The friends of Allah have many characteristics. Below we mention them briefly.
1 : Following the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
The first characteristic of the friends of Allah is that they make following the Messenger their entire life. The way to attain the love of Allah Almighty is also that a person follows the Noble Messenger ﷺ. Accordingly, Allah the Exalted says:
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١﴾ قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ
“Say, if you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive your sins, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. Say, obey Allah and the Messenger; but if they turn away, then indeed Allah does not love the disbelievers.”
Thus it is proven that those who deviate from following the Messenger ﷺ are not loved by Allah Almighty.
2 : Love for the Noble Prophet ﷺ
One of the signs of the friends of Allah is that they love the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, more than anything, any individual, or any human being. Allah Almighty says:
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Say, if you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive your sins. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
At another place, it is stated:
قُلْ إِن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَاؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُوا حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ
“Say, if your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your family, your wealth which you have earned, and the trade whose decline you fear, and the houses you love are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah brings His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient.”
Abdur Rahman bin Nasir As-Sa’d, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the commentary of this verse:
“This noble verse is the greatest proof that the love of Allah Almighty and His Messenger, peace be upon him, is obligatory and takes precedence over the love of all other things.”
3 : Arrangement of Voluntary and Obligatory Fasts
The second characteristic is that they observe obligatory and voluntary fasts for the sake of Allah. It is stated in the Quran:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ﴿١٨٣﴾ أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ ۖ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ ۚ وَأَن تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous. [Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir As-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the explanation of these verses:
“Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, informs that He has favored His servants by making fasting obligatory upon them just as it was obligatory upon previous nations, because fasting is related to such laws and commands that are based on the welfare of creation in every era. Moreover, fasting encourages this Ummah to compete with others in completing good deeds and in hastening towards noble qualities. Also, fasting is not among the burdensome acts that are commanded only upon you in particular. Then Allah Almighty explained the wisdom behind the legislation of fasting by saying: لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ‘that you may become righteous,’ because fasting is the greatest cause of piety.
Therefore, fasting entails complete obedience to Allah’s command and total avoidance of what He has prohibited. This noble verse includes the aspects of piety that the fasting person abstains from eating, drinking, sexual intercourse, and all those things which Allah has temporarily forbidden for him, and which the soul inclines towards, but he abandons them solely for the sake of drawing near to Allah and hoping for reward, and this is piety.
The fasting person trains his soul to be constantly under Allah’s watchful eye, so despite having the power to fulfill his desires, he refrains from them because he knows that Allah is aware of them.
Fasting restricts the paths of Satan; Satan circulates within the son of Adam as blood circulates in his veins. Through fasting, Satan’s influence and control weaken, and sins decrease. In most cases, the fasting person’s good deeds increase, and good deeds are counted among the qualities of piety. When a prosperous fasting person tastes the hardship of hunger, this leads to compassion and support for the needy and poor, and this too is a characteristic of piety.”
4 : Giving Charity and Alms
The third characteristic is giving charity and alms. Allah the Exalted says:
قَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن صَدَقَةٍ يَتْبَعُهَا أَذًى ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَنِيٌّ حَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٦٣﴾ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُبْطِلُوا صَدَقَاتِكُم بِالْمَنِّ وَالْأَذَىٰ كَالَّذِي يُنفِقُ مَالَهُ رِئَاءَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۖ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌ فَأَصَابَهُ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَكَهُ صَلْدًا ۖ لَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ
“Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Free of need and Forbearing. O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah nor in the Last Day. His example is like that of a smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable to keep anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.”
At another place it is stated:
إِنَّ الْمُصَّدِّقِينَ وَالْمُصَّدِّقَاتِ وَأَقْرَضُوا اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا يُضَاعَفُ لَهُمْ وَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ كَرِيمٌ
“The men who give charity and the women who give charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan – it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.”
Also, it is stated:
لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا ۖ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ
“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; who establishes prayer and gives zakah; who fulfills his promise when he promises; and who is patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.”
They give zakah from their wealth for the sake of Allah to the poor. Allah the Exalted says:
وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا ﴿٥٤﴾ وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِ مَرْضِيًّا
“Relate in the Book [the story of] Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet. And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakah and was to his Lord pleasing.”
5 : Seeking Forgiveness
The fourth characteristic is that they constantly seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty. It is mentioned in the Quran:
سَابِقُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ أُعِدَّتْ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ
“(Come) hasten to the forgiveness of your Lord and a Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believed in Allah and His messengers. That is the bounty of Allah which He gives to whom He wills. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.”
The words of seeking forgiveness by Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) are mentioned in the Quran as follows:
قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
“Both said: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will surely be among the losers.”
وقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن الشيطان قال: وعزتك يا رب لا أبرح أغوي عبادك ما دامت أرواحهم فى أجسادهم . قال الرب ! وعزتى وجلالي لا أزال أغفر لهم ما استغفروني
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that Satan said: O Lord! By Your Honor! I will continue to mislead Your servants as long as their souls remain in their bodies. Then Allah the Exalted said: By My Honor and Majesty! I will continue to forgive them as long as they keep asking Me for forgiveness.”
6 : Remembering Allah
The fifth characteristic is that they remain constantly engaged in the remembrance of Allah Almighty.
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ﴿٢﴾ الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ﴿٣﴾ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَّهُمْ دَرَجَاتٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ
“Only those are the believers whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases their faith, and they put their trust in their Lord, who establishes prayer and spends out of what We have provided for them. Those are the truthful believers; they will have degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the commentary of these verses:
“Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, says that the hypocrites’ hearts neither remember Allah at the time of performing the obligatory acts nor at any other time; their hearts lack the light of faith, they have no trust in Allah, they do not pray in solitude, nor do they give zakat from their wealth. Such people are devoid of faith, but unlike the believers, their hearts tremble with the remembrance of the Creator. They perform the obligations, their faith shines when they hear the divine verses, it increases in confirmation, they trust no one but their Lord, they tremble with the remembrance of Allah, and they are encompassed by the fear of Allah. For this reason, they neither disobey commands nor do forbidden acts. As the command states, if any evil befalls them, they remember Allah and then seek forgiveness for their sins. Indeed, there is no forgiver of sins except Allah Almighty. These people, despite knowledge, do not persist in any sin.”
7 : Repentance
The sixth characteristic of the friends of Allah is that if they commit any sin, they immediately repent before Allah Almighty. Allah loves such people. Allah Almighty says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
“Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves.”
