Adab al-Suhba (Etiquette of Companionship)

How the scholars use Adab al-Suhba (Etiquette of Companionship).

1. "Those who love others not in relation to Allah do so out of ignorance and a deficiency in recognizing Allah the Exalted and the love of the Messenger. The hadith "What is familiar will find affinity" is recorded by Muslim from Abu Hurairah. It is mentioned in the context of the etiquette of companionship. We have elaborated on this in the book "Etiquette of Companionship," discussing love for the sake of Allah. It explains the wondrous reasons for love."

   — Imam al-Ghazali, Book 36: The Book of Love, Longing, Intimacy, and Contentment

2. "I will now advise you on codes of conduct in your social dealings with God's servant. servants, and companionship with them in this world. Section 3. Words on the etiquette of companionship. The etiquette of keeping company with Allah. Know that your true companion, who never leaves you in presence or absence, in sleep or wakefulness, in life or death, is your Lord and Master, Creator and Sustainer. Remember Him and He is with you, for Allah says, I am the companion of those who remember Me. When your heart breaks due to your shortcomings in religious duty, He is with you, for Allah says, I am with those who have broken hearts for My sake."

   — Imam al-Ghazali, The Beginning of Guidance

3. "When al-Walid shared this with Mu'awiya, he praised his father's wisdom. Disclosing a secret is considered betrayal and is forbidden if it causes harm. We have discussed keeping secrets in the book "Etiquette of Companionship," making repetition unnecessary. The thirteenth calamity is false promises. The tongue is quick to promise, but sometimes the soul may not permit fulfillment, making the promise a breach, which is one of the marks of hypocrisy."

   — Imam al-Ghazali, Book 24: Evils of the Tongue