“Birds of a feather flock together”. Traditional societies have greatly emphasized the importance of intentional communities. You learn by living with others. We learn most from being and experiencing. As much as a person thinks they are protected or uninfluenced, their composition very likely will be subtly influenced by their environments and surroundings. People’s words, actions and energies are not just around us but they change our internal states. 

The word steadfast in this verse is beautiful. From a reflective and inner perspective, steadfastness is about being rooted in your soul, knowing who you are and staying connected to that truth. It is about remaining centered, aligned, and at ease within yourself. When we feel ungrounded, we may drift toward people, spaces, or situations that do not truly reflect us. Steadfastness invites us to pause and ask: what helps me feel anchored, clear, and whole?

Surrounding yourself with people that inspire you as much as possible is not just a recommendation but a duty. Even though Prophet Muhammad himself was blessed by God to remain steadfast, he was ordered to leave his birth city, Makkah and migrate to another city, Al Madina. One of the reasons is because of the extent of the influence environments and people have on us. Madina, became known as the Munawwara, or the illuminated or enlightened because of the Prophet’s presence and the people’s intentions and energy blessing this city.