Extracted from the book “Awliya Allah Ki Pehchaan” by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi❖ Who Are the Awliya of Allah?
The Awliya of Allah are those sincere believers who draw close to Allah through devotion and abstinence from sin. The word “Wali” means “close” or “intimate friend”. A believer becomes a Wali when he remains steadfast in faith and righteous deeds, while avoiding shirk and other sins.“Behold! Indeed, the Awliya of Allah shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve. Those who believed and were mindful of Allah. For them are glad tidings in this worldly life and the Hereafter...”
[Yunus: 62–64]
❖ Characteristics and Rewards of Awliya Allah
Imam ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Nāṣir al-Saʿdī رحمه الله explained:- They will not fear the horrors of the Day of Judgment.
- They will not grieve over their past actions, as they only engaged in righteous deeds.
- They are distinguished by faith and taqwa (piety).
- They receive glad tidings in this life: praise among people, love in hearts, righteous dreams, and ease in good conduct.
- In the Hereafter: they will receive glad tidings at the time of death, in the grave, on the Day of Judgment, and ultimately enter Paradise.
❖ The Quality of Their Faith
“Indeed, those who said: ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained steadfast, the angels descend upon them saying: Do not fear nor grieve, but receive glad tidings of Paradise which you were promised.”[Fussilat: 30]
Imam Ibn Kathīr رحمه الله said:
- Awliya are those whose hearts are filled with faith and certainty.
- Outwardly, they exhibit taqwa and piety.
- They do not fear the terror of the Day of Judgment nor grieve over worldly losses.
- Their presence reminds others of Allah.
❖ Divine Reward for Their Faith
“Allah is the Protector of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light...”[Al-Baqarah: 257]
Ibn Kathīr and Al-Saʿdī explain:
- Allah becomes the Wali of those who strive to please Him through faith and righteous deeds.
- In contrast, the disbelievers are under the influence of Ṭāghūt who drag them into darkness and misguidance.
“Indeed, my Wali is Allah who sent down the Book, and He is the guardian of the righteous.”
[Al-Aʿrāf: 196]
❖ The Conduct of Awliya Allah
- Awliya do not befriend enemies of Allah such as Jews and Christians who oppose Islam.
- They display four main traits:
① Love for Allah and being beloved by Him
② Compassion toward believers
③ Strength against disbelievers
④ Fearlessness in upholding Allah’s command
“Indeed, your Wali is Allah, His Messenger, and the believers who establish prayer and give zakah while bowing in humility.”
[Al-Mā’idah: 55]
❖ The Awliya are Chosen by Allah
“My Lord, You have granted me authority and taught me interpretation of dreams—You are my Wali in this world and the Hereafter. Cause me to die as a Muslim and join me with the righteous.”[Yūsuf: 101]
❖ The True Friends and Enemies
Awliya Allah are:- Steadfast in faith, loving Allah more than anything else.
- Disengaged from Satan and those who lead to disbelief.
- Mindful not to follow ancestral misguidance without knowledge.
- Grateful for halal sustenance and avoiders of haram.
“And Allah is the Protector of the righteous.”
[Al-Jāthiyah: 19]
❖ Who Should Believers Befriend?
“O you who believe, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, offering them affection when they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth...”[Al-Mumtaḥanah: 1]
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“When Allah loves a servant, He announces to Jibrīl, ‘I love so-and-so; so love him.’ Then Jibrīl loves him and announces to the inhabitants of the heavens... until his acceptance is placed on Earth.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3209; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2637)
And:
“Every pious person is from my family.”
(al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ: 3/338)
❖ Those Who Abandon Wilayah of Allah
“And the Day He will gather them all and ask the angels, ‘Were these the ones who worshipped you?’ They will reply, ‘Glory be to You! You are our Wali, not them...’”[Saba’: 40–41]
❖ The Night of Awliya and Their Eternal Home
“They forsake their beds to invoke their Lord with fear and hope, and spend from what We have provided them. No soul knows what has been hidden for them of joy...”[As-Sajdah: 16–17]
- They are humble, diligent in prayer, and generous, seeking Allah’s pleasure at night.
❖ Distinct Qualities of Awliya Allah
“Those who spend [in charity] in prosperity and adversity, who restrain anger, and pardon people; Allah loves the doers of good.”[Āl ʿImrān: 134]
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
① Charity does not reduce wealth
② Forgiveness increases honor
③ Begging opens the door to poverty
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 2325)
And:
“Your real wealth is what you spend in Allah’s path during your lifetime, not what you leave behind for heirs.”
“The true strong person is the one who controls his anger.”
“The truly barren person is he whose children die before him.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2608)
