These types of people...

These types of people, whose number is not small, and whom we can safely say make up a large percentage of the followers of the path of truth(The Shi’a) If they are not classified as enemies of the Imam, it can safely be said are not true friends of the Imam either! Thus, the true followers of the Imam must keep their distance from such people.

In addition, one should also keep away from them when it comes to business dealings and working with them in other issues of life - except in the case of necessity. Of course, there is no problem in guiding them and taking them by the hand to enlighten them with the hope that this will have an effect on them and that some change may take place. Rather, this is actually obligatory (wajib) upon the true believer! However, in other than this situation, one must keep their distance from them.

One who associates with them, speaks with them and remembers them, will definitely forget the Imam even though they apparently may be righteous people. If being with a certain individual or speaking with him makes one forget the love of the Imam, then it is not worth associating with that person - even if he or she is not an enemy of the Imam and is a part of the nation of the Imam!

In essence, any person who makes a true believer negligent of his responsibilities to the Imam is not worth associating with! In addition, if a person does not help his brother or sister in their spiritual growth and achieving closeness to the Imam, then it is not advisable to associate with that person - even if they does not prevent one from these things.

The only people who are worthy of keeping company with are those who help one another on the path towards the Imam; those who have the same spiritual course in life; and those who have the same desires and goals and are actively awaiting the Imam. Of course, that which has been expressed in this responsibility does not go against the reciprocal rights that one must fulfill in relation to brothers in the faith.

For example, if one does not associate with a person who is not worthy of associating with, this does not mean that he has broken off family ties (which is a sin in Islam). Previous…