animal. Instead, due to the blessing of that company and connection, it becomes special and prominent among other animals.

For example, consider the dog of the People of the Cave (Aṣḥāb al-Kahf). It was an ordinary dog, but it developed love and affection for the People of the Cave رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم. Therefore, it became their companion, travel partner, and guard. Look at the blessings of the company of the Saints رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ! Its fate changed and its status became so high that Allah Almighty mentioned it in His pure speech, the Holy Quran, along with His chosen servants, the People of the Cave رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم. In Juzˈ 15, Surah al-Kahf, Verse 18, it is stated:

وَ كَلْبُهُمْ بَاسِطٌ ذِرَاعَیْهِ بِالْوَصِیْدِؕ-

and their dog is at the mouth of the cave with its forelegs outstretched.^[1]

Imam Abū ꜤAbdullāh Muhammad b. Aḥmad al-Qurṭubī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states:

When a dog reached such a high status by staying in the company of pious servants and Saints رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ that Allah Almighty mentioned it in the Holy Quran, then what do you think about a Muslim who loves the Saints رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ and gains benefit from their company? In fact, there is comfort (satisfaction) in this verse for those Muslims who do not hold a high spiritual rank. ^[2] This means there is comfort for them that they will be successful in the court of Allah Almighty because of their love and devotion.^[3]

May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to keep preparing for the Hereafter by following the lives of the pious predecessors.

اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                          صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد