Who are the Saints of Allah?
By Awliya (friends of Allah) is meant those sincere believers who, due to their servitude to Allah and avoidance of sins, become close to Him. The meaning of “Wali” is “close.” That is, when a believer adheres to faith and righteous deeds and avoids shirk and other sins, he becomes close to Allah, the Lord of Glory. Accordingly, Allah the Exalted says:
﴿أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ.الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ. لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَىٰ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ.﴾
“Remember! Indeed, there is no fear upon the friends of Allah, nor will they grieve. Those are the ones who believed and were cautious (of evil). For them is good news in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. There is no change in the words of Allah. That is the great success.”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir Al-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the commentary of these verses:
Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, informs about His Awliya and beloved people by mentioning their deeds, characteristics, and their reward. Thus He says: ﴿أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ﴾ “Beware! There will be no fear upon the friends of Allah.” That is, on the Day of Resurrection, in the fearful and dreadful conditions of the gathering place, they will have no fear. ﴿وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ﴾ “Nor will they grieve” over the deeds they had done before, because they would have done nothing but righteous deeds. Since they will have neither fear nor grief, there will be peace, happiness, and abundant good for them, which none knows except Allah, the Exalted.
Then Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, describes the attributes of the Awliya of Allah, saying: ﴿الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا﴾ “Those who believed,” meaning those who believed in Allah, His angels, His revealed books, His sent messengers, the Day of Judgment, and good and bad destiny, and confirmed their faith by practicing piety, obeying Allah’s commands, and avoiding His prohibitions.
Therefore, every person who is a believer and God-fearing is a Wali of Allah. That is why it is said: ﴿لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَىٰ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ﴾ “For them is good news in the worldly life and in the Hereafter.” The glad tidings in this world mean praise and honor, love and affection in the hearts of the believers, true dreams, the believer’s benefiting from Allah’s kindness and grace, Allah making the paths of good deeds and morals easy for the servant, and keeping the servant away from bad character. Among the glad tidings of the Hereafter, the foremost is that at the time of the soul’s departure, they are given glad tidings.
What is their faith like?
Allah Almighty says:
﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ﴾
“Indeed, those who say, ‘Allah is our Lord,’ and then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon them, [saying], ‘Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised. And We will give them provision therein and cause them to be among the righteous.’ And they will be given glad tidings of Allah’s pleasure and everlasting blessings in the grave, and on the Day of Resurrection, their entry into the blissful Paradise and salvation from painful torment will complete this glad tidings.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) states:
“The friends of Allah are those whose hearts are filled with faith and certainty, whose outward appearance is immersed in piety and righteousness. The more piety there is, the greater the sainthood will be. Such people are purely fearless and without dread; the terror of the Day of Judgment is far from them. They will never be acquainted with sorrow and grief, and they do not feel regret or sorrow for what they leave behind in this world. Our master Abdullah bin Mas’ud, our master Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them), and many other righteous predecessors say that the friends of Allah are those whose faces remind one of Allah, the Exalted.”
Allah’s Reward in Exchange for Faith:
Allah Almighty keeps the believers and Muslims as His guardians, as Allah Almighty says:
﴿اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ﴾
“The ally of those who believe is Allah Himself; He brings them out from darkness into light. And those who disbelieve— their allies are Taghut (false deities). They bring them out from light into darkness. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the exegesis of this verse:
“Allah Almighty informs that He guides the seeker of His pleasure to safety and leads him out from the darkness of disbelief and doubt into the clear light of the truth. The allies of the disbelievers are devils who embellish ignorance and misguidance, disbelief and polytheism, preventing them from faith and monotheism, thus removing them from the light of truth and throwing them into the darkness of falsehood. These are the disbelievers who will remain in Hell forever.”
And Abdul Rahman bin Nasir Al-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes: ﴿اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا﴾ “The ally of the believers is Allah Himself.” This verse encompasses their friendship with their Lord, in that they love their Lord and do not associate anyone with Him, love His beloved ones, and hold enmity towards His enemies. Allah Almighty, out of His kindness, mercy, and favor, has brought them out from the darkness of disbelief, sins, and ignorance, and brought them into the light of faith, righteousness, and knowledge. As a result, they are saved from the darkness of the grave, resurrection, and the Day of Judgment, and they enter the eternal bliss, comfort, and joy of Paradise. ﴿وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ﴾ “And the allies of the disbelievers are devils.” So they befriended the devils and their party, abandoning the friendship of their Lord and Master. As a punishment, Allah Almighty has imposed devils upon them who lead them towards sins and encourage evil. Thus, they are removed from the light of faith, knowledge, and righteousness and taken into the darkness of disbelief, sins, and ignorance. Consequently, they are deprived of good deeds and cannot attain blessings and happiness. They will also be counted among the party of Satan and his friends in the realm of regret (Hell). Therefore, Allah said: ﴿أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ﴾ “These are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.”
