❖ Adapted from the book "Identification of the Friends of Allah" by Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi
❖ With insights from Imam Abdur Rahman bin Nasir al-Sa'di رحمه الله
"Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him; and whoever dislikes meeting Allah, Allah dislikes meeting him."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Remembrance and Supplication, Hadith 2683)
(Aal-e-Imran: 31–32)
Imam al-Sa'di رحمه الله explains:
❖ Mere claim to love Allah is not sufficient—true love must be proven through sincere and total obedience to the Prophet ﷺ, in speech, actions, beliefs, and inner state.
❖ The more one follows the Prophet ﷺ, the greater is their share in Allah’s love.
❖ Whoever fails in following him has a deficient or false claim of love.
① Fulfill their vows
② Fear the horrors of the Day of Judgment
③ Feed the needy, the orphan, and the captive
④ Seek only the Face of Allah—not reward or thanks
Allah rewards them with:
❖ Protection from hardship
❖ Delight and joy
❖ Gardens and garments of silk
(See: Surah Al-Insan: 3–12)
(Al-Baqarah: 165)
Imam al-Sa'di رحمه الله says:
✦ Believers love Allah purely, unlike polytheists who love others alongside Allah.
✦ True love of Allah brings peace, righteousness, and eternal success.
✦ False love of created beings brings ruin and disorder.
(At-Tawbah: 23)
Imam al-Sa'di رحمه الله comments:
✔ One must base alliances on faith, not blood ties.
✔ Love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ must come first, even above close family.
✔ Supporting disbelievers over believers is a grave injustice and disobedience.
✔ Loves Allah sincerely
✔ Follows the Prophet ﷺ completely
✔ Seeks only Allah’s pleasure
✔ Maintains loyalty to believers and disavowal of disbelievers
Only those who love Allah above all and follow His Messenger ﷺ with devotion can be called His true friends.
✿ And Allah is the Source of Success ✿
❖ With insights from Imam Abdur Rahman bin Nasir al-Sa'di رحمه الله
✿ Loving Allah: The Foundation of Faith
Attaining Allah's love begins with a servant's sincere love for Him. The Prophet ﷺ said:"Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him; and whoever dislikes meeting Allah, Allah dislikes meeting him."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Remembrance and Supplication, Hadith 2683)
❀ The Proof of Love for Allah: Following the Prophet ﷺ
﴾ Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, so Allah will love you and forgive your sins..." ﴿(Aal-e-Imran: 31–32)
Imam al-Sa'di رحمه الله explains:
❖ Mere claim to love Allah is not sufficient—true love must be proven through sincere and total obedience to the Prophet ﷺ, in speech, actions, beliefs, and inner state.
❖ The more one follows the Prophet ﷺ, the greater is their share in Allah’s love.
❖ Whoever fails in following him has a deficient or false claim of love.
◈ The Traits and End of the Friends of Allah vs. the Friends of Shaytan
The righteous, the “Abrar,” as described in Surah Al-Insan:① Fulfill their vows
② Fear the horrors of the Day of Judgment
③ Feed the needy, the orphan, and the captive
④ Seek only the Face of Allah—not reward or thanks
Allah rewards them with:
❖ Protection from hardship
❖ Delight and joy
❖ Gardens and garments of silk
(See: Surah Al-Insan: 3–12)
✔ How Deep Is a Wali’s Love for Allah?
﴾ But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah ﴿(Al-Baqarah: 165)
Imam al-Sa'di رحمه الله says:
✦ Believers love Allah purely, unlike polytheists who love others alongside Allah.
✦ True love of Allah brings peace, righteousness, and eternal success.
✦ False love of created beings brings ruin and disorder.
✿ Are You Truly a Wali of Allah? Then the Test Is Clear
﴾ O you who have believed, do not take your fathers or your brothers as allies if they prefer disbelief over faith... ﴿(At-Tawbah: 23)
Imam al-Sa'di رحمه الله comments:
✔ One must base alliances on faith, not blood ties.
✔ Love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ must come first, even above close family.
✔ Supporting disbelievers over believers is a grave injustice and disobedience.
❖ Conclusion: Who Is the True Friend of Allah?
A true Wali (Friend of Allah) is one who:✔ Loves Allah sincerely
✔ Follows the Prophet ﷺ completely
✔ Seeks only Allah’s pleasure
✔ Maintains loyalty to believers and disavowal of disbelievers
Only those who love Allah above all and follow His Messenger ﷺ with devotion can be called His true friends.
✿ And Allah is the Source of Success ✿
