In the Name of Allāh.
Imagine if Allāh Himself were to call you His friend. Who among us would not yearn for such a privilege, such a Divine Favor? Yet, to be His friend, His beloved, one must possess the twin jewels in the crown of righteousness, the twin great all-inclusive qualities.
The first, Al-Eemān, is the true belief in the Oneness of Allāh – i.e., singling Him out in His Lordship, Worship, and Names and Attributes. For without faith, how can one be His friend? How can one truly understand the path He has laid before us, and the guidance He has given?
Then, the second, At-Taqwā; the consciousness of Allāh, the awareness of His Omnipresence, His Omniscience. Without having the fear of (displeasing) Allāh, without respect for His Authority, how can one hope to be His friend?
Notably, being a Walī (friend of Allāh) is not limited to certain believers over others. It’s something that has been made general for every believing man and woman. Whoever believes in Allāh and fears Him is His Walī. Allāh, the Expander of His Favors says: “No doubt! Verily, the Auliya’ of Allāh (i.e. friends of Allāh), no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve, they are those who believed (in the Oneness of Allāh – Islāmic Monotheism), and used to fear Allāh much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds).” [Sūrah Yunus (10): 62-63]
O Muslims, we need to truly believe in Allāh by worshipping Him Alone (without associating partners with Him) and doing so by following the Sunnah (legal way, teaching, etc.) of His Messenger (ﷺ). Allāh says: Say (O Muḥammad ﷺ to mankind): “If you (really) love Allāh, then follow me (i.e., accept Islāmic Monotheism, follow the Qur’ān and Sunnah), Allāh will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Sūrah Aal-‘Imrān (3): 31]
As we believe in Him, we must equally be conscious of falling into sins. When we walk this path, when we embrace these virtues, we shall find His Love, Mercy, and Protection. Thus, none can harm us. Abu Hurayrah reported: The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said that Allāh says: “Whosoever shows enmity to a Walī (friend) of Mine, then I have declared war against him…” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6502]
I beseech Allāh to envelop us in His Mercy and grant us the qualities of being His friends, not His enemies. Aameen
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