He did not specify (1) that intimate friend by name; instead, He referred to him only as “So-and-so,” for every blind follower has, besides Allah, patrons—this person and that person (2).

Such is the condition of those two companions who allied together in defiance of the Messenger’s obedience; the end of that intimacy is nothing but enmity and a curse. Allah the Exalted said, “Close friends on that Day will be enemies to one another—except for the God-fearing.” 67 (3)

In several passages of His Book, Allah has portrayed both these followers and those they followed (4). Among them is His statement: “On the Day their faces are turned about in the Fire they will say, ‘If only we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger! 66 And they will say, ‘Our Lord, we obeyed our leaders and elders, and they led us astray from the Path. 67 Our Lord, give them double punishment and curse them with a mighty curse.’ 68” (5)

These people will wish they had obeyed Allah and His Messenger at a time when such longing is useless. They will plead that they only followed their chiefs and dignitaries, yet they confess that this is no excuse; they obeyed the masters and grandees while disobeying the Messenger. That misplaced obedience and allegiance will culminate in their cry: “Our Lord, give them double punishment and curse them with a mighty curse.” 68. In this there is a lesson for the discerning and a healing admonition. Success comes from Allah alone.