The Criterion - Between Allies of Rahmaan & Allies of Shaytaan
By TAQIYU'L-DEEN IBN TAYMIYYAHؒ
The author needs no introduction, profound in wisdom, encyclopedic in knowlegde of the Qur'an, Sunnah, hadith, fiqh, comparative religion, and of course Greek philosophy; he is truly deserves the title 'Sheikh al-Islaam', in as much as it is said; 'whosoever knows not Ibn Taymiyyah, knows not Islaam'. A slogan, I'm sure, you'll reiterate after reading this book, which being one of the author's most valuable works, and is most vital read for the ummah today which desperately needs clarity in a world of sectarian confusion and perplexity over the identity, status, means of becoming one of God's Freinds (Awliya Allaah). Contrasting opinions are found in different schools of thought over the exact nature of the Friends of God with certain groups exalting pious individuals beyond all bounds, while on the other hand, other parties consider, even defile, the same personalities as 'heretics', lying on or out-side fringes of Islaam. In The Criterion - Between Allies of Rahman & Allies of Shaytaan, the author tackels the subject with great sublimity, mentioning in clear and rational words the 'Criterion' whereby ordinary muslims like ourselves, people of no great study in Religion, can easily and adequately identify and distinguish between Allaah's true Allies, the enemies of Shaytaan, and Friends of Shaytaan, the enemies of Allaah.
May Allaah Almighty make us of the former and keep us from the latter, ameen!
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(Note: This translation is the old version, not the version pictured above.)
Introduction from Dar as-Sunnah Publications;
The Decisive Criterion between the Awliyaa of The Most Merciful and the Awliyaa of Shaytaan. Indeed the enmity between man and Shaytaan is old, commencing from the time that Adam (alayhi as-salaam) was created, from the time he was ordered to prostrate to him. Shaytaan refused, become arrogant and hence disobeyed his Lord. His arrogance and pride let him to commit a whole host of sins, it made him expend every effort in misleading the children of Adam and made him beautify and embellish sins such that they accepted them and eagerly committed them Due to this Allah the exalted revealed the Books sent the Messenger and enjoined His servants to various injunctions and admonitions in order to secure them from the evil of Shaytaan. In the light of His advice, profound injunctions and admonitions in order to secure them from the evil of Shaytaan. In the light of His advice, profound injunctions and sever warnings, mankind becomes separated into two groups: a group who were guided and a group who deserved to be misguided. The groups who were guided are the inhabitants of Paradise and the groups who were misguided are the denizens of the Fire. The inhabitants of Paradise are the Awliyaa of the Most Merciful and the denizens of the Fire are the Awliyaa of Shaytaan.
'...And whoever takes Shaitân (Satan) as an Ally instead of Allâh, has certainly sustained a clear loss' Qur'an: An-Nisa 4:119
' No doubt! Verily, the Auliyâ' of Allâh no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve, Those who believed , and used to fear Allâh much .For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present world, and in the Hereafter. No change can there be in the Words of Allâh, this is indeed the supreme success' .TM Noble Qur'an: Yunus 62-64
' No doubt! Verily, the Auliyâ' of Allâh no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve, Those who believed , and used to fear Allâh much .For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present world, and in the Hereafter. No change can there be in the Words of Allâh, this is indeed the supreme success' .TM Noble Qur'an: Yunus 62-64
