Riyad as-Salihin, 371

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "People are like gold and silver; those who were best in Jahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance) are best in Islam, if they have religious understanding; and the souls are like recruited soldiers, they get mixed up with those similar with them in qualities and oppose and drift away from those who do not share their qualities". [Muslim].

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏الناس معادن كمعادن الذهب والفضة، خيارهم في الجاهلية خيارهم في الإسلام إذا فقهوا، والأرواح جنود مجندة، فما تعارف منها ائتلف، وما تناكر منها اختلف‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏؟‏‎‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏وروى البخاري‏)‏‏)‏ قوله‏:‏ ‏"‏الأرواح‏"‏ من رواية عائشة رضي الله عنها‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 371

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) A Muslim is urged to endeavor to rectify himself and seek to enhance the good nature within himself. 2) Knowledge and good understanding of the religion are the greatest factors whereby souls are refined. {Indeed, he who purifies his soul will attain success.} 3) Souls familiarize with one another according to the nature upon which they are disposed. However, one should refine himself so that it would love and familiarize with righteous believers and keep away from disbelievers and sinners and have an aversion to them.

Related hadiths1

Sahih Muslim2638 bsahih