Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once wrote the following in a letter addressed to a student of Deen:

It is extremely important for a student of Deen to focus on his studies and to decrease meeting friends and interacting with people. Meeting friends and socialising with people is extremely detrimental to the acquisition of ‘ilm, and is considered a fatal poison for the student of Deen. Therefore, as far as possible, a student of Deen should avoid this. Similarly, a student should ensure that he does not fall short in showing respect to his Asaatizah (teachers) and honouring them, as showing disrespect to one’s Asaatizah causes one to be deprived of the barakah of the knowledge of Deen.

(Qutbul Aqtaab Hazrat Shaikhul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 503)

Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za