At the end of Surah Al-Furqan, Allah, the most High, outlines a set of distinct attributes and characteristics describing faithful servants [Qur’an 25:63-73]. Effectively, Allah ﷻ gave the believers a checklist, a to-do list, to be in true servitude of Him, therefore subject to His Ultimate Mercy and achieve the highest rank in Paradise. These are very profound set of verses that are full of virtues, guidance and lessons. Much has been said and written about these verses yet so much more can be said.
In my brief study, I extracted 13 criterions (attributes) out of these verses. I wanted to clearly identify each of these attributes, so that it can be used as a checkpoint and a reference. Additionally, in order to fully understand these verses and their depth meanings, I went through several different tafsir books of the Qur’an – such as Ibn Kathir, Sa’di, Jalalain, Tafseer Ma’ni and others. I hope that Allah ﷻ allows us to derive some benefits from this humble effort and help us to become among those faithful servants.
Quick list [tl;dr]
All of the criterions can be divided into two categories – things that we should do, and things that we should not do. Here is a quick list of these 13 criterions separated into these two categories.
I put checkboxes next to these so we can tick them and see how many of these we are in compliance of and where we need to work harder. These checkboxes don’t do anything, just for visual purpose only.
Don’t
- Don’t make any partner with Allah
- Don’t kill anyone
- Don’t commit illegal sexual intercourse
- Don’t witness to falsehood
Do
- Walk with humility
- Address ignorant with gentleness
- Be dignified
- Spend wealth moderately
- Pray in the middle of nights
- Repent and follow with good deeds
- Seek refuge from Hell
- Supplicate for oneself and his family
- Reflect on signs of Allah
Below is the full article with brief explanation of these criterions and the reward that is promised for those who follow them.
The true servitudes of Allah
Allah ﷻ starts with very subtle and interesting linguistic eloquence to describe the type of servants He is addressing. The verse starts by saying ‘Ibaadu ar-Rahman (عِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ). The word ‘Ibaad (عِبَاد) means slaves (plural), and its singular is ‘Abd (عَبْد). Interestingly this word, ‘Abd (عَبْد), has two different plurals. First one is ‘Abeed (عَبِيد), which is used in different places in the Qur’an. But in this verse Allah ﷻ used the second plural ‘Ibaad (عِباد). The scholars explain that the first plural is used for general, all servants of Allah. But the plural that is used in this verse is more specific, which refers only to true or faithful slaves. Even more interestingly, the verse does not say ‘Ibaadu Allah (عِباد اللهِ) which would mean “the faithful slaves of Allah” as often used through out the Qur’an. Rather, in this verse, Allah’s alternate name Ar-Rahman الرحمان is used, which means the Most Merciful/Gracious. So basically, using only two words, Allah ﷻ is addressing the true faithful servants and at the same time promising His ultimate Mercy upon them!
The criterions
In the following, I listed the attributes in the exact order they appear in the Surah. Then, for each one of them, I provided a brief commentary referenced from various major tafsirs of the Qur’an so that the context and understanding is clear.
#1. Walk on the earth in humility
الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا
Al-Furqan 25:63
those who walk on the earth in humility.
They are humble and do not show any trace of arrogance or pride in them when the walk or deal with others [Sa’di]. There are other places in the Qur’an Allah also explicitly commands not to walk on the earth with carefree and arrogance – “walk not on the earth with conceit and arrogance” [Quran 17:37]. So they presence humbleness with dignity and serenity within them [Ibn Kathir].
#2. Address the foolish with mild and gentleness
وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
Al-Furqan 25:63
And when the foolish address them they reply back with peace.
If someone addresses them in arrogant manner, or say something that they dislike, they preserve themselves and say peace [Jalalayn]. However from the context it seems like word “salam سلام” here is not used simply for greetings, rather it is meant not to wrangle with the ignorants [Ahsanul Bayan]. Basically they don’t response to ignorance with ignorance [Sa’di]. They don’t necessarily have to respond with kindness, but say nothing of bad words. [Ibn Kathir]
#3. Pray parts of the night
وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَامًا
Al-Furqan 25:64
And those who spend the night before their Lord, prostrate and standing.
