45 – Chapter on visiting the people of virtue, sitting with them, keeping their company, loving them, asking them to visit you, seeking their supplications, and visiting blessed places.

Allah the Exalted says, “And when Moses said to his servant, ‘I will not cease until I reach the junction of the two seas, even if I must travel for ages …,’” up to His words, “Moses said to him, ‘May I follow you so that you teach me some of the guidance you have been taught?’” (18:60, 66).

He also says, “And keep yourself patient alongside those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face” (18:28).

[Explanation]

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—introduces a chapter about visiting the people of goodness, loving them, keeping their company, and requesting that they visit you.

The people of goodness are those of knowledge, faith, and righteousness, and loving them is obligatory, for the strongest bond of faith is to love for Allah’s sake and to hate for Allah’s sake. When a person’s love aligns with what Allah loves and his hatred aligns with what Allah hates, that person attains Allah’s friendship (wilāyah).

Moreover, when you sit with the people of goodness you are yourself in a state of goodness, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) likened the righteous companion to a seller of musk: he may give you some of it as a gift, or sell it to you, or at the very least you will enjoy a pleasant fragrance from him.