At another place, it is stated:
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَأُولَٰئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا
“Except those who repent, believe, and do righteous work. For them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.”
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : التائب من الذنب كمن لا ذنب له
The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The one who repents from sins is like one who has no sin on him.
8 : Returning to Allah
Their seventh characteristic is that they turn only to Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty says:
فَفِرُّوا إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ إِنِّي لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ
“So run to Allah; indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.”
In another place, it is said:
وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا
“And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with complete devotion.”
Also, He said:
Further He said:
وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَارْغَب
“And incline your face toward your Lord.”
شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ ۖ أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ ۚ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ ۚ اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ
“Allah has chosen for you the religion which He commanded Noah to establish, and which We have revealed to you, and which We commanded Abraham, Moses, and Jesus to uphold, that you not divide therein. Those to whom you invite are averse to it. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills, and whoever turns to Him, He guides to the right way.”
9 : Trusting in Allah Almighty
One characteristic of the friends of Allah Almighty is that they trust in Allah Almighty.
This matter is described in the Quran as follows:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ هَمَّ قَوْمٌ أَن يَبْسُطُوا إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فَكَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
“O you who have believed! Remember the favor of Allah upon you when a people intended to extend their hands against you, but Allah restrained their hands from you; and fear Allah. And upon the believers should rely [only] on Allah.”
عن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه أخبره أنه غزا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قبل نجد فلما قفل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قفل معه فنزل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وتفرق الناس فى العضاء يستظلون بالشجر ونزل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم تحت سمرة فعلق بها سيفه قال جابر فنمنا نومة فإذا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يدعونا فجئناه فإذا عنده أعرابي جالس . فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إن هذا اخترط سيفي وأنا نائم فاستيقظت وهو فى يده صلنا فقال لي! من يمنعك مني؟ قلت الله فها هو جالس ثم لم يعاقبه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
“Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stopped at a place, and people went searching for shady trees here and there. The Prophet (peace be upon him) took off his weapons and hung them on a tree. A Bedouin came, took the sword in his hand, pulled it, and stood near the Prophet (peace be upon him), saying: Now tell me, who can save you from me? The Prophet immediately replied: Allah Almighty. He asked the same question again, and the Prophet gave the same answer. On the third time, with the same answer, the sword fell from his hand. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) called the companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and when they came, he narrated the whole incident to them. The Bedouin was still present, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not take any revenge from him.”
Further, it is stated:
إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَعَلَيْهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
“The command is only for me; I rely upon Him, and let those who trust [in Allah] rely upon Him.”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir As-Sa’di (may Allah have mercy on him) writes in the tafsir of this verse: انِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ “The command is only Allah’s,” meaning the decision is that which Allah decides, and the command is that which He commands; so whatever decision Allah makes will surely come to pass. عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ “I rely upon Him,” meaning the causes I have advised you to take, I do not rely upon them, but I rely upon Allah Almighty. وَ عَلَيْهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُتَوَكَّلُونَ “And upon Him let those who rely [in Allah] rely.” Because through Him alone every desired goal is achieved, and through Him alone every fear is removed.
In another place it is stated:
إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
“He has no power over those who have believed and put their trust in their Lord.”
10 : Having Fear of Allah
The tenth characteristic of the people of Allah is that their hearts are filled with the fear of Allah. Due to the fear of Allah, their bodies tremble. The Quran describes this as follows:
وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.”
At another place it says:
إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
“The only informer is Satan who frightens his allies. So do not fear them, but fear Me, if you are believers.”
11 : Patience and Endurance
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Allah Almighty says:
من أذهبت حبيبتيه فصبر واحتسب لم أرض له ثوابا دون الجنة
“If I take away the eyesight of a person and he remains patient with the intention of earning reward, then I will not be pleased with any reward for him less than Paradise.”
Allah Almighty loves those who are patient, as He says:
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِيٍّ قَاتَلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ فَمَا وَهَنُوا لِمَا أَصَابَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُوا وَمَا اسْتَكَانُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِينَ
Many prophets have passed away with numerous righteous people who fought in the way of Allah. Despite the hardships they faced in the path of Allah, they neither lost courage, showed weakness, nor were they defeated. Allah loves those who remain steadfast and patient in this way.”
12 : Performing Righteous Deeds
One characteristic of the friends of Allah Almighty is that they perform righteous deeds enthusiastically. Allah Almighty has said about them:
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
“And those who believe and do righteous deeds – they are the inhabitants of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.”
Abdul Rahman As-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, wrote in the commentary of this verse:
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا That is, those people who believe in Allah Almighty, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Day of Judgment وَعَمِلُوا الصّلِحت and perform righteous deeds, and deeds do not fall under the category of righteous deeds without the following two conditions:
❀ They must be solely for the pleasure of Allah Almighty.
❀ They must be according to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
“The essence of these verses is that only the believing people who do righteous deeds deserve salvation and success, and those who perish and become inhabitants of Hell are those who associate partners with Allah Almighty and disbelieve in Him.”
13: Do not be heedless of the remembrance of Allah
The command of the Exalted Allah is:
إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ وَقُلْ عَسَىٰ أَن يَهْدِيَنِ رَبِّي لِأَقْرَبَ مِنْ هَٰذَا رَشَدًا
“And remember your Lord when you forget, and say, ‘I hope my Lord will guide me to a way that is nearer than this to righteousness.'”
14 : If you become heedless
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ
“O Muslims! Let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And those who do so are the losers.”
Fadhilat Sheikh Abdul Rahman As-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the commentary of this verse:
Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, commands His believing servants to engage abundantly in remembrance because it brings benefit, success, prosperity, and countless good things. Allah has forbidden them from being preoccupied with the love of wealth and children to the extent that they become heedless of the remembrance of Allah, because the love of wealth and children is often a natural disposition of the self. Therefore, they prefer the love of wealth and children over the love of Allah, and this is a great loss. Hence, it is said: وَمَنْ يَفْعَلُ ذلِكَ “Whose wealth and children divert them from the remembrance of Allah” فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْخَسِرُونَ “Those are the ones who are the losers.” They are losers in terms of eternal happiness and everlasting blessings because they preferred the perishable over the everlasting. Allah, the Exalted, said:
إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
“Indeed, your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward.”
