What is the G-R-E-A-T-E-S-T of Losses??

Ibnul Qayyim رحمه الله said:

“The one with a D-E-A-D heart will make you feel lonely. So, take advantage of his absence as much as possible, because you will not feel lonely except when he is with you.

If you are put to trial with him, give him your outer attention, wander from him with your heart, separate your inner self from him, and do not let him distract you from what is more deserving of your attention. Know that the GREATEST of losses is for you to be preoccupied with one who will bring you nothing but a loss in your time with Allaāh – the Mighty and Majestic – and being cut off from Him, wasting of your time on him, weakening of your energy, and dispersing of your attention.  
 
So, if you are tested with this – and you must be tested with this – deal with him according to how Allāah would wish, and be patient with him as much as possible.

Get closer to Allāah and His Pleasure by way of this person, and make your getting together with him something to benefit from, not something to incur a loss from. Be with him as if you are a man who is on a road who was stopped by another man, who then asks you to take him on your journey. Make sure that you are the one who gives him a ride, and that he is not the one giving you the ride.
 

If he refuses, and there is nothing to gain from traveling with him, do not stop for him, bid him farewell, and do not even turn back to look at him, as he is a highway robber regardless of who he  is. So, save your heart, be wary of how you spend your days and nights, and do not let the Sun set before you arrive at your destination!!“

Al-Wabil as-Sayyib’ (pg. 45)

** Contributed to 'Duroos Muhim' - by Umm Saniyah al Britanniyyah