Imran bin Hattan (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates: I came to Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) and found him alone in the mosque, wrapped in a black cloak with a border. I said to him, "Abu Dharr! Why this solitude?" He replied, "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'Solitude is better than a bad companion, and a good companion is better than solitude. Writing a good word is better than silence, while silence is better than writing a bad word.'" Its chain is weak. Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Iman.