Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam o alaikum,

I have met many people who say that Allah enhances the capacity and power of understanding to those people who are nearer to him and the quote verse Aytalqursi (no one knows of his knowledge but if he wishes...) they take the benefit to these lines and tell their students that here Allah saw declares that we are nearer to him.

Please clarify.

Thanks & Wassalam,

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Nearness to Allah

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 186:

186 When My servants ask thee (O Prophet (saws)) concerning Me, (let them know that) I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 255-257:

255 Allah! There is no Allah but He the living the Self-subsisting Eternal. No slumber can seize him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to his creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of his knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. For He is the Most High the Supreme (in glory).

256 Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error; whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.

257 Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light.

Allah says in the Holy Quran: Chapter 49 Surah Hujurat verse 13:
O mankind, We created you from one man and one woman, and then divided you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another. Indeed, the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most pious of you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

In light of the guidance of the Glorious Quran, Allah is indeed very close to all His creation with His Knowledge, for He indeed is the All-Knowing and is well Aware of the condition of each in His creation.

But amongst mankind, the one who is closest or most honorable in the Sight of Allah is without doubt those who posses the most piety or God-consciousness, and Allah Subhanah does enhance the capacity and understanding of such good people towards Him and His Way.

Your Statement: they take the benefit to these lines and tell their students that here Allah saw declares that we are nearer to him.

One of the main conditions of true piety and God-consciousness is that the person will never ever boast of his virtues and piousness, but will always strive to remain a fearful servant of Allah Subhanah.

If any amongst mankind declares their own piety to people, and in their arrogance and ignorance start claiming that they themselves are pious and have attained the status of nearness to Allah, and thus Allah has enhanced their capacity and understanding of the deen, know with conviction that such people possess no piety at all; for had they truly loved Allah and were truly pious, they would never ever have dared to assume themselves as superior to the other slaves of Allah!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 25 Surah Furqan verses 63-66:

63 And the servants of (Allah) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility and when the ignorant address them they say "Peace!"

64 Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord prostrate and standing;

65 Those who say "Our Lord! avert from us the Wrath of Hell for its Wrath is indeed an affliction grievous,

66 Evil indeed is it as an abode and as a place to rest in"

The true servants of Allah who truly possess piety constantly fear Allah Subhanah and are foremost in seeking refuge in the Lord in all humility, and constantly fear His Anger and His Punishment. In reality it is these humble slaves of Allah who are nearest to Him , and these are those fortunate people for whom Allah enhances their capacity and understanding of His Deen.

It is only the arrogant and the ignorant who do not truly fear Allah, but seek to accumulate honor and praise in this world from their followers who go about proclaiming their piety and nearness to the Lord….these arrogant and boastful people have obviously not recognized the True Worth of Allah Subhanah and His Deen, nor are they blessed with piety and God-consciousness, nor do they have any weight in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan