and cursed him, and became his enemy because he refused to prostrate before our father. Yet you take him as an ally instead of Me! I cursed him and expelled him when he would not prostrate before your father, and made him an enemy to you and your father. Yet you allied yourselves with him and forsook Me. Is this not the greatest loss and a cause of the bitterest regret for you?
On the Day of Resurrection, the Most High will say, “Is it not just of Me to consign each of you to whatever he used to take as an ally in this world?”
The allies of Satan will surely discover their plight on the Day of Resurrection, when they depart with their allies, while the allies of the Most Merciful remain behind, accompanying no one. He will then manifest Himself to them and say, “Will you not go where the people have gone?” They will reply, “We parted company with the people when we needed them most. We are only waiting for our Lord, whom we used to take as our ally and worship.” He will say, “Is there a sign between you and Him by which you recognize Him?” They will reply, “Yes: there is none like Him.” Then He will manifest Himself to them and uncover a shin, and they will fall down before Him in prostration.
How delighted His allies will be with that allegiance! How joyful they will be when the people depart with their allies, while they remain with their true Protector! Those who associate partners with Him and turn others away from His path will then know that they were never His allies:
8: 34 “His allies are none but the God-fearing, yet most of them do not know.”
Do not consider this explanation too lengthy. How greatly hearts need to know and understand it, and to attain their proper stations through it in this world, so that in the Hereafter they may dwell near their Lord, with those whom Allah has blessed: the prophets, the steadfastly truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. What excellent companions they are!
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Once you understand this, you will understand the meaning of the Prophet’s words—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—in the authentic hadith:
“Here I am at Your service, ready to obey You. All good is in Your hands, and evil is not attributable to You.”
You will understand that its meaning is far loftier and greater than the interpretation, “Evil is not a means of drawing near to You,” or the interpretation, “Evil does not ascend to You”; and that what they have said—although it affirms His transcendence above evil ascending to Him and above seeking nearness