The Characteristics of the Servants of Ar-Rahman

First Address:

All praise and thanks be to Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). He is the Most Merciful. He has selected His obedient servants and befriended them and honored them. I praise Him and I seek His Aid. I bear witness that there is no lord but Allah. He is One and Only; He has no equal and I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant. He ﷺ is the one to guide to the path of Jannah and guides to the ranks of Jannah with the permission of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). May Allah continue to send mercy on him ﷺ and his family and all his companions, the pious predecessors and all those who follow the right path for as long as the duration of the days and nights shall last.

We seek refuge with Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) from the evil of own selves and from the wickedness of our deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, there is none who can misguide him and whomsoever Allah sends astray, there is none who can guide him.

After this:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ

O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].
[Ali-Imran:102]

O Muslims! Follow the pious people and the ones who abstain from sins. This is the way to success and immense benefits. It is the way that provides dignity. Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has selected few such individuals and mentioned their traits and fulfill His promise. Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has said in the Qur’an:

وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا

And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [ words of ] peace
[Al-Furqan: 63]

What this really means is that when these servants of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) walk upon the earth, they walk as if surrounded by a sense of security and safety around them. There are filled with dignity as they walk about. They neither manifest pride nor haughtiness. They do not walk on the earth eliciting force or displaying corruption.

When the ignorant people argue with them unnecessarily, they disregard it with humbleness and replace it with forgiveness. They work with others by overlooking, not displaying others’ faults and not reacting harshly. They are as Hasan Al-Basari (Rahimullah alaih) has described:

“The people of honor do not respond with ignorance and if such people address them, they do not respond them with the same attitude. This is the condition of their heart.”

O servants of Allah!

Imagine if this is their day, what would their nights be like? The way they spend their nights is the best way anyone can. It holds within it light and obedience through which they attain the closeness to their Creator. They stand before Him in qiyam (standing in prayer) and sujud (prostration).

وَالَّذِيْنَ يَبِيْتُوْنَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَّقِيَامًا

And those who spend [ part of ] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [ in prayer ][Al-Furqan: 64]

They straighten their legs, cry before Him with deep sighs while their hearts fear the Hereafter. While they pray, they hope for mercy from Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). They cry out to Him with the following words realizing that the punishment of the Hellfire is a permanent station. They say:

وَالَّذِيْنَ يَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ ڰ اِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا
اِنَّهَا سَاۗءَتْ مُسْتَــقَرًّا وَّمُقَامًا

And those who say, “Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering;
Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence.”
[Al-Furqan: 65-66]

The characteristics of the servants of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) is clearly highlighted and not hidden in these verses. They are the ones that associate with people in a well-mannered way. Not only this, but they also worship only Allah alone and they strive in their worship. They continue to fear Him while they work hard to please Him. They fear His wrath and pray to Him despite their efforts which they do not really take into account. They cry out to Him asking Him to avert the punishment of the Hellfire away from them.

Where spending on family and close ones are concerned, this is what is said about them:

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًا

And [they are those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate
[Al-Furqan: 67]

They spend with moderation and aptly. There is no extra and unnecessary spending and neither are they stingy. They neither spend to drive themselves to poverty and nor are they such misers that they do not spend where it is necessary to spend. Those who are miserly are unable to spend on others even for the sake of helping. At the same time, they overspend in areas where it is not required. They do not understand what it is like to spend appropriately.

The traits of the servants of Ar-Rahman includes that they adopt what brings them khayr (goodness) and leave what is evil and means of sin. An additional trait is that they do not associate partners with Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). They do not kill a soul without right and avoid adultery. This is stated in this very verse that follows the others in Surah Al-Furqan.

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا آخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ ۚ

And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty.
[Al-Furqan: 68]

What this verse implies that they purify their religion and make it exclusively for Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). It is to leave all other forms of unacceptable worship for the sake of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). Hence, when there is trouble in life, they only call out to Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and seek aid from Him alone. They only beseech Him alone. They do not need nor expect from anyone else and trust only Him. They fear Him and fear no one else. This is the pure and most sincere form of tawheed (worship of One true God).

This forms the complete religion through which Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has preferred some nation over others and guided them. The nations which left tawheed are the ones who suffered the punishment Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) sent their way. Believe me, if anyone associates partners with Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ), He has forbidden Jannah for this person. The abode of such an individual is the Hellfire and nor will he be reprieved.

The nations that abstained from shirk, they also abstained from spreading corruption throughout the land. They steered clear of killing the innocent and all forms of adultery. Anyone who indulges in these mentioned acts, has definitely done evil. Such an induvial will be recompensed for their evil acts on the Day of Judgement with severe punishments which will take form of the blazing fire. The punishment is doubled for him.

