Introduction to the Study of The Holy Quran — Page 250
250 the Holy Prophet and, being impressed with their devotion to and love for the Holy Prophet, I had resolved in my mind that if I ever happened to be in the company of an Ansari, I would serve him like a servant. I am, therefore, only carrying out my resolve and you should not seek to dissuade me. " 316 This incident affirms that where one person truly loves another, his affection extends also to those who sincerely serve the object of his attachment. In the same way those who truly honour their parents are always deferential and considerate towards those who may be connected with their parents through bonds of affection or relationship. On one occasion the Holy Prophet stressed it as the highest virtue for a man to honour the friends of his father. Among the persons addressed was ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar. Many years after, while proceeding on Pilgrimage, he met a Bedouin and he made over to him his own mount and also presented him with his turban. One of his companions observed that he had been over-generous as a Bedouin would be pleased with very little. ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar said: "This man’s father was a friend of my father’s and I have heard the Holy Prophet say that it is one of the highest virtues for a man to honour his father’s friends. " Keeping Good Company He always preferred to keep company with the virtuous and if he observed any weakness in any of his Companions he admonished him gently and in private. Abu Musa Ash‘ari relates: "The Holy Prophet illustrated the benefit to be derived from good friends and virtuous companions and the injury to be apprehended from evil friends and vicious companions by saying: 'A man who keeps company with virtuous people is like a person who carries about musk with him. If he partakes of it he derives benefit from it, if he sells it he makes a profit out of it and if he merely keeps it he enjoys its perfume. A man who keeps company with evil persons is like one who blows into a charcoal furnace; all that he can expect is that a spark may alight upon his clothes and set them on fire or that the gas emitted by the charcoal may upset his brain'. " He used to say that a man’s character takes on the colour of the company he keeps and that therefore one should be careful to spend one’s time in the company of the good. 317 Safeguarding People’s Faith The Holy Prophet was very careful to safeguard against possible misunderstandings. On one occasion his wife Safiyyah came to see him in the mosque. When the time came for her to return home it had become dark and the Prophet decided to escort her to her house. On the way he passed by two men and, wishing to avoid any speculation on their part as to his companion, he stopped them and lifting the veil from the face of his wife said: "See, this is Safiyyah, my wife. " They protested saying: "O Messenger of Allah! why did you imagine that we should fall into any