At another place, Allah Almighty says:
﴿إِنَّ وَلِيِّيَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْكِتَابَ ۖ وَهُوَ يَتَوَلَّى الصَّالِحِينَ﴾
“Indeed, My ally is Allah, who has sent down the Book; and He is an ally to the righteous.”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir Al-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the exegesis of this verse:
“So the righteous believer, when through faith and piety he makes his Lord his friend and protector and does not make any being his friend who can neither benefit nor harm, then Allah Almighty becomes their friend and helper. He bestows His kindness and mercy upon them, assists them in the welfare and interests of their religion and worldly affairs, and removes from them every undesirable thing through their faith. Allah Almighty says:
﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدَافِعُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا﴾
“Indeed, Allah defends those who have believed.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the exegesis of this verse:
“Listen, I consider Allah as my protector and helper; He is my savior and sufficient for me. I trust Him and am attached to Him. Not only I, but every righteous servant does the same. And He continues to watch over and protect all His children and slaves. Even after me, He remains their guardian and protector.”
The Role of the Saints of Allah and Their Relationship with the Creator and the Creation:
In the Quran:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۘ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ . فَتَرَى الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ يُسَارِعُونَ فِيهِمْ يَقُولُونَ نَخْشَىٰ أَن تُصِيبَنَا دَائِرَةٌ ۚ فَعَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِيَ بِالْفَتْحِ أَوْ أَمْرٍ مِّنْ عِندِهِ فَيُصْبِحُوا عَلَىٰ مَا أَسَرُّوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ نَادِمِينَ . وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَهَٰؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ أَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ ۙ إِنَّهُمْ لَمَعَكُمْ ۚ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا خَاسِرِينَ . يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي اللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ يُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلَا يَخَافُونَ لَوْمَةَ لَائِمٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ . إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ .وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فَإِنَّ حِزْبَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْغَالِبُونَ. يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا دِينَكُمْ هُزُوًا وَلَعِبًا مِّنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَالْكُفَّارَ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ .وَإِذَا نَادَيْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ اتَّخَذُوهَا هُزُوًا وَلَعِبًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْقِلُونَ . قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ هَلْ تَنقِمُونَ مِنَّا إِلَّا أَنْ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلُ وَأَنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ فَاسِقُونَ. قُلْ هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُم بِشَرٍّ مِّن ذَٰلِكَ مَثُوبَةً عِندَ اللَّهِ ۚ مَن لَّعَنَهُ اللَّهُ وَغَضِبَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ الْقِرَدَةَ وَالْخَنَازِيرَ وَعَبَدَ الطَّاغُوتَ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا وَأَضَلُّ عَن سَوَاءِ السَّبِيلِ .﴾
“O you who have believed! Do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. So you will see those in whose hearts is disease hastening into them, saying, ‘We are afraid a misfortune may strike us.’ But perhaps Allah will bring conquest or a decision from Him, and they will become, over what they had been concealing within themselves, regretful. And they will say, ‘Those are the ones who swore by Allah their strongest oaths that indeed we were with you.’ But their deeds have become worthless, so they have become losers. O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion – Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. Your ally is none but Allah and [therefore] His Messenger and those who have believed – those who establish prayer and give zakah, and they bow [in worship]. And whoever is an ally of Allah and His Messenger and those who have believed – indeed, the party of Allah – they will be the predominant. O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. And when you call to prayer, they take it as mockery and amusement. That is because they are a people who do not use reason. Say, ‘O People of the Scripture, do you resent us except because we have believed in Allah and what was revealed to us and what was revealed before, while most of you are defiantly disobedient?’ Say, ‘Shall I inform you of [what is] worse than that as penalty from Allah? [It is that of] those whom Allah has cursed and with whom He became angry and made of them apes and pigs and slaves of Taghut. Those are worse in position and further astray from the sound way.'”
In the above verses, forming alliances (heartfelt friendship) with Jews and Christians, who are enemies of Islam and Muslims, is prohibited, and such a severe warning is given that whoever befriends them will be considered one of them.
The four prominent qualities of the nation that Allah will raise against the apostates are described:
1. To love Allah and be beloved by Him.
2. To be gentle towards the believers and harsh towards the disbelievers.
3. To strive in the cause of Allah.
4. To not fear any blame regarding Allah.
The Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) were characterized by these qualities and were exemplars of these virtues. Therefore, Allah granted them the blessings of this world and the Hereafter and honored them with His approval in this world.
Anyone can observe the truth stated in the Quran that there is severe disagreement and mutual enmity among Jews and Christians regarding beliefs, yet despite this, they assist and protect each other against Islam and Muslims.
Allah Almighty is the helper of His righteous servants. It is mentioned in the Quran that Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him, prayed:
﴿رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ﴾
“My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.”