يُّضٰعَفْ لَهُ الْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيْهٖ مُهَانًا

Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated
[Al-Furqan: 69]

Having stated all of this, there is yet an exception given. The Hellfire is not for those who stops the evil, repents and is ashamed of his/her actions. This is the person who is the one who is granted the ability to do tawbah (accepted repentance).

What was undone needs to be undone in some ways. The person who has taken things without right has to return it back to its owner. All rights are to be given to those individuals whose rights were unduly taken away and not fulfilled as per the requirement. This person has to purify himself and change his actions and choices to ones that please Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). Only then is his soul cleansed of all sins committed. This concept is further explained through the verse of the Qur’an”

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
[Al-Furqan: 70]

We learn that a true repentance transforms the previous sins to good deeds. Imam Ibn e Katheer (Rahimullah alaih) has aptly described it in the following words:

“When a person remembers his sins, he feels ashamed. He recited Inna lillahi and seeks forgiveness. In this manner, the sins turn to dust. This is as per the sunnah and the teachings of the pious predecessors.”

O servants of Allah! Fear Allah. Try to become like these chosen servants of Allah by following their footsteps. Try to adapt their personalities and demeanor as they were the one who were on the Straight Path. Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says in the Qur’an”

الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَاهُمُ اللَّهُ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding.
[Az-Zumar:18]

May Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) give you and me the guidance of His Book and the ability for us to benefit from the sunnah of the beloved Prophet ﷺ. I pray for my forgiveness and the forgiveness of all Muslims and for us to be cleansed of all sins. Undoubtedly, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful. Aameen.

Second Address:

Undoubtedly, all praises are for Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Him from the evil of our soul and actions. Whosoever is guided by Him, nothing can misguide him. Whomever He chooses to go astray, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and none other worthy of worship. He is Alone and does not have a partner. I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and messenger. OAllah! Send mercy on him ﷺ and his family and all his companions.

After this!

O servants of Allah! The people of knowledge have divided the above mentioned characteristics into four categories. Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has used these characteristics to associate His servants to Him and which is mentioned explicitly at the end of Surah Al-Furqan.

The first category is related to having religious values. The traits are mentioned that highlight religious values and its outwardly manifestation. This is what has been said as a starting point to describing who these servants of Allah really are.

The second category speaks of those have left shirk (associating partners) with Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). The third category is of those people who stay grounded in their religion through their worship. This is reflected in their prayers and their spending. These are the ones who stay away from killing a soul without right and adultery. They do not do not testify falsely.

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ

And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.
[Al-Furqan: 72]

The fourth and final category includes those who continue on with the correct deeds in the worldly affairs. They words are:

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

And those who say, “Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.”
[Al-Furqan: 74]

O servants of Allah! Fear Allah. Adopt these noble and exclusive traits. Ponder upon them. Keep them as part of your daily life and abstain from doing the opposite of these traits. This is the way to success and being salvaged. It is said in the Qur’an:

أُولَٰئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَامًا
‏ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ حَسُنَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا

Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace.
Abiding eternally therein. Good is the settlement and residence.
[Al-Furqan: 75-76]

Always remember that Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has commanded us to send salutations upon the last Messenger, Muhammad son of Abdullah ﷺ as is stated in the following verse of the Qur’an:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ ask Him to do so ]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him ] peace.
[Al-Ahzab: 56]

We send countless blessings on the beloved Prophet ﷺ and upon his family that cannot be enumerated due to which we pray that the Creator raises our ranks and forgives us.

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ
.إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ
.إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

O Allah, bestow Your favor on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad as You have bestowed Your favor on Ibrahim and on the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.

O Allah! Be pleased with the four Caliphates and the guided leaders, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, the companions, the pious predecessors and all those who are upon the guided path and will continue to do until Qiyamah. Ya Kareem, (The Most Generous), Ya Wahhab (The Most Loving).

O Allah! Honor Islam with the best of honor.

O Allah! Let Islam prevail over others and assist the Muslims. Humiliate the disbelievers and bring shame upon them. O Allah! Destroy the enemies of Islam.

O Allah! Shower peace and security upon this country. Bless this country and all the Muslim nations with generosity and brotherhood.

O Allah! We ask You of goodness and nothing beyond that. Bless us with goodness and save us from the trials of what we do not ask of You.

O Allah! Grant the servants of the Two Holy Mosques to do those deeds that please you and to guide their children with steadfastness.

O Allah! Grant us Your fear and purify our souls. You are the owner of our nafs.

O Allah! Rectify our affairs of this world and the Hereafter.

O Allah! Bless our life with the goodness and grant us a good end so we are saved from Your punishment.

O Allah! We seek refuge from the decline of Your blessings. We seek refuge from Your wrath and from displeasing You.

O Allah! You be sufficient for us in all matters.

O Allah! Help us overcome our enemies.

O Allah! Do not deprive us of Your bounty.

O Allah! Help Palestine and its people and protect them.

O Allah! Protect us from the Hellfire.