15 : Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
The fourteenth characteristic of the friends of Allah is that they enjoin good and forbid evil. It is stated in the Quran:
وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“And there should be among you a group who call to goodness, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong. Those are the ones who will be successful and prosperous.”
16 : Remembering Death and Being Concerned About the Hereafter
The command of the Almighty Allah is:
وَلَقَدْ كُنتُمْ تَمَنَّوْنَ الْمَوْتَ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَلْقَوْهُ فَقَدْ رَأَيْتُمُوهُ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ
“Before this, you used to wish for death to come to you, but now you have seen it with your own eyes.”
Furthermore, the honorable saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is:
أكثروا ذكرها ذم اللذات يعني الموت
“Frequently mention death, which ends all pleasures.”
In the Holy Quran, it is stated:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
“O you who have believed! Fear Allah, and let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow (i.e., the Day of Judgment), and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”
The above-mentioned noble verse holds a fundamental position in the chapter of “Remembrance of the Hereafter,” that is, self-accountability.
17 : Avoiding Showing Off and Ostentation
The friends of Allah also avoid ostentation. Because they are well aware that ostentation nullifies righteous deeds. The Quran states:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُبْطِلُوا صَدَقَاتِكُم بِالْمَنِّ وَالْأَذَىٰ كَالَّذِي يُنفِقُ مَالَهُ رِئَاءَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۖ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌ فَأَصَابَهُ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَكَهُ صَلْدًا ۖ لَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٢٦٤﴾وَمَثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ وَتَثْبِيتًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةٍ بِرَبْوَةٍ أَصَابَهَا وَابِلٌ فَآتَتْ أُكُلَهَا ضِعْفَيْنِ فَإِن لَّمْ يُصِبْهَا وَابِلٌ فَطَلٌّ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ ﴿٢٦٥﴾ أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن تَكُونَ لَهُ جَنَّةٌ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَابٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ لَهُ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ وَأَصَابَهُ الْكِبَرُ وَلَهُ ذُرِّيَّةٌ ضُعَفَاءُ فَأَصَابَهَا إِعْصَارٌ فِيهِ نَارٌ فَاحْتَرَقَتْ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ
“O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah nor in the Last Day. His example is like that of a smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable to keep anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people. The example of those who spend their wealth seeking Allah’s pleasure and believing in Him and in the Last Day is like a garden on a high ground, watered by heavy rain, which yields its fruit twofold. And if it does not receive heavy rain, then a drizzle is sufficient. And Allah is Seeing of what you do. Would any of you wish to have a garden with date palms and vines, with rivers flowing underneath, and all kinds of fruits for him therein, while he is stricken with old age, and his children are weak, then it is struck with a fiery whirlwind so that it is burned? Thus does Allah make clear His verses to you that you might give thought.”
18 : Leaving the Dispute
The command of the Almighty Allah is:
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ
“And (those believers) who avoid vain talk.”
Abdur Rahman As-Sa’d Rahimahullah writes in the exegesis of this verse:
“Here, ‘vain’ refers to speech that has no goodness and no benefit. مُعْرِضُونَ ‘They avoid’ means they keep themselves free and superior from vain talk; whenever they pass by something vain, they pass with great dignity. And when they avoid vain talk, it is even more appropriate that they avoid forbidden deeds. When a person controls his tongue from vain matters except goodness, the matter comes under his control, as in
عن معاذ بن جبل قال ألا أخبرك بملاك ذلك كله؟ قلت بلى يا نبي الله! فأخذا بلسانه قال: كف عليك هذا
When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was advising Mu’adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: “Shall I not inform you of the thing upon which all these matters depend?” Sayyiduna Mu’adh said: I said, “Yes, please inform me.” So the Prophet (peace be upon him) held his tongue and said: “Control it.”
Thus, among the praiseworthy qualities of the believers is that they restrain their tongues from vain talk and forbidden matters.
19 : Being Trustworthy and Honest
One characteristic of the friends of Allah is that they deal with trustworthiness and honesty.
It is stated:
وَإِن كُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ وَلَمْ تَجِدُوا كَاتِبًا فَرِهَانٌ مَّقْبُوضَةٌ ۖ فَإِنْ أَمِنَ بَعْضُكُم بَعْضًا فَلْيُؤَدِّ الَّذِي اؤْتُمِنَ أَمَانَتَهُ وَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ رَبَّهُ ۗ وَلَا تَكْتُمُوا الشَّهَادَةَ ۚ وَمَن يَكْتُمْهَا فَإِنَّهُ آثِمٌ قَلْبُهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ
“And if you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then let there be a pledge taken. And if one of you entrusts another, let him who is entrusted discharge his trust, and fear Allah, your Lord. And do not conceal testimony, for whoever conceals it—his heart is indeed sinful. And Allah is Knowing of what you do.”
In another place it is stated:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَخُونُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ وَتَخُونُوا أَمَانَاتِكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٢٧﴾ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿٢٨﴾ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّكُمْ فُرْقَانًا وَيُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ
“O you who have believed, do not betray Allah and the Messenger or betray your trusts while you know [the consequence]. And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward. O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.”
20 : Staying Away from Immorality
One of their characteristics is that they avoid evil and obscene deeds. Allah the Exalted says:
قُلْ تَعَالَوْا أَتْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ أَلَّا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا ۖ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُم مِّنْ إِمْلَاقٍ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ ۖ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
“Say, ‘Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you: that you should not associate anything with Allah, and be good to parents, and do not kill your children for fear of poverty—we provide for you and them—and do not approach immoralities, whether openly or secretly, and do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right. This He has instructed you that you may understand.'”
He also said:
قُلْ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَالْإِثْمَ وَالْبَغْيَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَأَن تُشْرِكُوا بِاللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَانًا وَأَن تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
“Say, ‘Indeed, my Lord has only forbidden immoralities—what is apparent of them and what is concealed—and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.'”
21 : Avoiding Hidden and Apparent Sins
The command of the Lord of the Worlds is:
وَذَرُوا ظَاهِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَبَاطِنَهُ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ الْإِثْمَ سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِمَا كَانُوا يَقْتَرِفُونَ
“And abandon open sin and secret sin. Indeed, those who commit sin will be recompensed for what they used to do.”
