A big black dog was seen lying down next to Malik ibn Dinar al-Basri, [one of the ascetic Muhaddithin from the Tabi’in (d. 131 AH)] so it was said to him, ‘O Abu Yahya! Can’t you see this dog lying next to you?’ He said, ‘It is better than an evil companion.’


‘Abd al-’Aziz ibn al-Khattab