Learning sociology and how the society affects our life, we would be amazed on how 3rd level of connection; meaning people who have connection with the people we know can actually increases our chances of getting obese to 10%. Do you want to guest what the chances are if that person is closer to us? well, having a close mutual friend that is obese would increase our chance of getting obese up to 171%. How about that?
This shows that human beings are highly influenced by their surrounding. Don't deny it because it is a fact; we human likes to interact and we are sociable. This is where "biah solehah" comes in. Biah solehah or 'good surrounding' , i might say , really helps us in improving ourselves. If we live in a good surrounding where people do only good deeds and bad things are a taboo, we will do only good things as we don't want to raise attention to ourselves or go against the surrounding.
That is why Islam really emphasized on the importance of having a 'good surrounding' where Islamic virtues are practiced every time, every where. It is important, not only to get Allah's blessing, but to ensure the safety of the people in the society.
It is not hard to do good if we are living in an environment where we see virtues every where we might look at. It would be easier to practice Islamic virtues and Islamic practices if we live in a surrounding that practice it and accept it as a way of life. Besides, there is nothing hard about it if you don't see it as a burden. (i am talking based on experience)
InshaAllah, He will always be there for us and guide us if we really works our way towards Him.
Source: Christakis, N., Fowler, J. The Spread of Obesity in a Large Social Network over 32 Years. The New England Journal of Medicine 2007; 357: 370-379.