Abdul Rahman As-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the interpretation of this verse:
“Here, اثم refers to all sins that make a servant sinful, meaning those matters that involve sin and harm related to the rights of Allah Almighty and His servants. So Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has forbidden His servants from committing both apparent and hidden sins, that is, He has prohibited all those sins related to the body, limbs, and heart, whether done secretly or openly. A servant cannot completely abandon apparent and hidden sins until he gains knowledge of them through discussion and investigation. Therefore, it is absolutely obligatory upon the responsible person to research and investigate sins, to gain knowledge of the sins of the heart and limbs. Many people’s sins remain hidden, especially the sins of the heart, such as arrogance, self-admiration, and showing off. The servant commits many of these sins without even realizing or being aware of them, and this happens due to neglect of knowledge and lack of insight. Then Allah Almighty informs that those who commit apparent and hidden sins will be punished according to their deeds and the quantity and quality of their sins, and this punishment will be in the Hereafter. Sometimes, a servant is punished in this world, which reduces his evil and sins.”
22 : Seeking the Pleasure of Allah
The friends of Allah remain seekers of their Lord’s pleasure. The Divine command is:
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
“There is among the people one who sells himself seeking the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is Most Kind to His servants.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
من التمس رضاء الله بسخط الناس كفاه الله مونة الناس ، ومن التمس رضاء الناس بسخط الله وكله الله إلى الناس
“Whoever displeases people to seek the pleasure of Allah, Allah suffices him against the difficulties of the people, and whoever displeases Allah to please people, Allah leaves him to the people.”
23 : Benevolence and Doing Good
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
الدين النصيحة ، قلنا : لمن؟ قال: لله ولكتابه ولرسوله ولأئمة المسلمين عامتهم
“Religion is the name of goodwill.” The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked: For whom? He said: For Allah, for His Book, for His Messenger, for the rulers of the Muslims, and for the common Muslims (Religion is the name of sincerity).”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
من آتى إليكم معروفا فكافتوه
“Whoever does good to you, you should also repay him with good.”
24 : Being Thankful
The friends of Allah express gratitude to their Lord for His blessings. It is stated:
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
“Remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and do not be ungrateful.”
Abdul Rahman As-Sa’d, may Allah have mercy on him, wrote in the commentary of this verse:
Allah Almighty said: فَاذْكُرُونِي اذْكُرُكُمْ “So remember Me; I will remember you.” Allah Almighty has commanded His remembrance and promised the best reward for it, which is that Allah Almighty remembers the person who remembers Him, as Allah Almighty said through the blessed tongue of His Messenger, peace be upon him: “Whoever remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart; whoever remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a better gathering.”
The best remembrance is that in which the heart and tongue are in harmony, and through this remembrance, one attains knowledge of Allah, His love, and abundant reward. Divine remembrance is the foundation of gratitude, which is why Allah Almighty has specifically commanded it, followed by the general command of gratitude. Thus, He said: وَاشْكُرُ ولي “And be grateful to Me,” meaning be thankful for the blessings I have bestowed upon you and for removing various hardships and calamities from you. Gratitude begins in the heart with acknowledgment of blessings, is expressed by the tongue through mention and praise, and is manifested by the limbs through obedience to His commands and avoidance of His prohibitions. Therefore, gratitude reflects the desire for the continuation of existing blessings and the acquisition of lost (new) blessings.
Allah Almighty says:
لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor].”
The command to be grateful for religious blessings such as knowledge, purification of character, and the ability to act upon it indicates that these are the greatest blessings, indeed the true blessings that endure, while other blessings may perish. For all those who have been granted the ability to acquire knowledge and act upon it, it is appropriate to express gratitude to Allah Almighty so that His grace increases upon them, and so that arrogance and self-conceit are removed, and they remain engaged in the gratitude of Allah Almighty.”
The Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
إن أشكر الناس لله أشكرهم للناس
“The most grateful person among people to Allah is the one who is most grateful to people.”
25 : Fulfilling Promises
One characteristic of the friends of Allah is that they fulfill the promises they make. Allah the Exalted says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ
“O you who have believed! Fulfill the covenant.”
In another place, He says:
وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ إِذَا عَاهَدتُّمْ وَلَا تَنقُضُوا الْأَيْمَانَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا وَقَدْ جَعَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْكُمْ كَفِيلًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ
“And fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have taken it, and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made Allah your surety. Indeed, Allah knows what you do.”
Also, the command of Allah the Exalted is:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٢﴾ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ اللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ
“O you who have believed! Why do you say what you do not do? It is most hateful to Allah that you say that which you do not do.”
25 : Being Sincere
One of their characteristics is that they do every task with sincerity. It is stated:
وَلَقَدْ هَمَّتْ بِهِ ۖ وَهَمَّ بِهَا لَوْلَا أَن رَّأَىٰ بُرْهَانَ رَبِّهِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَ ۚ إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ
“So when she saw his intent, she sought to seduce him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord. Thus We averted from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
إن الله لا يقبل من العمل ، إلا ما كان له خالصا ، وابتغي به وجهه
“Indeed, Allah only accepts that deed which is sincere and through which His pleasure is sought.”
26 : Being Just
One of their characteristics is also justice. Allah Almighty says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
“O you who have believed! Stand firmly for Allah as witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”
27 : Along with Justice
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ ۖ وَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۖ وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَاعْدِلُوا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۖ وَبِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ أَوْفُوا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
“And do not approach the orphan’s property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not burden any soul beyond what it can bear. And when you speak, be just, even if it concerns a near relative. And fulfill the covenant of Allah. This He has instructed you that you may take heed.”
28 : Being Moderate
One of their characteristics is that they act with moderation. It is stated:
وَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا ﴿٢٦﴾ إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوا إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ ۖ وَكَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ لِرَبِّهِ كَفُورًا ﴿٢٧﴾ وَإِمَّا تُعْرِضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ابْتِغَاءَ رَحْمَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ تَرْجُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّيْسُورًا ﴿٢٨﴾ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبْسُطْهَا كُلَّ الْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُومًا مَّحْسُورًا
“And give the due rights to relatives, the poor, and travelers, and avoid extravagance and wastefulness. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and the devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord. And if you turn away from them seeking the mercy of your Lord, which you hope for, then speak to them kindly and gently. Do not keep your hand tied to your neck, nor stretch it out completely, lest you be blamed and regretful.”
Also, it is said:
وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًا
“And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor stingy, but hold a medium way between those extremes.”
