given for the sin? Have we ever spent a night in our entire life worshipping Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ out of the fear of the punishment from Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ? Have we ever got frightened of sins by thinking about the displeasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ? Has any change occurred in our hearts due to the desire of attaining the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ?

If the answers to the abovementioned questions are in the affirmative, then think carefully: Have we been privileged to act upon the practical requirements of fearing Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ after getting into these states or we have merely become satisfied that we are amongst those who fear Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ when we get into these states.

If the answers to these questions are in the negative, then just ponder lest our heart become very hard due to committing sins abundantly and we are still unaware of these states because of its hardness. If there is something like this, so it is a matter of great concern because this hardness of the heart and negligence caused by it might throw us into the depths of the Hell. (وَالۡعِيَاذُ بِاللّٰه)

Effect of bad and good company

Dear Islamic brothers! Good company is very necessary for us to develop the true fear of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ in the heart. Because good company leads a man to perform good deeds, whereas bad company leads him to commit more and more sins. Alas! Today we do not abandon the company of bad friends and spend our precious time with friends in useless talks, fun, joy and non-serious activities. Remember! A bad friend can be a disaster for our faith. Our Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: A person follows the religion of his friend; he should see who he befriends. (Musnad Imam Ahmad, vol. 3, pp. 168, Hadees 8034)

Regarding this blessed Hadees Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has said: Before befriending a person test him if he obeys Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and His Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Pious Sufis have said that human nature has the quality of receiving. By the company of a greedy person, greed will be attained and by the company of a pious person, piety will be attained. (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 6, pp. 599)