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 Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, 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 Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. When all the guests arrived the Holy Prophet Salallahu alaihi wasallam 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 Sallallahu alaihi wasallam he testified and proclaimed Islam. After this the Holy Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam 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 Sallallahu alaihi wasallam 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 Sallallahu alaihi wasallam 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