The Salaf Would Make A Judgement of an Invididual By His Companionship

Aboo Hurayrah ( رضي الله عنه ), who said, “The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “A person is upon the Deen of his friend. So let each one of you look to whom he keeps as a friend.” [Reported by Ahmad (2/303), Aboo Daawood (no.4812) and at-Tirmidhee (no.2484).]

Al-Amash said, “They (the Salaf) did not used to ask anything more about a person after having asked about three affairs: Who he walks with, who he enters upon (i.e. visits) and who he associates with amongst the people.” Al-Ibaanah (2/478)

Abdullaah bin Masood  radiallaahu anhu – said, “Make consideration of the (regions of the) Earth by the names given to them and make consideration of a person by his companion.” Al-Ibaanah (2/479)

 

Imaam Al-Awzaa said, “Whoever hides his innovation from us will not be able to hide his companionship from us.” Al-Ibaanah (2/476)

Yahyaa bin Katheer said, “Sulaimaan bin Daawood alaihis salaam said: Do no pass a judgement over anyone with anything until you see whom he befriends.” Al-Ibaanah (2/464)

Ibn Masood – radiallaahu anhu – said, “Indeed a person walks alongside and accompanies the one whom he loves and who is like him.” Al-Ibaanah (2/476)

 

Abu ad-Dardaa – radiallaahu anhu – said, “It is from the fiqh (understanding of a person) that he [chooses] those whom he walks with, whom he enters upon (visits) and whom he sits with.” Al-Ibaanah (2/477)

Quoted Jamaal bin Fareehaan al-Haarithee the following narrations, under the chapter heading, “The Salaf Would Make A Judgement of an Invididual By His Companionship“, in “Lumm ad-Durr al-Manthoor”, checked, and revised by Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan.

Abu Qilaabah said, “May Allaah fight the poet [an expression of amazement in Arabic] who said: Do not ask about a man, but ask about his companion. For every person guides himself by his companion. This poetry is by Adee bin Zaid, and al-Asmaee said about it, “I have never seen a line of poetry which resembles the Sunnah more than this saying of Adee bin Zaid.” Al-Ibaanah (2/439

 Al-Imaam Adh-Dhahabee (رحمه الله ) mentioned in his Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh, that Sufyaan bin ‘Uyainah Aboo Muhammad al-Hilaalee (رحمه الله ) said: “If a man follows those who came before him he will be an Imaam (leader)for those who come after him.” Ash-Shaykh al-‘Allaamah Bakr bin ‘Abdillaah Aboo Zayd