29. Doing Good Deeds
He said:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُبْطِلُوا صَدَقَاتِكُم بِالْمَنِّ وَالْأَذَىٰ كَالَّذِي يُنفِقُ مَالَهُ رِئَاءَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۖ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌ فَأَصَابَهُ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَكَهُ صَلْدًا ۖ لَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ
“O you who have believed! Do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah nor in the Last Day. His example is like that of a smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a heavy rain, leaving it bare. They gain nothing from their deeds. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
ومن آتى إليكم معروفا فكافتوه
“He who is treated with kindness and goodness should repay it.”
30 : Maintaining kinship ties
One of their characteristics is that they maintain ties of kinship with everyone. It is stated:
وَالَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَيَخَافُونَ سُوءَ الْحِسَابِ
“And those [relations] whom Allah has ordered to be joined, they join them, and they fear their Lord and are afraid of the evil account.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
من سره أن يبسط له فى رزقه و أن ينسأ له فى أثره فليصل رحمه
“Whoever wishes for his provision to be expanded and his life to be prolonged, let him maintain ties of kinship.”
31 : Observing the Prayer Regularly
The friends of Allah are very strict in observing prayer; about them Allah Almighty has said:
الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
“Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.”
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
والذي نفسه بيده ، لقد همممت أن أمر بحطب ليحطب ثم آمر بالصلاة فيؤذن لها ، ثم امر رجلا فيوم الناس ، ثم أخالف إلى رجال فأحرق عليهم بيوتهم
“There are two types, by Him in Whose Hand is my soul! I have intended to order someone to gather firewood, then to call for prayer (Adhan), then to prepare a person for leading the prayer (Imamat), then to set fire to the houses of those who do not join the congregation.”
32 : Remaining Steadfast
They are characterized by the quality of steadfastness. The Divine command is:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿١٣﴾ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“Indeed, those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained steadfast – there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. Those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally for what they used to do.”
At another place, it is stated:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ ﴿٣٠﴾ نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَاؤُكُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي أَنفُسُكُمْ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ
“Indeed, those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained steadfast – the angels will descend upon them, [saying], ‘Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised. We [angels] were your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter. And you will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you request.'”
Abdur-Rahman As-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
Allah Almighty mentions His friends and, in this regard, instills enthusiasm among the believers and encourages them to follow their example. Thus He said: إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا “Indeed, those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ then remained steadfast upon it,” meaning those who acknowledged Allah’s Lordship and declared it, were content with Allah’s Lordship, submitted humbly to His command, and then, in terms of knowledge and action, proceeded steadfastly on the straight path. For them is glad tidings in this world and the Hereafter.
تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَئِكَةُ “Angels descend upon them (with great honor and respect).” Meaning their descent is repeated. They come to them and give glad tidings. اَنْ لَّا تَخَافُوا “Do not fear,” meaning do not fear what will befall you in the future. وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا “Nor grieve,” meaning do not grieve over what has passed. It is as if any unpleasant matter from the past or future has been negated for them. وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ “And give glad tidings of Paradise which you were promised.” This Paradise has become obligatory for you; Allah’s promise will surely be fulfilled.
He encourages their courage for steadfastness and gives them glad tidings, saying as well: نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَاؤُكُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ “We are your allies in worldly life and in the Hereafter.” They encourage them towards goodness in this world and adorn goodness before them. They warn them against evil and present evil as detestable in their hearts. They pray for them from Allah Almighty and keep them steadfast in times of trials and fearful situations, especially the hardships of death, the darkness of the grave, the terrifying scene on the Day of Judgment at the Bridge of Sirat. They increase their courage and congratulate them on the honor and respect granted by their Lord in Paradise, and upon entering every gate, they say to them:
سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُم بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ ۚ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ
“Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.”
33 : Performing the obligation of Hajj at the earliest opportunity
When Hajj becomes obligatory, that is, when a person is financially able, performing Hajj is a special characteristic of the people of faith and the friends of Allah. Accordingly, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
من حج فلم يرفث ولم يفسق رجع كيوم ولدته أمه
“Whoever performs Hajj and then neither indulges in lustful talk nor disobeys Allah and His Messenger, when he returns from Hajj, it is as if he was born anew today by his mother.”
34 : Avoiding shirk (associating partners with Allah)
One characteristic of the friends of Allah is that they avoid associating partners with Him.
Allah the Exalted says:
قُلْ أَفَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ تَأْمُرُونِّي أَعْبُدُ أَيُّهَا الْجَاهِلُونَ ﴿٦٤﴾ وَلَقَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ ﴿٦٥﴾ بَلِ اللَّهَ فَاعْبُدْ وَكُن مِّنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ ﴿٦٦﴾ وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ وَالْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالسَّمَاوَاتُ مَطْوِيَّاتٌ بِيَمِينِهِ ۚ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
“Say, then, do you order me to worship other than Allah, O ignorant ones? And indeed, to you has been revealed and to those before you that if you associate others with Allah, surely your deeds will be in vain, and you will surely be among the losers. Rather, worship Allah alone and be among the grateful. And they did not appreciate Allah with the appreciation due to Him, while the earth entirely will be in His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.”
In a hadith it is stated,
جاء حبر من الأحبار إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: يا محمد إنا نجد أن الله يجعل السموات على إصبع ، والأرضين على إصبع ، والشجر على إصبع ، والماء والثرى على إصبع ، وسائر الخلائق على إصبع ، فيقول: أنا الملك ، فضحك النبى حتى بدت نواجده تصديقا لقول الحبر ثم قرأ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم :﴿وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقٌّ قَدْرِهِ﴾
A Jewish scholar came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said that we find in the scriptures about Allah that on the Day of Judgment He will hold the heavens on one finger, the earths on one finger, the trees on one finger, the water and the living beings on one finger, and all creatures on one finger, and He will say: I am the King. The Prophet (peace be upon him) smiled and confirmed this and recited the verse وَمَا قدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِه.
35 : The Fate of the Polytheist
لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَقَالَ الْمَسِيحُ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ
“Indeed, those who said, ‘The Messiah, son of Mary, is Allah,’ have disbelieved. Yet the Messiah himself said to them, ‘O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ Believe that whoever associates partners with Allah, Allah has forbidden Paradise for him. His abode is the Fire, and there will be no helper for the wrongdoers.”
