Bad
Company
If we were to ponder why people in general especially the
youth go astray from the straight path then it would have to be
the company that we keep. Many a time we have no intention of
committing a sin but because everyone else is keen on
committing it and because you don't want to be left out or
don't want to be called "sad" we get caught up in the moment
and go along with everyone else.
During that time of the Holy Prophet (SAW), a man named Uqba
Bin Aby Rabi'a used to invite all the wealthy and famous people
of the locality to his house for a big feast. Amongst those
invited was the Holy Prophet (SAW). When all the guests arrived
the Holy Prophet (SAW)told him that he would not eat until he
testified that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammed is
His true Messenger and servant. Uqba was a hospitable person
and he did not like the fact that someone comes to his house
but does not eat, so to please the Holy Prophet (SAW) he
testified and proclaimed Islam. After this the Holy Prophet
(SAW) started eating.
A few days later Abdullah ibn Ubay ibn Sulul (a very close
friend of Uqba Bin Rabi and the leader of the hypocrites) came
to Uqba and asked him what he had done. Uqba replied, "I only
did it so he would eat and I would not be humiliated in front
of everyone".
Abdullah Bin Ubai then told him, "If what you said is true
then go back to him and tell him that you did it only so he
would eat and then spit in his face". Uqba, wishing to please
his friend went to the Holy Prophet (SAW) and told him that he
had only testified so he would not be humiliated in front of
everyone and then he attempted to spit. Allah Ta'ala made it
happen such that the spit came back onto the face of Uqba and
they left two burning scars on either cheek. The Holy Prophet
(SAW) supplicated against him, the result of which was that
both Uqba and Abdullah ibn Ubay ibn Sulul were killed in the
battle of Badr.
This is why our pious predecessors always emphasise the need
to keep good company and the need to keep good relations with
the Ulama.
Now the question arises: How do we cut ties with the bad
friends that we already have? The answer to this is that you
should decrease the time you spend with them gradually. If you
spend five hours with them then spend four hours with them and
so on. Hopefully by seeing a change in you they also may
change.
May Allah enable us to keep company with the pious and the
Ulama. Ameen
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