more tumultuous than the last. New causes leading to irreligiosity are emerging, and it is certain that a person gets influenced by their environment. In such a scenario, making Islamic teachings a guiding light, purifying our gatherings from frivolous activities, and maintaining the standard of love and hatred based on "الحب للہ و البغض للہ" are significant steps towards the straight path.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) explained how a person adopts the environment with an example. He said that the example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of a perfume seller and a blacksmith. The perfume seller might either gift you some perfume or you might buy some from him, but either way, you will benefit from his pleasant fragrance. On the other hand, the blacksmith might either burn your clothes or you will have to endure a foul smell from him.
Reference: Bukhari: 2101, Muslim: 2628
In this Hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) beautifully illustrated the example of a good and bad companion, a better example could not be imagined. It serves as a warning for those youths who participate in gatherings filled with immorality and obscenity, thinking they are not actively involved.
A famous saying goes:
"Good company will make you good, and bad company will make you bad."
Therefore, it is essential to abandon bad companions and seek the company of good ones. Leaving the company of bad people and choosing the company of righteous individuals is crucial. Good and righteous friends should be made so they can guide us under the principle of enjoining good and forbidding evil, ensuring our success in this world and the hereafter.
In Sunan Abi Dawood, it is mentioned that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:"Do not keep company with anyone but a believer, and let only a pious person eat your food."
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood: 4832, with a correct chain
Similarly, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:"A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend."
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood: 4833, with a correct chain
Choose your friends wisely; otherwise, you might end up befriending someone who is an innovator or a polytheist, leading you towards misguidance. Associating with such people could result in both your worldly and spiritual ruin. They might make you abandon goodness, turn you into a wicked person, lead you away from the path to the mosque, and draw you towards immorality and obscenity, or distract you from your studies and lead you to vagabondage.
It often happens that diligent students get negatively influenced by some misguided peers, turning a potential future leader of the nation into a wanderer without a purpose. Therefore, it is crucial to associate with someone who has the correct beliefs and follows the Sunnah, values time, and whose company reminds you of Allah. It should be someone who encourages you to follow the prophetic traditions in appearance and conduct, making you feel uneasy about disobeying the Prophet (ﷺ). However, it is unfortunate that in this age of the scarcity of righteous people, such personalities are rare. Even after extensive searching, if you do not find such a person, it is better to remain alone than to be in bad company. In solitude, engaging in the remembrance of Allah is better than falling into negligence and misleading thoughts.
Dear readers! One of the significant reasons for today's misguidance is the devaluation of time. People often look for gatherings just to pass time, where falsehood, slander, gossip, backbiting, and mockery are prevalent. Instead of seeking knowledge and remembering Allah, they spend their time in activities like playing cards, Ludo, and at snooker clubs from morning till evening without realizing it.
Reference: Bukhari: 6413
Remember, choosing good company strengthens faith and righteous deeds, while bad company destroys them. May Allah grant us the love for the Hadiths of the leader of the universe, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and the ability to embrace and implement them in our lives. Ameen.
We live in a society where each day is more tumultuous than the last. New causes leading to irreligiosity are emerging, and it is certain that a person gets influenced by their environment. In such a scenario, making Islamic teachings a guiding light, purifying our gatherings from frivolous activities, and maintaining the standard of love and hatred based on "الحب للہ و البغض للہ" are significant steps towards the straight path.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) explained how a person adopts the environment with an example. He said that the example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of a perfume seller and a blacksmith. The perfume seller might either gift you some perfume or you might buy some from him, but either way, you will benefit from his pleasant fragrance. On the other hand, the blacksmith might either burn your clothes or you will have to endure a foul smell from him.
Reference: Bukhari: 2101, Muslim: 2628
In this Hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) beautifully illustrated the example of a good and bad companion, a better example could not be imagined. It serves as a warning for those youths who participate in gatherings filled with immorality and obscenity, thinking they are not actively involved.
A famous saying goes:
صحبت صالح ترا صالح کند صحبت طالح ترا طالح کند
"Good company will make you good, and bad company will make you bad."
Therefore, it is essential to abandon bad companions and seek the company of good ones. Leaving the company of bad people and choosing the company of righteous individuals is crucial. Good and righteous friends should be made so they can guide us under the principle of enjoining good and forbidding evil, ensuring our success in this world and the hereafter.
In Sunan Abi Dawood, it is mentioned that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:"Do not keep company with anyone but a believer, and let only a pious person eat your food."
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood: 4832, with a correct chain
Similarly, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:"A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend."
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood: 4833, with a correct chain
Choose your friends wisely; otherwise, you might end up befriending someone who is an innovator or a polytheist, leading you towards misguidance. Associating with such people could result in both your worldly and spiritual ruin. They might make you abandon goodness, turn you into a wicked person, lead you away from the path to the mosque, and draw you towards immorality and obscenity, or distract you from your studies and lead you to vagabondage.
It often happens that diligent students get negatively influenced by some misguided peers, turning a potential future leader of the nation into a wanderer without a purpose. Therefore, it is crucial to associate with someone who has the correct beliefs and follows the Sunnah, values time, and whose company reminds you of Allah. It should be someone who encourages you to follow the prophetic traditions in appearance and conduct, making you feel uneasy about disobeying the Prophet (ﷺ). However, it is unfortunate that in this age of the scarcity of righteous people, such personalities are rare. Even after extensive searching, if you do not find such a person, it is better to remain alone than to be in bad company. In solitude, engaging in the remembrance of Allah is better than falling into negligence and misleading thoughts.
Dear readers! One of the significant reasons for today's misguidance is the devaluation of time. People often look for gatherings just to pass time, where falsehood, slander, gossip, backbiting, and mockery are prevalent. Instead of seeking knowledge and remembering Allah, they spend their time in activities like playing cards, Ludo, and at snooker clubs from morning till evening without realizing it.
Reference: Bukhari: 6413
Remember, choosing good company strengthens faith and righteous deeds, while bad company destroys them. May Allah grant us the love for the Hadiths of the leader of the universe, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and the ability to embrace and implement them in our lives. Ameen.