The Effect of Companionship

Transcribed from the Islaahi Majlis conducted on 16/02/2023

Faqih Abu Laith Samarqandi Rahimahullah was a great jurist. He writes in one of his Kitaabs that if a person is in the company of eight people, then with each person, the consequences will be different. If he remains in the company of the wealthy, then the love and greed of Dunya will enter his heart. On the contrary, if he sits in the company of the poor, then he will be content and grateful to Allah Ta’ala for His bounties. This is in line with the teachings of the Hadith: “Look at those who are lower than you in matters of Dunya, and don’t look at those who are above you, lest you become ungrateful for the bounties of Allah Ta’ala upon you.”

Abdullah Bin Mubaarak Rahimahullah would keep company of the wealthy in his youth. He expressed his uneasiness and discomfort all the time due to seeing what others had, and desiring for that, or more. Allah Ta’ala then inspired him to keep company with the poor. This gave him great comfort and satisfaction.

Faqih Abu Laith Rahimahullah mentions further that if one keeps company with the Kings, it will harden the heart and pride enters a person. Such a person becomes impenetrable to spiritual discourses.

A person who keeps company with women, then his desires will increase constantly and ignorance will enter him, as he spends his time flirting and talking about futile things to make the females and himself happy.

By keeping company with children, a person spends his time entertaining them and making them laugh. The result of this is a person’s life will go by in just entertainment, whereas our objective and purpose of life is to prepare for the Aakhirah.

By remaining in the company of the disobedient, a person becomes bold in breaking the commands of Allah Ta’ala.

A person who keeps company with the Saaliheen, the desire to do righteous deeds enters the heart.

The effect of keeping company with the Ulama is that Allah Ta’ala grants a person Taufeeq of Taqwa and his knowledge will increase. So, from all the various groups mentioned, we learn that whoever one keeps company with, he will be influenced by his deeds and actions.

A pious person opted for Private Banking. After visiting the Bank and spending approximately half an hour with a non-Muslim lady giving a presentation on it, he was left feeling complete darkness within himself. All the spirituality that he had within him before he walked in there, was lost.

Maulana Thanvi Rahimahullah encourages one to stay in the company of the pious for a considerable period of time and witness the effect that it would have on him. If one cannot be in the company of the pious, then one should obtain literature of the pious. If one is unable to obtain a Kitaab of a pious person, then he should sit with the Muadhin of the locality. He is calling out to Allah Ta’ala five times a day, hence, remaining with him will also have an effect on a person.

Hadrat Hakeem Sahib Rahimahullah mentions that Allah Ta’ala gave various Ambiya different types of knowledge. Hadrat Adam Alaihis Salaam was taught the names of all the things of the world. Hadrat Khidr Alaihis Salaam was given knowledge on how the affairs of the world operate. Hadrat Yusuf Alaihis Salaam was given knowledge on interpretation of dreams. Hadrat Dawud Alaihis Salaam was given knowledge on how to manufacture armour. Hadrat Sulaiman Alaihis Salaam was given knowledge on communicating with the birds. Hadrat Isa Alaihis Salaam was given knowledge of the Taurah and Injeel. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was given knowledge of the Quraan, Hadith, Tauheed and Shariah.

REMAINING ON THE TRUTH

When a person is on Haqq, then he is faced with many challenges. Imaam Abu Dawud Rahimahullah states that Imaam Ahmed bin Hambal Rahimahullah never spoke of Dunya in his gatherings. His discussions pertained to the Aakhirah. His son Abdullah states that he would often supplicate in the following manner:

اللهم كما صنت وجهي عن سجودي غيري فصن وجهي عن المسئلة لغيرك

“O Allah!  As You have protected my face from prostration to someone else, protect my face from asking anyone else to fulfil my needs.”

Imam Ahmad was from Baghdad. Maymoon bin Azbagh was once in Baghdad when he heard a loud sound. He asked, “What sound is this?” He was informed that Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah was being tested. Maymoon Bin Asbagh went to see what the matter was. The people were not prepared to accept that the Quraan Sharif is an attribute of Allah Ta’ala and not the creation of Allah Ta’ala. After the first lash, Imaam Ahmad said , ” Bismillah!” Upon the second lash, he said, ” Laa Howla Wa laa Quwwata illah Billah!” On the third lash, he said, “The Quraan is the Kalaam of Allah Ta’ala.” When he was lashed the fourth time, he said, “Nothing will afflict us except that which Allah Ta’ala has decreed for us!” The lashing continued and when they struck him for the 29th time, the string holding Imaam Ahmad’s trouser up, was cut. As a result, the trouser slipped down to his leg. Imaam Ahmad looked up to the sky and uttered something. The trouser then miraculously moved back up and the string tied itself. A week later, Maymoon bin Azbagh visited Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah and asked, “What did you utter when you looked up to the sky?” Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah replied that he made Duaa to Allah Ta’ala, “O Allah! I ask you by that Name which filled your Arsh, if You know that I am on the Right Path today, then don’t expose my Satr in front of these people.”

Ahmad bin Muhammad Al-Kindi Rahimahullah said that, after the demise of Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah, he saw him in a dream. He asked Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah, “How did Allah Ta’ala deal with you?” Imaam Ahmad replied, “Allah Ta’ala forgave me.” He said, “Allah Ta’ala then asked me, “Were you lashed because of me?” I replied in the affirmative. Allah Ta’ala then revealed his countenance to Imaam Ahmad and told him to enjoy to his heart’s content. Being blessed with the countenance of Allah Ta’ala is the highest bounty of Jannah.

Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah was the student of Imaam Shafi’ee Rahimahullah. When Imaam Shafi’ee Rahimahullah heard about the lashing of Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah, he called for the clothes that Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah was wearing at that time when he was beaten. Imaam Shafi’ee Rahimahullah washed the clothes and then drank the water. Imaam Shafi’ee Rahimahullah then said that this was because of the virtue of Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah.

When his Janaazah was being carried through the streets, twenty thousand Kuffaar accepted Islam.

Mulla Ali Qari Rahimahullah states that, two hundred and thirty years after the demise of Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah, a pious person passed away in the same town. It was decided (due to his honour) that he should be buried near Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah. When they proceeded to bury him, the grave of Imaam Ahmad opened and they noticed that the Kafn of Imaam Ahmad Rahimahullah was still intact and his body had not decomposed. This is how Allah Ta’ala honours His noble servants. May Allah Ta’ala grant us Taufeeq to remain steadfast on the truth at all times.  Aameen!