Ahmad bin Harb {May Allah have mercy upon him} said:
عبدت الله خمسين سنة، فما وجدت حلاوة العبادة حتى تركت ثلاثة أشياء: تركت رضى الناس حتى قدرت أن أتكلم بالحق، وتركت صحبة الفاسقين حتى وجدت صحبة الصالحين، وتركت حلاوة الدنيا حتى وجدت حلاوة الآخرة
“I worshiped Allah for fifty years, I wasn’t able to find the sweetness of worship until I abstained three things:
1} I abstained from seeking the acceptance of people, so I was able to speak the truth.
2} I abstained the companionship of the sinner, so I was able to accompany the righteous.
3} I abstained from the sweetness of the life of this world, so I was able to find the sweetness of the afterlife.”
{The Lives of the Noble Figures, Siyar A’lam an-Nubala’, Volume 11 pg. 34}
