beginning of his ruin, because the effects of a bad company are extremely destructive; bad company throws a righteous person from a high standing to the dark pit of lowliness. Evil friends play a leading role in the increase of ills and the downfall of society; the one who associates with such people will one day also become like them and contribute to the ruin of the society.

Who to befriend and who not to?

Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen, Sayyiduna ‘Umar Farooq-e-A’zam رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ states: ‘Do not involve in any such thing which does not benefit you, and keep away from the enemy, and save yourself from friends, except for when he is trustworthy, for there is none equal to the trustworthy one. And do not be with the sinner, for he will teach you sins; and do not mention secrets before him. And seek counsel in your affairs from those who fear Allah Almighty.’ (Shu’ab-ul-Iman, vol. 4, p. 257, Hadees 4995)

Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen Sayyiduna Maula Ali رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said: ‘Do not befriend an open-sinner, for he will embellish his action and present it to you, and he will desire for you to become like him as well, and he will display his worst quality as a good one; him visiting you is a defect and a point of shame. And do not befriend a foolish person, for he will place himself into difficulty and not benefit you at all, and it is possible that he attempt to benefit you at times but afflict you with harm instead; his silence is better than his speech, distance from him is better than his closeness, and his death is better than his life. Do not befriend a liar either, for socialising with him will not benefit you, he will speak about you to others and speak about others to you, and if you speak the truth, even then he will not speak the truth. (Tareekh Ibn-e-‘Asakir, vol. 42, p. 516)

Sayyiduna Ja’far Bin Sulayman رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states the following: ‘I saw a dog following Sayyiduna Maalik Bin Dinar رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه, so I said, ‘O Abu Yahya! Such a thing with you?’ He replied, ‘This (dog) is better than an evil companion.’ (Mu’jam Awsat, vol. 1, p. 192, Hadees 641)

Dear Islamic brothers! You just heard of how detrimental a bad friend can be for one’s Dunya and Hereafter. Hence, safety lies in avoiding even the shadow of evil people, lest the company of bad people results in people