Bismillah
[Beautiful Advice on Companionship & Solitude]
The Hanbali faqīh, Ibn ‘Abd al Qawī Al Mardāwī (d. 699 AH) said:
«وَفِي خَلْوَةِ الإِنْسَانِ بِالْعِلْمِ: أُنْسُهُ … وَيَسْلَمُ دِينُ الْمَرْءِ عِنْدَ التَّوَحُّدِ
“In a person’s solitude with knowledge lies his true solace, and his religion remains safeguarded when he embraces seclusion.
وَيَسْلَمُ مِنْ قَالٍ وَقِيلٍ، وَمِنْ أَذَى … جَلِيْسٍ، وَمِنْ وَاشٍ بَغِيْضٍ وَحُسَّدِ
He is protected from gossip and idle talk, as well as from the harm of troublesome companions, a spiteful tale-bearer, or an envious person
فَكُنْ حِلْسَ بَيْتٍ فَهُوَ سِتْرٌ لِعَوْرَةٍ … وَحِرْزُ الْفَتَى عَنْ كُلِّ غَاوٍ وَمُفْسِدِ
So remain a fixture in your home, as it conceals your faults and protects a young man from all deviant and corrupting influences.
وَخَيْرُ جَلِيْسِ الْمَرْءِ كُتْبٌ تُفِيْدُهُ … عُلُومًا وَآدَابًا، كَعَقْلٍ مُؤَيَّدِ
The best companions one can have are books that provide him with knowledge and noble manners, much like an intellect strengthened.
وَخَالِطْ إِذَا خَالَطْتَ: كُلَّ مُوَفَّقٍ … مِنَ الْعُلَمَا، أَهْلِ التُّقَى وَالتَّعَبُّدِ
And if you must interact with people, then choose to associate with each blessed one, whether they are scholars, pious individuals, or devoted worshipers.
يُفِيْدُكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ، وَيَنْهَاكَ عَنْ هَوًى … فَصَاحِبْهُ تُهْدَى مِنْ هُدَاهُ وَتُرْشَدِ
Such a companion will provide you with knowledge and restrain your whims; therefore, befriend him, and you will be guided by his advice and led in the right direction.
وَإِيَّاكَ: وَالْهَمَّازَ إِنْ قُمْتَ عَنْهُ … وَالْبَذِيَّ، فَإِنَّ الْمَرْءَ بِالْمَرْءِ يَقْتَدِي
Beware of the fault-finder when you leave his gathering, and avoid the foul-mouthed one, as a man tends to imitate his companions.
وَلاَ تَصْحَبِ الْحَمْقَى، فَذُو الْجَهْلِ إِنْ يَرُمْ … صَلاَحًا لأَمْرٍ يَا أَخَا الْحَزْمِ: يُفْسِدِ
Never associate with fools, for indeed an ignorant person, if he tries to fix a matter, O brother of prudence, will ruin it.
وَخَيْرُ مَقَامٍ قُمْتَ فِيْهِ وَخَصْلَةٍ … تَحَلَّيْتَهَا: ذِكْرُ الإِلَهِ بِمَسْجِدِ»
The highest position you can hold and the noblest trait you can possess is remembering Allah in a masjid.”
In summary: Ibn ʿAbd al-Qawī advises that being alone with knowledge brings true comfort and protects your faith. Solitude (at home and the masjid) keeps you away from gossip, tale-bearing, harm from bad companions, and envy, while concealing your faults.
He says books are the best companions, giving knowledge and refining character. When you do mix with people, choose the knowledgeable, the pious, and devoted worshippers, as they will teach you and advise you rightly.
He warns to avoid those who criticise others, speak foully, or spread tales, and to never keep company with fools, because you will imitate them, and fools often ruin what they try to fix.
Finally, he reminds us that the noblest act is remembering Allah in the masjid.
From UmarQuinn