6. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman from Muhammad ibn Salim al-Kindi from those who narrated to him from Abu ‘Abdillah who said:

“Amir al-Mu’minin would say from the pulpit, ‘It is very proper for a Muslim not to establish brotherhood with three kinds of people: a vulgar, a fool and a liar.

As for the vulgar person, he polishes his acts for you and loves that you become like him. He does not help you in your religious matters and your life in the hereafter. Association with him is injustice and hardheartedness. His coming and going with you is a disgrace.

As for the fool, he does not show you anything good. There is no hope in his diverting any evil from you even if he may make an effort (to help). Perhaps he may like to benefit you, instead he harms you. His death is better than his living, his silence is better than his speaking, and his being at a distance is better than his being nearby.

As for the liar, he will never provide you a happy life. He narrates your words to others and the words of the others to you. Whenever he runs out of a story, he stretches one story to the other so much so that even if he may tell the truth it is not believed. He creates animosity among people and grows hatred in the hearts.

So fear Allah and look after your souls.’”