Birds of a feather flock together. The souls of men are allied, like with like.
Characterless
It is reported from ʿAbdullāh b. Mas’ūd – Allāh be pleased with him – that he said:
“One should get used to the idea that if everyone on Earth disbelieved, you would not disbelieve. Do not be an im’ah (characterless).” He was asked, “And what is an im’ah?” He replied, “A person who says, ‘I am with the people (I do what they do).’ Verily, there is to be no following examples in evil.” Ibn Battah, Al-Ibānah Al-Kubrā Vol.1 p33.
Ibn Battah, Al-Ibānah Al-Kubrā Vol.1 p33.
Also read
Related sayings.
Being upon a good and right path is based on following the knowledge of the Companions and seniors: scholars and people who adhere to the Sunnah, whereas taking knowledge from minors like ignorant people and heretics is a sign of destruction.
It is reported that Ibn Mas’ūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said, “Whoever wants to honor his religion and do good to it should avoid mixing with the ruler or sitting with the followers of desires (heretics, people of bid’ah), for sitting with them is more contagious than scabies.” Ibn Waddāḥ, Al-Bida’ p136.