Companionship

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “To visit an Alim is better than a year’s worship, night vigil and fasting.” [Minhaaj ul Abideen by Imam Ghazzali]

How important companionship is can be gauged from the fact that those who enjoyed even briefly the companionship of Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) have been known throughout history by the title Sahabah - whose who experienced the Suhbat (influencing company) of Allah’s Messenger.

Those who pray are known as Mussali, those who give Zakat are known as Mozakki, those who perform Jihad in the path of Allah are known as Mojahid… The Sahabah did all of these things but they are not known as Musalli, Mozakki or Mujahid but by the term Sahabah. The most important aspect of their lives having been whose companionship they experienced.

The importance of keeping company with pious people cannot be overstated.

A short story to illustrate this point: A person wrote to Maulana Thanwi complaining of the anger within himself and seeking a cure. The reply furnished was, “Go and sit in the company of Maulana Muhammad Hasan Kakorwi who is the owner of Anwaar Book Depot.”

After some time the person wrote back to Maulana Thanwi informing him, “My anger is now under control. I continued going to the Maulana Sahib but not on a single occasion did he discuss anger or its cure, nor did he advise me on how to cure it. How and why has the anger which was so strong within me, subsided so much?”

Maulana Thanwi replied, “Due to the fact that Maulana (Kakorwi) is very tolerant by nature, due to the fact that patience, tolerance, and self restraint are intensely ingrained in him, your keeping company with him has allowed his patience and tolerance to be transferred to your heart.” [Peace of Mind by Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar]