Even names that may legitimately be used—whether indicating affiliation with an imam, such as Hanafī, Mālikī, Shāfi‘ī, or Hanbalī; with a shaykh, such as Qādirī, Adawī, and the like; with tribes, such as Qaysī and Yamānī; or with regions, such as Syrian, Iraqi, and Egyptian—must not be used to test people or as grounds for loyalty or enmity. Rather, the most honoured people in Allah’s sight are those most mindful of Him, whatever group they belong to.
Allah’s true close friends are those who believe and are mindful of Him. He—glorified be He—has stated that His close friends are the believers who fear Him. He has explained who these God-fearing people are in His words, Most High:
“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces towards the east or the west. Rather, righteousness is to believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets; to give wealth, despite loving it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, stranded travellers, those who ask for help, and to free slaves; to establish prayer and give zakat; to fulfil pledges when made; and to remain patient in poverty, hardship, and times of battle. These are the ones who are true, and these are the God-fearing.”
Being mindful of Allah means doing what Allah has commanded and refraining from what He has forbidden.
The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—described the condition of Allah’s close friends and how they attained that status. In Sahīh al-Bukhārī, Abū Hurayra—may Allah be pleased with him—narrates that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:
“Allah—Blessed and Exalted—says: ‘Whoever shows hostility to a close friend of Mine has openly challenged Me