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Good Companionship vs. Bad Companionship

Shaykh Ḥasan al-Ṣumālī

Our noble brother Ḥasan al-Ṣumālī (ḥafiẓahullāh) gives an extremely important reminder regarding the importance of good companionship, and the effects that good or bad companions can have one’s religion.

O Muslims! Fear Allāh and look to whom you befriend, for indeed a man is upon the religion of his friend, so look to whom you take as your close companions. Indeed our noble Messenger advised and informed us,

‘The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him.’ [al-Bukhārī (no. 2101 & 5534)]

Indeed good companionship from those who are upon the Sunnah and the methodology of the Salaf is of extreme importance in these times of fitan, prevalant with callers to the fire. Callers who come in what appears to be the garb of Sunnah, but yet conceal deviation and reviling and calling awaying from the Scholars beneath. It is important that the Muslims not be deceived into thinking that that we can take the good and leave the bad, for indeed the Shayṭān is the greatest of deceivers, and accompanying those who are away from the Qurʾān and Sunnah will lead to being lax in enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, until you find yourself in agreement with their views.

Published: June 12, 2015
Edited: April 28, 2022