36 : Sacrificing wealth and life in the way of Allah
A prominent characteristic of the friends of Allah is that they sacrifice their wealth, their lives, in short, everything in the way of Allah. Allah Almighty says:
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ الطَّاغُوتِ فَقَاتِلُوا أَوْلِيَاءَ الشَّيْطَانِ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَ الشَّيْطَانِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا
“Those who believe fight in the way of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the way of Taghut (false deities). So fight against the allies of Satan. Indeed, the plot of Satan has ever been weak.”
At another place, Allah the Exalted says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ اشْتَرَىٰ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ ۚ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَيُقْتَلُونَ ۖ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنجِيلِ وَالْقُرْآنِ ۚ وَمَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِ مِنَ اللَّهِ ۚ فَاسْتَبْشِرُوا بِبَيْعِكُمُ الَّذِي بَايَعْتُم بِهِ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
“Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.”
37 : Reciting the Holy Quran
One of their characteristics is that they frequently recite the Holy Quran.
The Divine command is:
الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهِ أُولَٰئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ
“Those to whom We have given the Book recite it with its true recital. They [are the ones who] believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it – it is they who are the losers.”
Sayyiduna Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The right way of recitation is that when mentioning Paradise, one should ask about Paradise, and when mentioning Hellfire, one should seek refuge from it. Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Knowing what is lawful and unlawful, placing words in their proper place, not altering or changing them—this is fulfilling the right of recitation.
Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Acting upon the clear verses, believing in the ambiguous verses, presenting difficulties before the scholars, and reciting with the right intention is the true recitation. From Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), it is also narrated that this means following the right path.
“It is narrated from Sayyiduna Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recited a verse mentioning mercy, he would pause and ask Allah for mercy, and whenever he recited a verse about punishment, he would stop and seek refuge from Allah.”
Further, it is said:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٥٧﴾ قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
“O mankind! There has come to you from your Lord a guidance and a healing for what is in the hearts, and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say, ‘Only the favor of Allah and His mercy – that is better than whatever they accumulate.'”
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من سلك طريقا يلتمس فيه علما ، سهل الله له به طريقا إلى الجنة ، وما اجتمع قوم فى بيت من بيوت الله ، يتلون كتاب الله ويتدارسونه بينهم ، إلا نزلت عليهم السكينه وغشيتهم الرحمة ، وحفتهم الملائكة ، وذكر هم الله فيمن عنده ، ومن بطابه عمله ، لم يسرع به نسبه
“Whoever sets out on a path to seek knowledge of religion, Allah will make the path to Paradise easy for him. And when some people sit in one of Allah’s houses, reciting the Book of Allah and teaching it to one another, tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, angels surround them, and Allah mentions them among those near Him. And whoever’s deeds do not surpass his lineage, his lineage will not benefit him.”
38 : Worship Allah Alone
The command of the Lord of the Worlds is:
مَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُؤْتِيَهُ اللَّهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ ثُمَّ يَقُولَ لِلنَّاسِ كُونُوا عِبَادًا لِّي مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِن كُونُوا رَبَّانِيِّينَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تُعَلِّمُونَ الْكِتَابَ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَدْرُسُونَ
“It is not befitting for any human being, to whom Allah has given the Scripture and wisdom and prophethood, that he should say to the people, ‘Be my servants instead of Allah.’ Rather, he will say, ‘Be servants of the Lord, because of what you have taught of the Scripture and because of what you have studied.'”
Also, in the Quran it is stated:
قُلْ إِنِّي نُهِيتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ ۚ قُل لَّا أَتَّبِعُ أَهْوَاءَكُمْ ۙ قَدْ ضَلَلْتُ إِذًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ
“Say, ‘Indeed, I have been forbidden to worship those you invoke besides Allah.’ Say, ‘I will not follow your desires, for then I would have gone astray and would not be among the guided.'”
39 : To Love Allah Almighty
One of their praiseworthy qualities is that they love Allah very much, and Allah also loves them. Allah Almighty says:
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Say: If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) says that
this noble verse has decided that whoever claims to love Allah, but their actions, deeds, and beliefs are not according to the prophetic command of Muhammad (peace be upon him), and they do not follow the Muhammadan way, then they are lying in their claim. In Sahih Muslim, there is a hadith in which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) says: “Whoever does an action which is not in accordance with our command is rejected.” Therefore, here it is also stated that if you want to be saved in your claim of loving Allah, then follow my Sunnah; at that time, Allah will give you more than your desire, meaning He Himself will become your lover. As some wise scholars have said, your desire is nothing; the real pleasure is when Allah begins to love you. In short, the sign of love for Allah is that in every action, following the Sunnah is kept in view.
40 : Loving the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
In the Holy Quran:
قُلْ إِن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَاؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُوا حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ
“Say, if your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, the wealth you have gained, the trade you fear may decline, and the dwellings you love are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah brings about His decision. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.”
At another place, Allah Almighty says:
النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَأَزْوَاجُهُ أُمَّهَاتُهُمْ ۗ وَأُولُو الْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ إِلَّا أَن تَفْعَلُوا إِلَىٰ أَوْلِيَائِكُم مَّعْرُوفًا ۚ كَانَ ذَٰلِكَ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَسْطُورًا
“The Prophet has a greater claim on the believers than themselves, and his wives are their mothers. And relatives have more right over each other according to the Book of Allah than other believers and emigrants, except that you may do kindness to your friends. This is written in the Preserved Tablet.”
41 : Good Morals
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the best example for humanity, and he is the manifestation of the great creation. As Allah the Almighty says:
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
“And indeed, you are of a great moral character.”
Also, the Divine command is:
وَأَنفِقُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَأَحْسِنُوا ۛ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands, and do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.”
42 : Maintaining Ablution
One of their characteristics is that they remain in a state of ablution at all times:
عن عبد الله بن بريدة قال حدثني أبى بريدة قال: أصبح رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فدعا بلالا فقال: يا بلال بم سبقتني إلى الجنة؟ ما دخلت الجنة قط إلا سمعت خشخشتك أمامي ، دخلت البارحة الجنة فسمعت خشخشتك آمامي، فقال بلال : يا رسول الله! ما أذنت قط إلا صليت ركعتين ، وما اصابني حدث قط إلا توضأت عندها ورأيت إن لله على ركعتين فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بهما
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Buraidah narrates from his father (Buraidah, may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, one day called Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him, and said to him: “O Bilal! How did you precede me to Paradise? Last night, I heard the sound of your footsteps ahead of me in Paradise.” Sayyiduna Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him, replied: “O Messenger of Allah! When I call the Adhan, I pray two rak’ahs, and whenever my ablution breaks, I immediately perform ablution again.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “That is the reason!”