Instructions to the Believers and the Role of the People of Desires:
Also He said:
﴿وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَندَادًا يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلَّهِ ۗ وَلَوْ يَرَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا إِذْ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذَابَ أَنَّ الْقُوَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعَذَابِ.إِذْ تَبَرَّأَ الَّذِينَ اتُّبِعُوا مِنَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوا وَرَأَوُا الْعَذَابَ وَتَقَطَّعَتْ بِهِمُ الْأَسْبَابُ.وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوا لَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةً فَنَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُمْ كَمَا تَبَرَّءُوا مِنَّا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُرِيهِمُ اللَّهُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ حَسَرَاتٍ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَمَا هُم بِخَارِجِينَ مِنَ النَّارِ . يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ. إِنَّمَا يَأْمُرُكُم بِالسُّوءِ وَالْفَحْشَاءِ وَأَن تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ .وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا أَلْفَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا ۗ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ . وَمَثَلُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي يَنْعِقُ بِمَا لَا يَسْمَعُ إِلَّا دُعَاءً وَنِدَاءً ۚ صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ . يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ .إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ . إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَشْتَرُونَ بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۙ أُولَٰئِكَ مَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ إِلَّا النَّارَ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ.أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ اشْتَرَوُا الضَّلَالَةَ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَالْعَذَابَ بِالْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ فَمَا أَصْبَرَهُمْ عَلَى النَّارِ.﴾
“Some people take others as equals to Allah and love them as they should love Allah. But the believers are stronger in love for Allah. If only the polytheists knew, when they see the punishment, that all power belongs to Allah alone and that Allah is severe in punishment, they would never associate partners with Him. When the leaders turn away from their followers and see the punishment with their own eyes, and all ties are broken, the followers will say: ‘If only we could return to the world, we would disassociate ourselves from them just as they have disassociated from us.’ Thus Allah will show them their deeds to make them regret, and they will never come out of the Hellfire. O people! Eat of the lawful and pure things on earth and do not follow the footsteps of Satan, for he is your clear enemy. He only commands you to do evil and indecency and to say about Allah what you do not know. And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘No, we will follow what we found our forefathers doing,’ even though their forefathers had no understanding and guidance. The example of the disbelievers is like that of the cattle; they hear only calls and cries. Deaf, dumb, and blind, they do not understand. O believers! Eat of the pure things We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if you worship Him alone. Forbidden to you are carrion, blood flowing forth, pork, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced by necessity, without willful disobedience or transgression, there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Indeed, those who conceal what Allah has revealed of the Book and exchange it for a small price, they fill their bellies with fire. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not speak to them or purify them, and they will have a painful punishment. Those are the ones who have bought error in exchange for guidance and punishment in exchange for forgiveness. How patient they are in the Fire!”
In the above verses, the helplessness and betrayal of leaders and dignitaries in the Hereafter will cause regret among the polytheists, but that regret will be of no benefit there. If only they would repent from shirk in this world.
That is, do not make lawful things forbidden by following Satan as the polytheists did, who made animals dedicated to their idols forbidden. For details, see Surah Al-An’am. It is narrated in a hadith that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: Allah says:
وإني خلقت عبادي حنفاء كلهم ، وإنهم أتتهم الشياطين فاجتالتهم عن دينهم ، وحرمت عليهم ما احللت لهم
“I created My servants upon the religion of pure monotheism, but Satan misled them from their religion and made lawful what I had made lawful forbidden for them.”
Whose Guardian is Allah?
﴿إِنَّهُمْ لَن يُغْنُوا عَنكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا ۚ وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۖ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ﴾
“Indeed, they will not avail you against Allah at all, and indeed, the wrongdoers are allies of one another, but Allah is the protector of the righteous.”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir Al-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the commentary of this verse:
Meaning, if you follow their desires and inclinations, they will not benefit you before Allah in any way, neither will you gain any good nor will any evil be removed from you. It is not appropriate for you to comply with them or to befriend them, because you and they are separate from each other, and they are friends among themselves. ﴿وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ﴾ “And Allah is the protector of the righteous.” Allah Almighty brings the righteous out of darkness into light because of their piety and good deeds.
And Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
“The protector, helper, companion, and supporter of the righteous is the Lord of the worlds, who takes them out of darkness into light, while the friends of the disbelievers are the devils, who drive them away from light into darkness. This Wise Qur’an is guidance and mercy with clear proofs for those who believe.”
Whom should the believers make friends with?
