Blessing of Allāh upon a youth and safety from misguidance: Ibn Shawdhab and Yūsuf Ibn Asbāt

Ibn Shawdhab (rahimahullaah) said:

“From the blessings of Allaah upon a youth when he devotes himself to the Religion is that he befriends a person of Sunnah who carries him and aids him upon it.”

A hasan narration reported by Al-Laalikaa’ee in “Sharh Usool I’tiqaad Ahlis-Sunnah” no. 31.

Yoosuf Ibn Asbaat (rahimahullaah) said:

“My father was a Qadaree (denier of the Pre-Decree) and my maternal uncles were Rawaafidh (despisers of the Companions) and then Allaah saved me through Sufyaan.”

And that is a reference to Imaam Sufyaan Ath-Thawree (died 161H); reported in “Sharh Usool I’tiqaad Ahlis-Sunnah” no. 32.

Imaam as-Sa’dee (rahimahullaah) said:

“Companionship with good people leads to beneficial knowledge, virtuous manners and righteous deeds, whilst companionship with bad people prevents one from all of this.”

See “Bahjatul-Abraar” p. 226.

‘Amr Ibn Qays al-Malaa’ee al-Koofee (rahimahullaah) said:

“If you see a youth in his beginnings with the people of misguidance and innovation then lose hope for him, for indeed a youth is upon his initial upbringing.”

See “Al-Ibaanah” of Ibn Battah, no. 44.

Allaah’s Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihi wassallam) said:

“Indeed the deeds of a person are based upon their endings.”

Reported by Bukhaaree (3202), Muslim (112) from Sahl Ibn Sa’d as-Sa’idee. Meaning what is it that a person dies upon? Is it Sunnah, Tawheed and piety, or bid’ah, sin, transgression and misguidance for it is said:

“Whoever is raised as a youth upon something, he will grow old and grey-haired upon it.”

Allaah’s Messenger (salallaahu `alaihi wassallam) said:

“Verily from the signs of the Hour is that knowledge will be taken from the lowly ones (al-asaaghir).”

(Reported by Ibn al-Mubaarak in “Az-Zuhd”, no. 61. Authenticated by Al-Albaanee in “As-Saheehah”, no. 695) Abdullaah Ibn Al-Mubaarak (died 181) said:

“The lowly ones (al-asaaghir) are the people of bid’ah.”

Authenticated by Al-Albaanee in “As-Saheehah”, no. 695. This further shows the importance of sticking to the people of Sunnah and to the elders, the scholars, those with experience, wisdom and knowledge.

These narrations show the importance of seeking guidance from Allaah, being sincere and not seeking the Dunyaa by using the Deen, being truthful, safeguarding the youth from misguidance, and keeping the best of friends and companions in religion.

Please read more:

Signposts of Guidance for Youth who Seek the Truth