Anas bin Malik relates that the Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “There are three qualities; whosoever has them may taste sweetness of faith: first, one who loves Allah and His Messenger above all else; secondly, one who loves someone simply for the sake of Allah; and thirdly, one who abhors return to disbelief after Allah has rescued him from it, as he abhors being thrown into the fire (of hell).”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Man is submissive by nature. He wants to submit to a Supreme Being. But he does not know to whom and how he wants to submit. The Blessed Messenger puts it here in the right order: one who loves Allah and His Messenger more than all others and loves someone else for the sake of Allah can taste the sweetness of faith. His heart lights up with faith and he becomes steadfast. The Prophet’s Companions often used to address him: “O Messenger of Allah! Our parents are subordinate to you.”
A man loves his parents, wife and children. If his parents ask him to do something un-Islamic then his love for Allah emerges. The Blessed Messenger was the best husband to his wives. Immediately after listening to the call of Prayer, he rushed to the mosque as if he had nothing to do with them.
A steadfast Muslim should not adopt the company of such friends as run contrary to Islamic teachings. He should befriend only such persons as do not stand in his way, rather prove helpful in discharging his duties.