Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Remaining in seclusion is better than being in evil company, and being in the company of the pious is better than being in seclusion.” [Re:- Baihaqi]
Remaining in the company of the pious has always proven beneficial but particularly in this day and age. Hadrat Thanvi Rahimahullah states that, “Being in the company of the friends of Allah in this day and age is Fardh-e-Ain (obligatory on every individual.) This is my Fatwa in this matter and who can have a shadow of doubt in this. I have gathered through experience that the safety of one’s Imaan is by remaining in the company of Ahlullah (friends of Allah).” [Re:- Basaair-e-Hakeem-ul-Ummat Pg.142]
Ml Thanvi Rahimahullah has written that Allah Ta’ala revealed scriptures to every Nabi. He could have sufficed on revealing scriptures only, which would suffice as guidance for mankind but, He didn’t suffice on just that. He would send a Nabi with the scripture. The importance of Suhbat is clearly understood from this.
It is for this reason Ml Rumi Rahimahullah stated that without the Kindness of Allah and His special servants, you cannot progress in this path of Sulook. [Jalaa’ul Quloob Pg.88]
Hadrat Hakim-ul-Ummat Rahimahullah says from experience that, people of knowledge come to me for Islaah but their character is not good. [Fawaaid-us-Suhbat Pg.49] The reason for this is that they have only read the books of knowledge but haven’t chosen the company of some Ahlullah (friend of Allah).
Judge Akbar Ilaahabadi states, It is not through Kitaabs, nor through lectures and not through wealth, Deen comes into a person through the gaze of pious.
Ml Thanvi Rahimahullah was asked a question. You are commanded in Shariat to stay away from evil company and remain with the pious. We accept this, but it is not possible to gather the both of them. If an evil person comes to sit in the company of a pious then he will run away saying, ‘I don’t associate with the evil,’.
Hadrat replied, “You asked an important question and Allah Ta’ala has inspired me (with the answer) at this juncture.” He said, “Generally the effect of the one that is being served (Sheikh) falls on the servant, the effect of the servant doesn’t fall on the one he is serving.”
Hadrat finally states that if one is unable to remain in the company of some pious servant then read the Kitaabs of a pious person. This Muta’laa would be a Ne’mal Badal (an excellent substitute) of Suhbat (company of the pious), and together with this engage in some Zikr, which is Noor (light) upon Noor (light).
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