(Malfooz #132) Molvi Abdul Majeed Sahib asked, “Children come and sit in the company of Hazrat Wala (Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi رحمه الله). Do they also benefit?”
Hazrat Moulana Thaanwi رحمه الله replied, “They also benefit, association generates familiarity and attachment. Benefit is attained proportionate to the level of familiarity and attachment”
He further mentioned, “A story comes to mind regarding familiarity being a means of benefit.
A Hindu residing in Muzaffar Nagar accepted Islam by sitting in the company of a Muslim. He was exiled from the town so he came to Kanpur. Deviated groups are constantly concerned of their numbers increasing. This poor man had no place to settle. He was wandering around like this when he met a Shi’a who took him home and entertained him. Thereafter he wanted to teach him his way of performing Namaz. The man replied, “This is some other style of Namaz. I will not read it (like this). My friend used to read Namaz in another way. That is the manner he taught me, the way I read and will read.” Saying this, he came to me. I was staying in Kanpur at that time. He narrated this entire incident. This protection (of his Imaan) was through the blessings of familiarity he had with his Muslim friend.
His leaving Kufr and entering the fold of Islam were all miracles of this familiarity and attachment.
(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat رحمه الله v.2 pg.100)