With the Hadith
A man is upon the religion of his close friend
We greet you all, dear listeners, everywhere, in a new episode of your program: With the Hadith, and we begin with the best greeting, so peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
Narrated Abu Hurairah:
The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: "A man is upon the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look to whom he befriends."
It is mentioned in Tuhfat Al-Ahwadhi in explaining Jami` at-Tirmidhi
His saying: (The man) means the human being
(upon the religion of his close friend) meaning upon the habit of his companion, his way, and his conduct
(So let him look) meaning let him contemplate and ponder
(to whom he befriends) from close friendship, which is companionship and brotherhood. So whoever is pleased with his religion and character, let him befriend him, and whoever is not, let him avoid him, for natures are thieves, and companionship is influential in reforming the situation and corrupting it. Al-Ghazali said: "Sitting with the greedy and associating with him stirs up greed, and sitting with the ascetic and befriending him makes one renounce the world, because natures are inherently inclined to imitate and emulate; rather, nature steals from nature without one knowing." End quote.
Al-Qarafi said: "Not everyone deserves to be lived with, accompanied, or confided in."
Alqama said: "Befriend the one who, if you befriend him, adorns you, and if you are afflicted with need, he helps you, and if you speak, he approves your statement, and if he sees good from you, he counts it, and if a flaw appears from you, he mends it, and if you ask him, he gives you, and if an important matter befalls you, he comforts you, and the least of them is the one from whom no calamities come to you, and from whom the paths do not differ."
Sheikh Ahmad ibn Ata' said: "Sitting with opposites is the dissolving of the soul, and sitting with similar people is the fertilization of minds. Not everyone who is fit for sitting is fit for companionship, and not everyone who is fit for companionship is trusted with secrets, and no one is trusted with secrets except the trustworthy only."
Dear listeners:
Some people these days look at their situation or the situation of their children with sadness and regret, and they wonder how they or their children have reached this situation, and they wonder how they can improve this situation, and the questioner neglects the impact of companions and friends. So what has been mentioned came as an explanation of the importance of this matter.
Let whoever is in this situation know that he must turn to himself and search for good companions who will help him obey God. And we ask God Almighty to always surround us with the righteous.
Dear listeners
Until we meet you with another prophetic hadith, we leave you in God's care, and peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.