In this time, many claim to be among the awliya (close friends of Allah), whether rightfully or not. Is there a specific definition or certain characteristics for the awliya so that we can distinguish between the wali and the Dajjal?
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The questioner : In this time, the listener says: Many have claimed to be among the awliya (close friends of Allah), whether rightfully or not. Is there a specific definition or certain characteristics for the awliya so that we can distinguish between the wali and the Dajjal? We ask for your guidance. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Yes. There is a definition, and there is no definition clearer or more evident than it, which is what Allah mentioned in His saying:[Yunus 10:62-63] These are the awliya (close friends of Allah) who combined true faith in their hearts with true mindfulness of Allah in their outward actions. So they rectified both their inner selves and their outward appearances. If you see a person who believes in Allah, and faith has apparent signs, and he is mindful of Allah, then he is the wali. And if you see him to be a deceiver and a liar, then he is not a wali, even if he claims to be one.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Yes. There is a definition, and there is no definition clearer or more evident than it, which is what Allah mentioned in His saying:
(62) Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve (63) Those who believed and were fearing Allah
أَلا إِنَّ أَولِياءَ اللَّهِ لا خَوفٌ عَلَيهِم وَلا هُم يَحزَنونَ * الَّذينَ ءامَنوا وَكانوا يَتَّقونَThe questioner : May Allah bless you.