Malfooz: Effects of Companionship

*Malfoozat-e-Hakeem-ul-Ummat Mujaddid-ul-Millat Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahimahullah)*

*The Effects of Companionship*

He stated: "If you wish to reform your character, then adopt the companionship of someone who possesses righteous character (Akhlaq-e-Hameedah), establish a connection with him, and follow him. This is the cure by which bad character is removed and good character is developed; this objective cannot be achieved merely through reading and teaching.

Companionship is an extraordinary thing; when it is attained under the proper conditions—meaning with the sincere intention of following—it is bound to be effective. Test it for yourself: if a short-tempered person who fights with people over every minor thing sits for a few days with a gentle and forbearing person, gentleness will develop within him. Conversely, if a mild-mannered and cool-tempered person sits for a few days with a short-tempered person or a person of authority, some sharpness and warmth will inevitably develop in him.

Sitting with a modest person produces modesty, sitting with a shameless person breeds shamelessness, sitting with a chatterbox leads to continuous babbling and trivial talk, and sitting with a dignified person creates silence and dignity. These effects are produced by companionship; they do not come from reading, writing, or studying books."

(Al-Sawq li-Ahl al-Shawq, Mawaiz-e-Ashrafiyyah, Volume 3, Page 96)