said:
A man will follow the way of his close friend, so let each of you look at whom he takes as a close friend.
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2378; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1937)
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"A man will follow the way of his close friend" i.e., he will follow the habits and path of his friends; "So let each of you look" means, think long and hard about; "whom he takes as a close friend" means, whom he regards as a friend and a brother. So if you like a person's religious commitment and character, take him as a close friend, and if not, then avoid him. For characteristics are easily copied and keeping company with people has an effect on whether you will be good or bad.
