Sources:
- Kitab at-Tawheed by Shaikh Salih Aal-Shaikh
- Riyaadus-Saliheen by Darus-Salam
- Al-Islaah magazine issue #30
Abu Sai’ed al-Khudri (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Associate only with a believer, and let only the pious (who fears Allaah) eat your food.” [Abu Dawoud amd at-Tirmidhi]
Shaikh Bin Baz (Rahimahullaah) said in his explanation for this Hadeeth, “The Hadeeth forbids Muslims from the friendship and company of the rebellious and infidels and stresses that they should befriend the righteous good people, those whose attributes are praiseworthy, who maintain their Salaat, and keep their tongue and limbs away from sinful talks and sinful actions. This is the meaning of ‘Do not associate except with a believer.’ *
The believer is the one who outwardly shows the good deeds, however no one knows what is in the hearts except Allaah (Ta’ala), and the people should judge the person according to his apparent deeds; whoever shows apparent integrity and steadfastness on the religion of Allaah by offering the five obligatory prayers, giving (fulfilling) Allaah’s rights, and abandoning the prohibitions, then he is called a Muslim and he is called a believer, and also he is called a Muttaqi (pious person) according to his apparent actions.
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) stated, “The piety is here”, pointing to his heart to indicate that the place and origin of piety is the heart. If the heart is reformed then the actions of the limbs will be reformed accordingly and if the heart is spoiled, then the actions of the limbs will be corrupted accordingly. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was pointing to his heart to tell us that the believer should take care of his heart and exert his utmost to reform and purify his heart in ordered for his deeds to be reformed. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said: “Verily, Allah does not look at your forms or at your wealth, but he looks at your hearts and deeds.” [Muslim]
So the heart is the basis, if it is filled with piety, fear of Allaah, love of Allaah and sincerity then his limbs will become straight on the religion of Allaah, performing what Allaah has enjoined and avoiding what Allaah has forbidden.
His (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) statement, “and let only the pious eat your food,” means do not invite to your food except the pious; do not invite the disbelievers and rebellious people (disobedient to Allaah).
The scholars said that this ruling applies in case one has a choice and takes it as a custom (habit). However, in case of guests, the ruling concerning them is different. It is permissible to entertain guests, even if they are not pious or they are disbelievers or disobedient to Allaah. This is because the disbelievers were coming to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as guest and he was feeding and entertaining them in order to endear Islam to them. He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to say, “Whoever believes in Allaah and the Day of Resurrection let him entertain his guest.” [Al-Bukhaari]
Entertaining guests is legally obligated in Islaam even if the person is not a Muslim. In doing that, there is an invitation for him to Islam, guiding him to know the merits of Islam and good conduct.
However, taking non-Muslims as friends and eating food with them and accompanying them, this is not permissible. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “The example of a good, righteous companion and an evil one is that of a person carrying musk and another blowing a pair of bellows. The one who is carrying musk will either give you some perfume as a present, or you will buy some from him, or you will get a good smell from him; but the one who is blowing a pair or bellows will either burn your clothes or you will get a bad smell from him.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim].
He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said, “A man follows his friend’s religion, you should be careful whom you are befriending.” [At-Tirmidhi and Abu-Dawoud]
The believer should look at his companions and friends and choose good, righteous friends, whose reputation is good in order to help him on obedience to Allaah, to consult them when he faces an ambiguous/unclear matter and in order to help each other in performing the good.
One should not take the disbelievers and rebellious people as friends and supporters because they will harm him and drag him to their falsehood. Therefore, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not accompany except a believer, and let only the pious eat your food.” It means, according to one’s capability and choice. But if the guest suddenly turns up, then he (the host) should entertain him according to what suits his status. If he was a disbeliever, the host should invite him to good and to Islam. For example, a delegation of Thaqeef came to Madinah and they were disbelievers and the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) entertained them and called them to the way of Allaah until they all embraced Islam.
Similarly, one might be invited to a feast and one associates with people who are not good; this will also not harm him because he did not intend to accompany them beforehand, but what gathered them was only the food, in the same way one associates with others in the market place, mosques, and so forth.
What one is prohibited from is to take a wicked person or a disbeliever as a friend, eating with him, visiting one another, etc.; but if a guest comes to a person, or contacting a non-Muslim to call him to Islaam, or buying something from him, this is not prohibited. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to buy from the Jews, and he was invited by a Jewish man and he ate from their food and Allaah made their food lawful for us. These are matters which a believer should know such that he would have clear evidence not to forbid what Allaah has allowed and not to make the lawful unlawful.
