Clarification that the status of intimate friendship is exclusive to Ibrahim and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them both)
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The Shaykh : Therefore, as far as we know, there is no intimate friendship. As far as we know, there is no intimate friendship except for two individuals only: Ibrahim and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
That is to say, I cannot say that Musa is the intimate friend of Allah, nor can I say that 'Isa is the intimate friend of Allah, nor can I say that any other created being is the intimate friend of Allah, except with knowledge from Allah. And we do not know that Allah has taken anyone as His intimate friend except Ibrahim and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them both).
And here I ask: Which is greater, the intimate friend or the beloved? Which has the greater love and the stronger love? Answer well.
The intimate friend, the intimate friend. So those who say Muhammad is the Beloved of Allah, in reality, they have fallen short. Rather, we say Muhammad is the intimate friend of Allah, and intimate friendship is above love. Now, does Allah love the believers? Does He love the truthful? Does He love the righteous? Does He love those who do good? Yes, the love of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is for everyone who follows His messengers.[Ali 'Imran 3:31] What? But intimate friendship is not something everyone attains; not everyone attains intimate friendship. So love is of a lower rank than what? Intimate friendship. So whoever says of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, that he is the intimate friend of Allah, has established for him love and what? An increase in love and an increase. For this reason, we testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, that Muhammad is the intimate friend of Allah, that Muhammad is the master of the children of Adam, and that Muhammad is the model who must be followed in everything he prescribed for his ummah (the Muslim community) (peace and blessings be upon him). Good.
Is it clear now? Killing the forbidden self, when Allah commanded it, what did it become? It became worship. So.
That is to say, I cannot say that Musa is the intimate friend of Allah, nor can I say that 'Isa is the intimate friend of Allah, nor can I say that any other created being is the intimate friend of Allah, except with knowledge from Allah. And we do not know that Allah has taken anyone as His intimate friend except Ibrahim and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them both).
And here I ask: Which is greater, the intimate friend or the beloved? Which has the greater love and the stronger love? Answer well.
The intimate friend, the intimate friend. So those who say Muhammad is the Beloved of Allah, in reality, they have fallen short. Rather, we say Muhammad is the intimate friend of Allah, and intimate friendship is above love. Now, does Allah love the believers? Does He love the truthful? Does He love the righteous? Does He love those who do good? Yes, the love of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is for everyone who follows His messengers.
Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me
قل إن كنتم تحبون الله فاتبعونيAllah makes you love
يحببكم اللهIs it clear now? Killing the forbidden self, when Allah commanded it, what did it become? It became worship. So.