Our Salaf: Bishr Ibn Mansoor-Minimise the (number) of people you (want) to know

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

He (rahimahullaah) said: ”Minimise (the number) of people you (want) to know because you do not know what is going to happen; for if it is going to be open disgrace on the day of standing (i.e. day of judgement), then those who know you will be few.”

Bishr (rahimahullaah) once prayed for a long time and a man behind him was looking at him; so when Bishr finished, he reminded the man, saying: ”Do not be amazed by what you saw from me, because Iblees worshipped Allaah alongside the Angels for such and such time (i.e. before Iblees was cursed and condemned for his disobedience).

[Source: Seeratus Salaf As-Saaleh by: Imaam Ismaaeel Bin Muhammad Bin Fadl Al-Asbahaanee (535AH: Chapter: A mention of those who followed the companions in righteousness]