The fruits of righteous companionship
The aforementioned Hadeeth of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim, lays emphasis on the merits of accompanying the righteous and good people, because of the abundant fruits that one attains from their companionship:
- One stands to gain (the good) from them all the time, even if one’s deeds are not that much like they do. The company of those people is never reduced to misery nor will it be wretched.
- One will be affected by them such that ultimately he becomes like them. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man follows his friend’s religion, you should be careful who you make friends with.” [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawoud]
This Hadeeth also induces one to avoid the company of irreligious people and seek the association of the pious persons.
3. One will be shown his defects and flaws so this will help him to reform himself.
The believer is like a mirror for his believing brother; he sees his defects through him and if he sees something which is not good, he would correct himself.
4. The good people usually guide those who accompany them or sit with them to other good people like them to get the benefit from their knowledge and acquaintance.
5. One will desist from committing sins, maintain his time and fill his time with what benefits him. Their companionship encourages one to do good deeds; they remind him of dutifulness to one’s parents, joining the relation with the kith and kin, doing good to the poor, encouraging good conduct, etc.
6. Seeing the righteous people reminds one of Allaah ((Ta’ala). If this good is attained by just seeing them, then what about accompanying them?
At-Tabarani (Rahimahullaah) reported a Hadeeth in which the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “The Awliyaa’ of Allaah (the chosen, beloved, believing slaves of Allaah) are those, when they are seen, Allaah is remembered.” [Authenticated by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah # 1933]
This is the impact of the righteous people upon those who see them, because of what one finds in them of guidance and good attitude.
Therefore, the Salaf (the righteous predecessors) were asking Allaah to make it easy for them to sit in the company of the righteous person, because it is a blessing from Allaah. Al-Bukhaari (Rahimahullaah) reported a narration on the authority of ‘Alqamah (Rahimahullaah) that he said, “When I arrived in Shaam (Syria) I prayed two Rak’ah and asked Allaah, “O Allaah! Make it easy for me to get a righteous companion.’ I went and sat with a group of people; then an old man sat next to me. I asked him, ‘Who are you?’ He said, ‘Abu Ad-Dardaa’.’ ‘Alqamah said,’ I asked Allaah for a righteous companion and He (Ta’ala) brought you to me.’ Abu Ad-Dardaa’ (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said, ‘Where are you from?’ ‘Alqamah said, ‘From al-Kufah. ‘Abu Ad-Dardaa’ (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said, ‘Don’t you have Ibn Umm ‘Abd [He meant ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu] – The owner of the two slippers and the purified pillow? Don’t you have among you the one whom Allaah protected from the Shaytaan by the tongue of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) [He meant Ammar bin Yaasir Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu]? Don’t you have amongst you the secret keeper of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) [He meant Hudhaifa bin al-Tamaan Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu]?”
Just having these virtuous people (Companions of the Prophet Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), this is by itself a blessing upon the people of Kufah and an honor for them in their companionship.
7. The righteous people are good companions at time of prosperity and they are helpful at time of adversity, and they are a treasure stored after one’s death by invoking Allah for their deceased companions. The good companions pray for their companion in his absence, guide him when he is present and advise him if he seeks their advice, pray for him after his death and ask Allaah’s forgiveness for him.
Some scholars said, “Do not accompany except one of two persons:one from whom you learn something which benefits you in your religion or a person who you teach something in his religion and he accepts that from you.” And their Du’a benefits one in his life and at the time of death. Abu ad-Dardaa’ (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “The supplication of a Muslim for his (Muslim) brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Every time he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says, ‘Ameen, may it be for you too.” [Muslim]
8. Accompanying the righteous person is a means of attaining Allaah’s love.
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man set out to visit a brother (in faith) in another town and Allaah deputed (assigned) an angel on his way. When the man met the angel, the latter asked him, “Where do you intend to go?” He said, “I intend to visit my brother in this town.” The angel said, “Have you done any favor to him (the repayment of which you intend to get)?” He said, “No, I have no desire except to visit him because I love him for the sake of Allaah the Exalted and Glorious.” Thereupon the angel said, “I am a messenger to you from Allaah (to inform you) that Allaah loves you as you love him (for His Sake).” [Muslim]
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said, “Allaah, the Blessed the Most High, said, ‘My love is affirmed for those who love each other for My Sake, for those who sit together for My Sake, for those who visit each other for My Sake and for those who spend for My Sake.” [Maalik in al-Muwatta’ and authenticated by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jamie # 4331]
- The righteous companions respect his absence;
- They do not reveal his secrets
- Nor do they violate anything of his sanctity (rights),
- They defend him when he is in need of defense.
