47 – ʿAbd Allāh narrated to us; Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā ibn Abī Ḥātim al-Azdī reported, saying: Dāʾūd ibn al-Muhabbar, ʿAbbād ibn Kathīr and Ḥammād ibn Zayd all transmitted from Wāṣil, the client of Abū ʿUyaynah, who said:

“I was in Merv with Muḥammad ibn Wāsiʿ when ʿAṭāʾ ibn Muslim arrived together with his son ʿUthmān. ʿAṭāʾ asked Muḥammad, ‘Which deed in this world is the most virtuous?’ He answered, ‘Keeping company with upright companions and conversing with brothers when that companionship is founded upon righteousness and God-fearingness ⦗24⦘. Only then does Allah remove discord from among them, so maintain your ties and encourage one another. Yet there is no good in the company of companions or the conversation of brothers when they are slaves to their stomachs, for such people only hold one another back from the Hereafter.’

ʿAṭāʾ continued, ‘Abū ʿAbd Allāh, while I was still a youth standing in prayer, a man on horseback approached me and said, “Young man, adhere to righteousness and God-fearingness, for righteousness and God-fearingness lead to faith; and beware of lying and wickedness, for lying and wickedness lead to the Fire. Nephew, keep the company of Allah’s allies.” I asked, “By what sign shall I know Allah’s allies?” He said, “Allah’s allies are the discerning, intelligent, cautious ones who hasten to earn Allah’s pleasure and remain ever watchful of Him. When you see people with these qualities, draw near to them, for they are Allah’s allies.” I asked, “How, then, shall I recognize the people of hypocrisy, falsehood and wickedness?” He replied, “They are those whom, when you see them, your heart recoils and your mind finds no ease with them. Should you listen to their words you will hear speech that is sweet and tempting, yet brings no benefit. Beware of keeping company with the people of discord.” I asked, “Who are the people of discord?” He said, “Those who have abandoned the sunnah and the Book; they are slaves to their own whims. You will find them reclining while their hearts curse one another. Beware of these people and shun them. Hold fast to prayer, avoid Allah’s prohibitions, and seek closeness to Allah through supererogatory acts, for if you are grateful, knowledgeable and self-sufficient …”’ He added, ‘Then I turned around and saw nothing at all.’