Adapted from the book "Awliya Allah Ki Pehchan" by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi
﴿أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ...﴾
[Surah Yunus: 62–65]
"Verily, those who are the friends of Allah — no fear shall be upon them, nor shall they grieve. They are those who believe and fear Allah..."
Dr. Luqman Salafi explains that Allah has given glad tidings to these righteous people both in this life and the Hereafter — glad tidings of mercy, pleasure, and Paradise. The glad tiding in this worldly life includes good dreams seen by the believer. Also, it is established that the angels give good news of Paradise to the righteous before their death.
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم...﴾
[Surah Al-Hujurat: 13–15]
"O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing..."
Hafiz Ibn Kathir رحمه الله mentions in his Tafsir that the criterion of superiority before Allah is not lineage or tribe — factors beyond human control — but Taqwa, which is within one’s ability. This is why scholars who do not consider lineage essential for marriage base their argument on this verse, favoring piety as the key measure.
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 285–286]
"The Messenger believes in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers... Our Lord, do not punish us if we forget or fall into error..."
These verses outline the essential articles of faith and highlight Allah’s mercy, emphasizing that He does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.
[Surah At-Taghabun: 16–18]
"So fear Allah as much as you are able, listen and obey, and spend (in charity) — that is better for yourselves..."
Abdur Rahman ibn Nasir al-Sa’di رحمه الله explains that Allah has commanded Taqwa — submission to His commands and avoidance of His prohibitions — and has made it conditional upon one’s ability. Any obligation that lies beyond a person’s capacity is lifted from them.
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 1–5]
"This is the Book in which there is no doubt — a guidance for the God-fearing..."
Imam Sa’di رحمه الله elaborates that this Book serves as guidance for all matters of this world and the Hereafter. Those who possess Taqwa benefit from both types of guidance: clarification and divine assistance.
[Surah Al-Ahzab: 70–73]
"O you who believe! Fear Allah and speak a straightforward word..."
This passage highlights the virtues of truthfulness, fear of Allah, repentance, and the fulfillment of the trust — a responsibility that even the heavens and the earth feared to bear but which man accepted.
[Surah Al-Hadid: 28]
"O you who believe! Fear Allah and believe in His Messenger; He will give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk..."
And also:
﴿فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ...﴾
[Surah Al-Anbiya: 90]
"So We responded to him and gave him Yahya, and We improved his wife for him. They used to hasten in good deeds and call upon Us in hope and fear..."
Imam Sa’di رحمه الله states that these Prophets were distinguished by their eagerness in righteous deeds, supplication in humility, and absolute devotion to their Lord.
❀ True Awliya Are Believers and the Pious
The true friends of Allah are sincere believers who draw near to Him by adopting Taqwa. Allah declares in His Noble Speech:﴿أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ...﴾
[Surah Yunus: 62–65]
"Verily, those who are the friends of Allah — no fear shall be upon them, nor shall they grieve. They are those who believe and fear Allah..."
Dr. Luqman Salafi explains that Allah has given glad tidings to these righteous people both in this life and the Hereafter — glad tidings of mercy, pleasure, and Paradise. The glad tiding in this worldly life includes good dreams seen by the believer. Also, it is established that the angels give good news of Paradise to the righteous before their death.
❀ Who is Honorable and a True Believer?
Allah states:﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم...﴾
[Surah Al-Hujurat: 13–15]
"O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing..."
Hafiz Ibn Kathir رحمه الله mentions in his Tafsir that the criterion of superiority before Allah is not lineage or tribe — factors beyond human control — but Taqwa, which is within one’s ability. This is why scholars who do not consider lineage essential for marriage base their argument on this verse, favoring piety as the key measure.
❀ What Must One Believe? The Supplication of the Believers
﴿آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ...﴾[Surah Al-Baqarah: 285–286]
"The Messenger believes in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers... Our Lord, do not punish us if we forget or fall into error..."
These verses outline the essential articles of faith and highlight Allah’s mercy, emphasizing that He does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.
❀ A True Believer is Pious and Generous
﴿فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ...﴾[Surah At-Taghabun: 16–18]
"So fear Allah as much as you are able, listen and obey, and spend (in charity) — that is better for yourselves..."
Abdur Rahman ibn Nasir al-Sa’di رحمه الله explains that Allah has commanded Taqwa — submission to His commands and avoidance of His prohibitions — and has made it conditional upon one’s ability. Any obligation that lies beyond a person’s capacity is lifted from them.
❀ Faith Guarantees Success
﴿الم . ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ...﴾[Surah Al-Baqarah: 1–5]
"This is the Book in which there is no doubt — a guidance for the God-fearing..."
Imam Sa’di رحمه الله elaborates that this Book serves as guidance for all matters of this world and the Hereafter. Those who possess Taqwa benefit from both types of guidance: clarification and divine assistance.
❀ A True Believer is Truthful and Repentant
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ...﴾[Surah Al-Ahzab: 70–73]
"O you who believe! Fear Allah and speak a straightforward word..."
This passage highlights the virtues of truthfulness, fear of Allah, repentance, and the fulfillment of the trust — a responsibility that even the heavens and the earth feared to bear but which man accepted.
❀ Faith is Light
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ...﴾[Surah Al-Hadid: 28]
"O you who believe! Fear Allah and believe in His Messenger; He will give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk..."
And also:
﴿فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ...﴾
[Surah Al-Anbiya: 90]
"So We responded to him and gave him Yahya, and We improved his wife for him. They used to hasten in good deeds and call upon Us in hope and fear..."
Imam Sa’di رحمه الله states that these Prophets were distinguished by their eagerness in righteous deeds, supplication in humility, and absolute devotion to their Lord.