One of the writers said, “Don’t accompany except who conceals your secrets, covers up your defaults, stands by you during the time of calamities, prefers you with what he likes, spreads your good deeds, and covers you sins. If you don’t find him don’t accompany except yourself.”
9. Sitting in the company of the righteous ones terrifies the devils. The assemblies of the righteous ones are like a fortified fortress from the whispers of the shaytan and their harms. If one parts from the assemblies of the righteous people or abandons them, he will be exposed to the evil whispers and bad thoughts which the shaytan casts in the heart of that person.
Therefore, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Adhere to the Jama’ah because the wolf eats the sheep which goes away from the flock.” [Ahmad, an-Nasa’i and authenticated by Al-Albaani]
Warning against accompanying the evil and bad people and the evil consequences of their companionship:
- They (evil people)may raise doubts in the beliefs of those who accompany them and turn them away from the correct beliefs.
As Allaah (Ta’ala) says concerning the state of people of Hell in Surat as-Saffat (37:51-57):
A speaker of them (people of Paradise) will say, “Verily, I had a companion (in the world). Who used to say, ‘Are you among those who believe (in Resurrection after death). (That) when we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed (be raised up) to receive reward or punishment (according to our deeds)?’” The man said: “Will you look down?” So he looked down and saw him in the midst of the fire. He said, “By Allaah! You have nearly ruined me. Had it not been for the grace of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those brought forth (to Hell).”
Look at the death of Abu Taalib who died as a disbeliever because of his companions when they told him, “Will you abandon the religion of your forefather (the Millat of Abdul-Mattalib)? And he died upon Kufr.
2. The evil companion calls his companion to be like him in committing the sins and the prohibitions. And due to love of him one may agree and approve of him in his wrong actions.
Generally speaking, accompanying the evil person encourages one to commit sins.
3. The person will be affected by the evil conduct of his bad companion.
4. The bad companion introduces one to bad friends who are like him and whose gatherings are not free of backbiting, gossiping, etc. and one may be deprived from accompanying the good people because of them.
The love for the sake of Allaah
Ibn ‘Abbas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said, “Whoever loves for Allaah, hates for Allaah, befriends for Allaah, and makes enmity for Allaah, then the Walaayah (closeness, friendship, support) of Allaah is only achieved by that.”
This means that the slave can only be a Waliyy among the Awliyaa’ (righteous believers and friends) of Allaah by this action.
Then he (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) continued, “A slave will never find the taste of faith, even if his Salaat (prayers) and fasting is abundant, until he becomes like this. The general brotherhood of the people has become based upon worldly matters, and that will not benefit its people at all (in the Hereafter).” [Recorded by Ibn Jarir]
Accordingly, love for the sake of Allaah should be free of any interests. If someone loves another because he gives him, then he loved that gift and did not love the person. Similarly, if someone loves a person who supports him, then he loved that support and not the person. All these kinds of love are kinds of following the desire. He did not love that person except to gain some worldly benefit or to drive away some harm.
Love for the sake of Allaah is not just a word that one says it to his companion. Rather, it is a love in the heart which has impacts such as:
- To be an advisor to him
- To support him in preventing him from oppression and committing sins.
- To support him in obedience to Allaah
- To defend his honor
- To invoke the good for him in his absence
- To visit him when he is sick
- To help him in his worldly affairs
- To love the good for him as you love it for yourself
- To hate the evil for him as you hate it for yourself.
Let everyone check him/herself! We should love whomever Allah loves, and Allah loves those who follow His religion, the Quran and the sunnah. Our love should be for whomsoever Allah loves regardless of his nationality or race. There are people who cut the relation off with each other just because of difference in opinions among the Shaikhs.
The love between the two Muslims should lead to their:
- Supporting each other
- Advising each other for truth and patience,
- Helping one another in good, remembrance of Allah, Da’wa and seeking knowledge, then this is the love for the sake of Allaah.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says about Musa (‘Alayhis Salaam) when he (‘Alayhis Salaam) said,
(Moses) said: “O my lord! Open for me my chest (grant me, self-confidence, contentment, and boldness). And ease my task for me. And make loose the knot (the defect) from my tongue, (i.e. remove the incorrectness from my speech). That they understand my speech. And appoint for me a helper from my family. Aaron, my brother; Increase my strength with him. And let him share my task (of conveying Allaah’s Message and Prophethood).
Then he (‘Alayhis Salaam) explained the goal that he intended to attain from the assistance of his brother; he said:
That we may glorify You much, and remember You much, verily, You are of us Ever a Well-Seer.” [Ta-Ha 20:25-35]
So the goal behind the brotherhood for the Sake of Allaah was glorifying and remembering Allaah profusely.
—————————
Always feel free to share the khair!
