Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Ilm (knowledge) without suhba (company of the pious) is not beneficial.
The islah (reformation) of a person with suhba and‘ ilm is easier compared to the person with ‘ilm but without suhba.
All the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were not scholars. Whatever they achieved they achieved through suhba. The people of Allah (Ahl Allah) have always taken care with regard to suhba. They concentrated more on suhba than ‘ilm.’