Their hearts are open and unveiled and they see Him with all...

Their hearts are open and unveiled and they see Him with all their hearts through the light of knowledge, faith, and good deeds which leaves them with perfect sincerity. It is because of such an acquaintance with Allah that, in their views, anything else other than Him is insignificant, of little value, and ephemeral. The verse says: “Those who believe and constantly keep from evil.” They are those who have become believers, continuously strive after virtue and make continence their habit.

For them there is good news both in this world and in the Hereafter, because there are no changes in the Divine words and promises, for Allah always fulfils the promises He has made to His friends. This is a great victory and happiness for the person concerned. The verse says: “For them are Glad Tidings in this world’s life and in the Hereafter. There is no change in the Words of Allah.

That is the great success.” Surah Yunus – Verse 65 وَلا يَحْزُنْكَ قَوْلُهُمْ إِنَّ الْعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعاً هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ 65. “And let not their speech grieve you. Verily the glory is wholly Allah’s; He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” As a good end awaits those who observe continence, the attainment of this goal requires one to pass through some great difficulties.

Among them is that one can cite the struggle which the faithful experience within their hearts in the process of overthrowing and revising their aspirations. This can tend to make them feel hopeless, giving them the impression that the oppressors can overcome them. But this is not so, Allah, the Exalted in Majesty informs us that we must not let the oppressors make us sorrowful. The Majesty is entirely His. It is He Who is All-Hearing and Omniscient.

This good news only applies to those whose existence embodies the characteristics of the friends of Allah. The verse says: “And let not their speech grieve you. Verily the glory is wholly Allah’s; He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” In the Islamic texts one reads that: Amir-ul-Mu’mineen Ali-ibn-Abi-Talib (as) once was asked about the meaning of Allah’s words when He says: “Behold! Verily no fear shall be upon the friends of Allah, nor shall they grieve” , and who the friends of Allah were.

Amir-ul-Mu’mineen answered: “The friends of Allah are those who are sincere in their worship, they are cognizant of the depth of those matters that are of the world, whereas others attach importance to the outward appearance of the world.

✦ ✦ ✦