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The friends of Allah are “those who believe and are mindful of Him,” as Allah Most High has stated in His Book. They fall into two categories: those who follow a middle course—the people of the right—and the foremost, who are brought near to Allah.

A friend of Allah is the opposite of an enemy of Allah. Allah Most High says:

“Surely Allah’s friends shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve—those who believe and are mindful of Him.”

He also says:

“Your only allies are Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe”—up to His words—“Whoever takes Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe as allies, then surely it is Allah’s party that will prevail.”

And He says:

“Do not take My enemies and yours as allies.”

And He says:

“On the Day when Allah’s enemies are gathered towards the Fire, they will be held in ranks.”

And He says:

“Will you then take him and his offspring as allies instead of Me, even though they are your enemies?”

Al-Bukhārī narrated in his Sahīh from Abū Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah Most High says: ‘Whoever shows enmity towards a friend of Mine has openly challenged Me to war. My servant draws near to Me through nothing comparable to fulfilling what I have made obligatory upon him. My servant continues to draw near to Me through voluntary acts of worship until I love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Through Me he hears, through Me he sees, through Me he strikes, and through Me he walks. If he asks Me, I will surely give to him, and if he seeks My protection, I will surely protect him. I have never hesitated over anything I am going to do as I hesitate over taking the soul of My believing servant: he dislikes death, and I dislike causing him distress, yet he must undergo it.’”