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا عَدُوِّي وَعَدُوَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَاءَ تُلْقُونَ إِلَيْهِم بِالْمَوَدَّةِ وَقَدْ كَفَرُوا بِمَا جَاءَكُم مِّنَ الْحَقِّ يُخْرِجُونَ الرَّسُولَ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۙ أَن تُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ رَبِّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ خَرَجْتُمْ جِهَادًا فِي سَبِيلِي وَابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِي ۚ تُسِرُّونَ إِلَيْهِم بِالْمَوَدَّةِ وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِمَا أَخْفَيْتُمْ وَمَا أَعْلَنتُمْ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْهُ مِنكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَاءَ السَّبِيلِ﴾
“O you who have believed! Do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, offering them affection while they have disbelieved in the truth that has come to you. They expel the Prophet (peace be upon him) and you yourselves only because you believe in your Lord. If you have come out for jihad in My cause and seeking My pleasure, (do not befriend them). You send them secret messages of affection, but I am well aware of what you conceal and what you reveal. Whoever among you does this will surely stray from the right path.”
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
إذا أحب الله العبد نادى جبريل: إن الله يحب فلانا ، فأحببه ، فيحبه جبريل ، فينادي جبريل فى أهل السماء ، إن الله يحب فلانا ، فأحبوه ، فيحبه أهل السماء ، ثم يوضع له القبول فى الأرض
“When Allah loves a servant, He announces it aloud to Jibreel, saying: ‘Look! I love so-and-so, so love him.’ Then Jibreel announces it loudly among the inhabitants of the heavens: ‘Allah loves so-and-so, so love him.’ Consequently, the inhabitants of the heavens begin to love him, and then the love and fame of that person is placed in the hearts of the people on earth.”
The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
من آل محمد ؟ فقال : كل تقي وتلا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن اولياء ه إلا المتقون
“Indeed, the people of so-and-so’s family are not my friends; my family are only the pious.” Then he recited the Quranic verse that your friends are only the righteous.
One who does not strive to become a friend of Allah :
﴿وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ أَهَٰؤُلَاءِ إِيَّاكُمْ كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ .قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا مِن دُونِهِم ۖ بَلْ كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ الْجِنَّ ۖ أَكْثَرُهُم بِهِم مُّؤْمِنُونَ.﴾
“And the Day He gathers them all together, He will say to the angels: Did these people worship you? They will say: Exalted are You; You are our friend (protector), not them. Rather, those people used to worship the jinn, and most of them were believers in them.”
The nights of the friends of Allah and their eternal abode :
﴿إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهَا خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ . تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ .فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّا أُخْفِيَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ .أَفَمَن كَانَ مُؤْمِنًا كَمَن كَانَ فَاسِقًا ۚ لَّا يَسْتَوُونَ . أَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ.﴾
“Those who believe in Our verses are the ones who, whenever they are reminded, fall down in prostration and glorify their Lord with praise, and do not show arrogance. Their sides stay away from their beds, and they call upon their Lord with fear and hope, and spend out of what We have provided them. No person knows what is kept hidden for them as a comfort for their eyes, as a reward for what they used to do. So is one who is a believer like one who is disobedient? They are not equal. For those who have accepted faith and done righteous deeds, there are eternal Gardens as hospitality for what they used to do.”
That is, they choose the path of obedience and submission, and do not show arrogance like the ignorant and disbelievers, because arrogance in the worship of Allah is a cause of being led to Hell.
﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ﴾
“Indeed, those who are arrogant in the worship of Allah will soon be humbled and enter Hell in disgrace.”
Therefore, the condition of the believers is the opposite; they always express humility, lowliness, and reverence before Allah.
Distinctive Attributes of the Saints of Allah:
﴿الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ﴾
“Those who spend (in the way of Allah) during ease and hardship, who restrain anger and pardon people, and Allah loves the doers of good.”
عن أبى كبشة الأنماري أنه سمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول : ثلاثة أقسم عليهن وأحدثكم حديثا فاحفظوه ، قال: ما نقص مال عبد من صدقة ، ولا ظلم عبد مظلمة فصبر عليها إلا زاده الله عزا، ولا فتح عبد باب مستلة إلا فتح الله عليه باب فقر
Sheikh Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it authentic.
The Beloved Prophet, peace be upon him, said: I swear by three things:
1. Wealth does not decrease by charity.
2. Forgiveness and pardoning increase a person’s honor.
3. Whoever opens the door to begging, Allah opens for him the door to poverty and destitution.
The Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Is there anyone among you who loves his heir’s wealth more than his own wealth?” The people said: O Messenger of Allah! No one. He, peace be upon him, said: I see that you love your heir’s wealth more than your own wealth, because your wealth is truly what you spend in the way of Allah during your lifetime, and what you leave behind is not your wealth but your heirs’ wealth. So your spending less and saving more is proof that you love your heirs’ wealth more than your own. Then he said: Whom do you consider a wrestler? The people said: O Messenger of Allah! One who cannot be thrown down. He, peace be upon him, said: No, rather the strongest wrestler is the one who controls himself at the time of anger. Then he said: Who do you call childless? The people said: One who has no children. He said: No, rather truly childless is the one in whose presence his children have died.”
