The Friends of Allah & The Friends of Shaytan

About The Friends of Allah & The Friends of Shaytan

The Friends of Allah & The Friends of Shaytan is an English edition of a classic work by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (RH), originally titled Al-Furqan bayna Awliya ar-Rahman wa Awliya ash-Shaytan, meaning “the criterion between the allies of the Most Merciful and the allies of Shaytan”. If you want to understand who the true Friends of Allah are, and how they differ from those who only claim sainthood, this book offers a careful, evidence-based answer drawn from the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock, including the translator and year.

Who was Ibn Taymiyyah (RH)?

Taqi ad-Din Ahmad ibn Abd al-Halim ibn Taymiyyah (RH) was a leading Hanbali scholar of the Islamic world, known as Shaykh al-Islam. He wrote on belief, jurisprudence, Qur’anic commentary and the correction of errors that had entered the religion. He passed away in the year 728 of the Hijri calendar. His books remain widely read by students of Islamic creed, and this title is among the best known of them.

What the book covers

• The nature of the long struggle between the allies of the Most Merciful and the allies of Shaytan
• How to tell the people of truth apart from those who have gone astray
• Principles for understanding the karamat, the extraordinary favours granted by Allah to some of His righteous servants
• How such favours differ from the deceptive tricks and false wonders that Shaytan may inspire
• Core points of Muslim belief, grounded in the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the understanding of the early generations

Why this book matters

Many Muslims love righteous people, and that love is a good thing. The difficulty begins when claims of sainthood, strange acts or dramatic stories are accepted without any test. This book teaches that the measure of a person’s closeness to Allah is not unusual events but faith and obedience: following the revealed guidance and the way of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Allah Almighty describes His friends in the Qur’an as those who believe and are mindful of Him, and the author builds on this idea throughout the work. The result is a clear yardstick that a reader can apply to claims heard in daily life.

A criterion, not a collection of stories

The word “criterion” in the title is important. This is a book of principles. It does not ask the reader to accept or reject people on feeling alone, and it does not encourage harshness towards those who love the righteous. It asks the reader to return to revelation as the final judge, which is a lesson every student of knowledge needs.

Who should read it

• Students of Islamic creed who want to study a major text of Ibn Taymiyyah (RH) in English
• Readers who wish to understand the Islamic view of walaya, meaning closeness to Allah, and of true saintliness
• Teachers, imams and preachers who answer questions about karamat and unseen claims
• Families and community libraries in Kashmir and across India building a collection on belief
• Anyone who wants to strengthen their faith by returning to the Qur’an and Sunnah

How to benefit from the book

This is a serious work, so read it slowly. Take one section at a time, note the verses and the principle each discussion rests on, and try to summarise it in your own words. Where a point is difficult, discuss it with a trustworthy teacher. Keep a notebook of questions. Pair your reading with the Qur’an and with books on the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, so that the standard you learn here is always tied to the source. Send salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ whenever his name is mentioned and ask Allah for sincerity and understanding.

Edition details

Author: Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (RH). Language: English. A widely distributed English edition of this title runs to 384 pages, though editions differ, so please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock, including publisher, translator and year. Same-day dispatch from Srinagar. Delivery takes about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days across the rest of India.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote this book? Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (RH).

What is the original title? Al-Furqan bayna Awliya ar-Rahman wa Awliya ash-Shaytan.

Is it in English? Yes, this listing is for the English edition.

Is it suitable for beginners? It is a scholarly text, so beginners should read slowly and, if possible, with the guidance of a teacher.

How quickly will it reach me? We dispatch the same day from Srinagar. Delivery is about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days elsewhere in India.

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