43: Observing the Tahajjud Prayer
One of their characteristics is that they arrange the Tahajjud prayer with great enthusiasm and passion. Allah the Exalted says:
وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَىٰ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا
“And during the night, pray Tahajjud beyond what is incumbent on you; perhaps your Lord will raise you to a praiseworthy station.”
At another place, describing the qualities of the believers, He said:
تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
“O mankind, spread peace, feed (the hungry), and stand for prayer at night when people are asleep, you will enter Paradise in peace.”
44 : Migrating in the way of Allah Almighty
Allah the Exalted says:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Indeed, those who have believed and emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah – those expect the mercy of Allah. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
He also said:
فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ ۖ بَعْضُكُم مِّن بَعْضٍ ۖ فَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا وَأُخْرِجُوا مِن دِيَارِهِمْ وَأُوذُوا فِي سَبِيلِي وَقَاتَلُوا وَقُتِلُوا لَأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ثَوَابًا مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الثَّوَابِ
“So their Lord accepted of them and answered them, ‘Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. So those who emigrated or were evicted from their homes or were harmed in My cause or fought or were killed – I will surely remove from them their misdeeds, and I will surely admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow as reward from Allah, and Allah has with Him the best reward.'”
At one place, Allah the Exalted said about those who emigrated in His cause:
وَمَن يُهَاجِرْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يَجِدْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُرَاغَمًا كَثِيرًا وَسَعَةً ۚ وَمَن يَخْرُجْ مِن بَيْتِهِ مُهَاجِرًا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ يُدْرِكْهُ الْمَوْتُ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
“And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him – his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.”
Also, regarding them, Allah the Exalted says elsewhere:
وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا فِي اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً ۖ وَلَأَجْرُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٤١﴾ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
“Those who have endured patiently and emigrated in the cause of Allah after they had been wronged – We will surely settle them in this world in a good place; but the reward of the Hereafter is greater, if only they could know. Those who have patience and upon their Lord rely.”
45 : Being Truthful in Speech
The command of Allah Almighty is:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ
“O you who have believed! Fear Allah and be with those who are truthful.”
Sayyiduna Abdul Rahman bin Abi Qarad (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
إن أحببتم أن يحبكم الله تعالى ورسوله فأدوا إذا نتمنتم ، واصدقوا إذا حدثتم ، وأحسنوا جوار من جاوركم
“If you wish that Allah and His Messenger love you, then when a trust is placed with you, fulfill it; when you speak, speak the truth; and treat well the one who lives near you.”
46 : Loving What Allah Loves
Those who love Allah love the things He loves. The Quran describes this matter as follows:
ذَٰلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ حُرُمَاتِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ عِندَ رَبِّهِ ۗ وَأُحِلَّتْ لَكُمُ الْأَنْعَامُ إِلَّا مَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَاجْتَنِبُوا الرِّجْسَ مِنَ الْأَوْثَانِ وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ
“This, and whoever honors the symbols of Allah – indeed, it is from the piety of hearts. And for you, the cattle are made lawful except what is recited to you. So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false speech.”
47 : Hating the Things Disliked by Allah
One of their characteristics is that they hate the things disliked by Allah.
The Divine command is:
وَقَدْ نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ أَنْ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ يُكْفَرُ بِهَا وَيُسْتَهْزَأُ بِهَا فَلَا تَقْعُدُوا مَعَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَخُوضُوا فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِ ۚ إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا مِّثْلُهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَامِعُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَالْكَافِرِينَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعًا
“And Allah has already revealed to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah being denied and mocked at by a people, do not sit with them until they engage in some other talk. Otherwise, you would be like them. Indeed, Allah will gather all the disbelievers and hypocrites into Hell.”
48 : Being Enemies of the Enemies of Allah Almighty
One of their characteristics is that they are hostile to the enemies of Allah. It is stated:
لَّا تَجِدُ قَوْمًا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ يُوَادُّونَ مَنْ حَادَّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَوْ كَانُوا آبَاءَهُمْ أَوْ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ أَوْ إِخْوَانَهُمْ أَوْ عَشِيرَتَهُمْ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ كَتَبَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَأَيَّدَهُم بِرُوحٍ مِّنْهُ ۖ وَيُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ حِزْبُ اللَّهِ ۚ أَلَا إِنَّ حِزْبَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. Those are the ones whose hearts Allah has inscribed faith upon, and He has supported them with a spirit from Himself. He will admit them into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will abide forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. Those are the party of Allah. Truly, the party of Allah are the successful ones.”
49 : Supporting the Religion of Allah
One of their characteristics is that they help the religion of Allah. It is stated:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَنصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ
“O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet.”
Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, says that in Surah Yunus, verse 9, Allah also says:
وَلَيَنْصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُه “Indeed, Allah will support those who support Him.” Because the reward corresponds to the type of action, and He will also make your feet firm. It is mentioned in a hadith that whoever fulfills the need of a needy person before an authority who cannot reach there himself, Allah will firmly plant his feet on the Day of Judgment on the bridge (Sirat).
50: Only Speak Good
Allah Almighty says about them:
وَقُل لِّعِبَادِي يَقُولُوا الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا
“And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir Al-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the tafsir of this verse:
It is Allah the Exalted’s kindness and grace upon His servants that He has commanded them to have better manners, deeds, and speech which lead to the success of this world and the Hereafter. Thus He said: وَقُل لِّعِبَادِي يَقُولُوا الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
“And tell My servants to say that which is best.” This is a command regarding every speech that is a means of drawing closer to Allah Almighty. For example, recitation of the Qur’an, remembrance of Allah, acquiring knowledge, enjoining good, forbidding evil, and speaking sweetly to people according to their ranks and status. If two matters arise and it is not possible to combine or reconcile them, then the better of the two should be preferred, and good speech always invites to beautiful character and righteous deeds. Therefore, whoever has control over his tongue, all his affairs are under his control. إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ
“Indeed Satan causes dissension among them.”
For this reason, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to his Ummah:
((املك عليك لسانك))
Meaning, Satan wants to ruin the religion and worldly affairs of the servants and spread discord among them. The remedy for this discord is that they do not follow Satan in bad speech to which he invites continuously, and that they adopt gentleness among themselves so that the plots of Satan, which sow the seeds of discord among them, are destroyed. Indeed, Satan is their true enemy, and it is incumbent upon them to remain engaged in fighting against Satan.
