The Friends of Allah and The Friends of Shaytan By Shaykhul-Islam Ahmad Ibn Taymiyyah

The enmity between mankind and Shaytan began when Adam (peace be upon him) was created. Shaytan refused to prostrate, became arrogant, and from that moment made a sworn commitment to mislead the children of Adam by every means available to him. He has kept that commitment.

The Friends of Allah and the Friends of Shaytan by Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah — a complete translation of al-Furqan bayna Awliya ar-Rahman wa Awliya ash-Shaytan — is one of the most important works in Islamic aqeedah for understanding who the true allies of Allah are, what distinguishes them from the allies of Shaytan, and how to tell the difference in an age when the two are routinely confused.

What This Book Covers

Who Are the Awliya of Allah?

The Qur'an establishes clearly: "Unquestionably, the allies of Allah will have no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve — those who believed and used to fear Allah." (Surah Yunus: 62–63). Ibn Taymiyyah anchors the entire discussion in this ayah: the wali of Allah is defined not by mystical experiences, extraordinary states, or apparent miracles, but by two qualities — iman and taqwa. Anyone who claims a special closeness to Allah that bypasses these two foundations is making a claim without support from the Qur'an and Sunnah.

The Critical Distinction: Karamat vs. Istidraj

One of the most valuable sections of the book deals with miracles and extraordinary occurrences. Not every supernatural event is a sign of Allah's favor — some are istidraj, Allah allowing a person to fall deeper into misguidance by granting them what they want. Ibn Taymiyyah establishes the criteria for distinguishing between a genuine karamah (miracle granted to a true wali) and an istidraj, providing the reader with a framework for evaluating claims that cannot be found clearly articulated anywhere else in the English Islamic literature.

Refuting Those Who Have Gone Astray

Written at a time when Sufi saint-veneration had deeply penetrated Muslim societies, Ibn Taymiyyah methodically addresses the deviant claims made about specific individuals and the practices that grew up around the supposed "awliya." His refutation is comprehensive — not angry or dismissive, but thoroughly grounded in the Qur'an, Sunnah, and the understanding of the Salaf, demonstrating that genuine closeness to Allah is accessible to every sincere believer through the established means, not through special chains of initiation or mystical hierarchies.

About the Author

Shaykhul-Islam Ahmad ibn Abd al-Halim Ibn Taymiyyah (661–728 AH) was one of the greatest scholars in Islamic history — a master of aqeedah, fiqh, and hadith who spent his life defending the creed of the Salaf. This book is published by Dar as-Sunnah Publishers.

Who This Book Is For

Every Muslim who wants a clear, evidence-based understanding of what the Qur'an and Sunnah actually say about the awliya of Allah — especially important in an environment where Sufi and folk religious concepts of sainthood remain widespread. Essential reading for students of aqeedah.