The Ideal Companions
In the Holy Quran, our Lord proclaims:
"Those who obey Allah and the Messenger are with those whom Allah has blessed, namely, the prophets, the Siddiqin, the Shuhada, and the righteous. And excellent are they as companions. That grace is from Allah, and Allah is sufficient as being the One who knows." (An-Nisa, 69-70)
The intended meaning of "obeying Allah and the Messenger" in the ayah is to consent to the rules of Islam, carry out Allah’s commandments, and refrain from prohibited actions. Those who tread this path and live by these principles are destined for the highest honor in the sight of Allah. They shall stand alongside the prophets, the truth-bearers known as "Siddiqs," the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the path of Allah, and those who are known for their piety and righteous deeds. This privilege extends beyond the boundaries of worldly life and, most significantly, into the realm of the Hereafter. What a magnificent promise!
An eminent mufassir scholar, Qadi Baydawi, while expounding upon these divine ayahs, stated: "Allah, in His wisdom, has categorized those whom one should seek the company of based on their levels of knowledge and deeds, urging all of humanity not to distance themselves from these chosen ones. The prophets are at the forefront of these categories, for they have attained the zenith of knowledge and righteous deeds through divine grace. They have not only reached the pinnacle but have also ascended to the degree of guiding others towards perfection.
The second category includes the truthful ones, the Siddiqs. They ascend the steps of contemplation at times through evidence and divine signs, and at other times, they climb the spiritual ladder of purity and asceticism, ultimately attaining the heights of irfan. Through these efforts, they unravel and convey the truth of creation to others.
The third category comprises the martyrs. Driven by the desire to live and propagate the truth of Islam, they tirelessly endeavor to consummate their obedience and spread this sacred truth. Ultimately, they sacrifice their lives in the name of Allah and Islam.
The fourth category consists of the righteous. They are individuals who dedicate their entire lives to obeying Allah, continuously seeking His pleasure in every circumstance.
These ayahs from surah An-Nisa not only shed light on our daily prayers but also on the supplication we make in every rakah of our prayers, reciting, "Guide us along the Straight Path, the Path of those You have blessed…" (Al-Fatiha, 6-7). Through this ayah, we learn who the blessed ones are. We beseech our Lord to guide us to the path of the prophets, the Siddiqs, the martyrs, and the righteous, aspiring to stand with them on the Day of Judgment.
It is essential to engrave this aspiration, which we recite dozens of times daily in surah Al-Fatiha, into our hearts. This aspiration should become our guiding principle, shaping our steps and influencing our way of life. Despite the myriad of negative influences surrounding our inner world, which are mostly induced by the shaytan, nafs, and allures of the world, safeguarding this aspiration is indispensable. Whenever possible, strengthening our connection with these blessed souls, making friends who remind us of their ways, and engaging with those who uphold their values is of paramount importance. Our scholars have, therefore, advised us to study the lives and teachings of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), his noble companions, and righteous individuals.
Harboring an attachment for them is, perhaps, the greatest spiritual capital we can amass after iman itself. It can even be said that iman attains its perfection through this love. Let us recall the saying of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam): "A person will be with those whom he loves." This saying pertains to the companionship of the Hereafter. Hence, the individuals we love and follow in this world will be our companions in the Hereafter, enabling us to receive similar treatment and rewards.
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We are always at a crossroads. We know that facing the consequences of being swept away by a worldly understanding and lifestyle and forgetting the Hereafter will bring us regret. Even the smallest compromise can lead to dire ramifications. Human beings do not stray from the righteous path suddenly as if throwing a switch or being struck by lightning. Likewise, evil did not become abruptly widespread across the Earth; it emerged bit by bit, with one evil opening the door for another. The Quran and the teachings of our beloved Prophet, as well as the righteous, have constantly urged us to remain vigilant. They worked tirelessly to preserve the beauty of our inherent nature and to eradicate evil. This struggle between good and evil continues in our time, just as it has throughout history.
Complaints about the corruption rampant in the current age and the state of contemporary society are not unique to our era. Similar concerns have been expressed in ancient times, with successive generations bemoaning the decline of morals and the dominance of corruption. However, complaints, both past and present, have proven futile and will continue to do so. Complaints can be beneficial only when they lead to awareness and guidance. The real solution lies in taking action, both within ourselves and in our outward lives.
Therefore, let us remember that the supplication, ""Guide us along the Straight Path, the Path of those You have blessed…" is not just a wish but a call to effort and transformation. In summary, instead of solely lamenting the state of our times, we should strive to protect ourselves from evil and strive for goodness. We should heed the Quran's call to "be with the excellent companions." By doing so, we hope to be recipients of the divine grace and blessings, standing alongside those whom our Lord has favored.
May Allah never separate us from them and grant us the steadfastness to remain on their path.
With His tawfiq and inayah.
Sheikh Sayyid M. Mübarek Elhüseyni