51: Shedding Tears from the Eyes out of Love and Fear of Allah
وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَىٰ أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا مِنَ الْحَقِّ ۖ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ
“And when they hear the revelation sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because they have recognized the truth. They say, ‘Our Lord, we have believed, so write us among the witnesses.'”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir Al-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the explanation of this verse:
One reason for this is also وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ
“When they hear that (Book) which was sent down to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, it affects their hearts, and they bow down before it, and tears flow from their eyes according to the truth they have believed in. Therefore, they accepted faith and acknowledged it, and said رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ
‘Our Lord, we have believed, so write us among the witnesses.’ And these are the people of the Ummah of Muhammad, peace be upon him, who bear witness to the Oneness of Allah, the prophethood of His Messengers, and the truth of what this Messenger has brought.
52 : Controlling Anger and Forgiving
One of the qualities of Allah’s friends is that they control their anger and forgive others. It is stated:
وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٣٣﴾ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٣٤﴾ وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٣٥﴾ أُولَٰئِكَ جَزَاؤُهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ
“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous. Those who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good. And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – and who can forgive sins except Allah? – and who do not persist in what they have done while they know. Those – their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide eternally; and excellent is the reward of the [righteous] workers.”
53 : To Populate the Mosques of Allah Almighty
One characteristic of the friends of Allah is that they populate the mosques of Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty says:
إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ ۖ فَعَسَىٰ أُولَٰئِكَ أَن يَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ ﴿١٨﴾ ۞ أَجَعَلْتُمْ سِقَايَةَ الْحَاجِّ وَعِمَارَةَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ كَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَجَاهَدَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ لَا يَسْتَوُونَ عِندَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿١٩﴾ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ ﴿٢٠﴾يُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُم بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنْهُ وَرِضْوَانٍ وَجَنَّاتٍ لَّهُمْ فِيهَا نَعِيمٌ مُّقِيمٌ ﴿٢١﴾ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿٢٢﴾ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا آبَاءَكُمْ وَإِخْوَانَكُمْ أَوْلِيَاءَ إِنِ اسْتَحَبُّوا الْكُفْرَ عَلَى الْإِيمَانِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾ قُلْ إِن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَاؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُوا حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ
“Only those maintain the mosques of Allah who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, give zakah, and fear none but Allah. It is hoped that they will be among the rightly guided. Do you consider the giving of water to the pilgrims and the service of the Sacred Mosque equal to those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and strive in the cause of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. Those who have believed, emigrated, and striven with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and of gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure. They will abide therein forever. Indeed, Allah has with Him a great reward. O you who have believed, do not take your fathers or your brothers as allies if they prefer disbelief over belief. And whoever does so among you – then it is those who are the wrongdoers. Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.’”
54 : Calling Only Upon Allah Almighty
One of their characteristics is mentioned in the Quran as follows:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
“When My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.”
Abdur Rahman bin Nasir As-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, in his tafsir of this verse states: “The Prophet ﷺ was asked by some of the companions, may Allah be pleased with them: ‘Is our Lord near so that we may converse with Him secretly, or is He far so that we call upon Him?’ In response to this question, this verse was revealed وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ
‘And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near.’ Because Allah Almighty is the Watcher over everything and the Knower of all hidden matters. He knows the treachery of the eyes and the secrets buried in the hearts. He is also near to the caller in terms of accepting supplications, hence it is said: أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ
‘When the caller calls upon Me, I respond to him.’ There are two types of supplications:
❀ Supplication of worship
❀ Supplication of asking
Similarly, there are two types of nearness:
❀ Being near to all His creation in terms of His knowledge.
❀ Being near to His worshipping servants and callers in terms of acceptance of supplication, help, and granting success.
Whoever sincerely supplicates to his Lord with a supplication that begins and there is no barrier to its acceptance, such as consuming the forbidden, Allah Almighty has promised to accept such supplications, especially when the servant adopts causes that lead to the acceptance of supplication, such as humbling oneself before Allah’s verbal and practical commands and prohibitions (bowing the head and submitting) and believing in them, which are causes for acceptance of supplication.”
55 : Having the Desire to See Allah
Numerous verses of the Quran indicate that the friends of Allah have the desire to see Allah. Below we mention a few verses:
وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَّاضِرَةٌ ﴿٢٢﴾ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ
“On that Day many faces will be radiant, looking towards their Lord.”
In another place it is stated:
يَا أَيُّهَا الْإِنسَانُ إِنَّكَ كَادِحٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ كَدْحًا فَمُلَاقِيهِ
“O man, indeed you are toiling toward your Lord with great exertion and will meet Him.”
In another place, the same point is expressed as follows:
اللَّهُ الَّذِي رَفَعَ السَّمَاوَاتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا ۖ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ ۖ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۚ يُدَبِّرُ الْأَمْرَ يُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُم بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ
“Allah is the One who raised the heavens without pillars that you see. Then He established Himself above the Throne. He subjected the sun and the moon, each running for an appointed term. He manages all affairs and clearly explains the signs so that you may be certain of the meeting with your Lord.”
56 : Giving Preference to Others Over Oneself
A unique and commendable characteristic of the friends of Allah is that they always prefer others over themselves. The Quran mentions this as follows:
وَالَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُوا الدَّارَ وَالْإِيمَانَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِي صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّا أُوتُوا وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“And [also for] those who were settled in the Home [i.e., Medina] and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul – it is those who will be the successful.”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir Al-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, states:
“And they prefer others over themselves even though they are in great need.”
That is, one of the qualities of the Ansar is altruism, by which they have superiority over others and are distinguished from them. This is the most perfect generosity and munificence. To show altruism in the beloved possessions of the self and to spend on others despite being in need or even hungry oneself is a noble character. This can only be attained by pure morals, love of Allah, and placing the love of Allah above the desires and pleasures of the self.
عن أبى موسى قال: قال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم إن الأشعريين إذا أرملوا فى الغزو او قل طعام عيالهم بالمدينة جمعوا ما كان عندهم في ثوب واحد ، ثم اقتسموه بينهم فى إناء واحد بالسوية فهم مني وأنا منهم
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The habit of the tribe of Ash’ar is that when their provisions for a battle are about to finish, or the food for their families in Medina runs short, they gather whatever each one has in a cloth, then distribute it equally among all from one vessel. They are from me, and I am from them.”
