Juz 11: At-Tawbah 93 to Hūd 5
Section 15 of 17 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
The Friends of Allah (Awliya Allah)
Surah Yunus contains one of the Quran's most profound and comforting declarations regarding those who attain proximity to Allah (swt). In verse 62, Allah (swt) states:
أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
“Be assured that the friends of Allah shall have no fear upon them, nor shall they grieve. [10:62]”
This verse establishes the exalted status of the awliya Allah (friends of Allah) and highlights their distinctive spiritual condition – freedom from fear and grief. This does not mean they never face difficulties or hardships in life; rather, it indicates that their hearts remain anchored in divine tranquility regardless of external circumstances. They may confront accidents, imprisonment, or loss, yet their hearts remain content and at peace, allowing them to navigate life's challenges with remarkable spiritual composure.
The next verse identifies who qualifies for this esteemed status:
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ
“Those who believe and are God-fearing. [10:63]”
This definition is profoundly inclusive yet appropriately selective. The awliya Allah are those who combine two essential qualities: iman (faith) and taqwa (God-consciousness). Faith represents the internal conviction and belief in Allah (swt), while taqwa manifests in external obedience to divine commands and abstention from prohibitions. This dual foundation – belief in the heart and righteous action in life – constitutes the path to divine friendship.
Allah (swt) further describes the reward for these awliya:
لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَىٰ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ
“For them are glad tidings in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. [10:64]”
The friends of Allah (swt) receive glad tidings in both realms of existence. In this world, they experience spiritual contentment, divine assistance, and the joy of obedience. In the hereafter, they will receive eternal bliss and the ultimate pleasure of Allah's (swt) satisfaction with them.
This discussion of divine friendship forms part of the broader contrast in Surah Yunus between believers and disbelievers. Whereas the disbelievers respond to Allah's verses with mockery and rejection, the believers receive them as sources of spiritual growth. Verse 124 elaborates on this divergent response:
وَإِذَا مَا أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ أَيُّكُمْ زَادَتْهُ هَٰذِهِ إِيمَانًا فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فَزَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَهُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ
“And whenever a Surah is revealed, some of them (hypocrites) say, "Which of you has been increased in faith by it?" As for those who believe, it increases them in faith, and they rejoice. [9:124]”
For the believers – the potential and actual awliya Allah – each revelation strengthens their faith and brings joy. For the hypocrites and disbelievers, revelation only