27. LET EACH OF YOU CONSIDER WHOM YOU BEFRIEND
I found myself affable in the companionship of friends. I observed and through experience found many of them envious of the blessings granted to others. (They are like) enemies who do not hide their slip-ups and are similar to people who know nothing about the rights of companionship, nor do they console their friend with their own wealth.
I pondered upon this and found that Allah Almighty does not want the believer’s heart to be attached to anyone but Him, so He turns the worldly life and its people against him so that he shows (more) affability’ {tins) with Him.
One must consider all people to be acquaintances; they contain no friends, but perhaps enemies. Do not reveal your secret to any of them, and do not consider anyone who is not able to assist in times of hardship to be a son, a brother or a friend.
Rather, treat them by the outward appearance and do not mingle with them except with care and when necessary. Otherwise keep away from them and focus on your own affairs, depending on Allah, because no one brings good or removes harm except Him. Let Him be your Companion and close Friend, and the direction of your dependence and complaint. If your sight weakens, seek His help; and if your certainty falters, ask Him for strength. Beware of inclining towards others, for He is protectively jealous, and beware of complaining of His decree, for He may become angry without admonishing.
Allah Almighty revealed to Yusuf {‘alayhi as-salam ), ‘Who got you out of the well? Who did? Who did?’ He said, ‘You.’ He said, ‘So why did you seek the help of another? I will extend (the period of) your imprisonment.’
Yusuf was exposed to this trial because of a permissible deed,
“Mention me before your master.” [Yusuf (12): 42]
and
“And [even] on the day of Hunayn when you were impressed with your great numbers.” [al-Tawbah (9):25]
I know not a real life except for him who knows Him, lives with Him and shows etiquette before Him in his words and actions as if he sees Him. He stands guard over his eye against an unfitting look; stands guard over his tongue against an erroneous word, and stands guard over his heart against admitting others in. He feels alienated from people and occupied with Him. Such is the state of spiritual people.
As for the one who mixes (his relationship with Allah with his relationship with people) will be overly troubled. The rightful only seeks what is higher and more proper. The poet said:
I do not like to walk, except to ascend
or lightening except if Yemeni
(Source: al-Hafiz Abu’l-Faraj ibn al-jawzl [d. 597AH] “CAPTURED THOUGHTS being” a translation of his masterpiece ‘Sayd al-K hatir)
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