They stand for prayers in part of the nights, showing their humbleness and sincerity to their Lord [Sa’di]. Allah praised them saying “Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing during the hours of the night…” [Qur’an 39:9]. There are tremendous blessings in the last parts of the nights, however there are authenticate statements from the companions stating that whoever prays 2 rakats (units) after Magrib and 4 rakats after Isha would also be considered as compliance with this verse [Al-Qurtubi].
#4. Seek refuge from Hellfire
وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ
Al-Furqan 25:65
And those who say: “Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell.”
Allah ﷻ provided a specific supplication to seek refuge from the Hell in this complete verse and the next verse. (please see the full ayats at the bottom or refer to your mushaf). But in general, they ask forgiveness and also ask Allah to safeguard from anything that would lead to punishment of Allah [Sa’di]. And the best time to ask Allah is at the late part of the night, when He the most High descends to lowest heaven and accepts supplications [Bukhari, Muslim]. Therefore combining previous and this command together is the best approach to supplication.
#5. Spend in moderation
وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنْفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًا
Al-Furqan 25:66
And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).
They spend what Allah has provided for them, for their families and aslo in charities. They are not miserly. However they also do not spend more than what is needed. So they follow the balance way. [Ibn Kathir]. They also spend in an appropriate manner without causing hardship to themselves or others [Sa’di]. There is a beautiful verse in Qur’an in this regard – “Let not your hand be tied to your neck, nor stretch in forth to its utmost reach” [Quran 17:29]
In the next three commands Allah mentions three major sins in Islam that the true servants stay away from.
#6. Does not associate partner with Allah
وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا آخَرَ
Al-Furqan 25:68
And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah
They never associate partner with Allah ﷻ, as this is the greatest and most serious of the sins [Bukhari]. Allah stated in the Qur’an that he will forgive all other sins except for setting any type of partner(s) with Him [Qur’an 4:48]. So they worship Him alone and do not depend on anyone else other than Him ﷻ.
#7. Does not kill anyone
وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ
Al-Furqan 25:68
nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause
They do not kill any soul – whether Muslim or Non-Muslim. This is considered the second most serious sin in Islam [Bukhari]. Allah said “Whoever kills an innocent life it is as if he has killed all of humanity” [Qur’an 5:32]. The exception or the just cause for killing should be established by the ruler of the land as laid out by the laws of Allah.
#8. Does not commit fornication or adultry
وَلَا يَزْنُونَ ۚ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ
Al-Furqan 25:68
nor commit illegal sexual intercourse
They don’t commit fornication, or adultry. Rather they restrain their desires within their lawful spouses [Sa’di]. And if they are unmarried, they seek help through keeping fast [Bukhari]. Committing illegal sex is considered the third most gravious sin in Islam [Bukhari]
As indicated in the Qur’an and mentioned in various hadeeths, All of the above three sins – partnering with Allah ﷻ, unlawful killing, illegal sexual intercourse – are considered three major sins in Islam. In the next verses Allah talks about severe punishments for those who acts upon in these wrong doings. However, as with most cases, after mentioning of the punishments, He ﷻ gives a way to repentance.
#9. Repent followed with good deeds
وَمَنْ تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَإِنَّهُ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَتَابًا
Al-Furqan 25:71
And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds, then verily, he repents towards Allah with true repentance.
They repent to Allah constantly. Allah ﷻ commanded us to ask for forgiveness regardless of how severe it might be because “none can forgive sins except Allah” [Qur’an 3:135]. And Allah ﷻ assured His forgiveness “Ask forgiveness from your Lord. Verily He is Oft-Forgiving.” [Qur’an 71:10]. But the condition is that we don’t persist as Allah said “do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know” [Qur’an 3:135]. So repentance needs to be sincere, perfect and in the best manner [Sa’di].
#10. Do not witness to falsehood
وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ
Al-Furqan 25:72
And those who do not witness falsehood
They don’t give false witness by lying deliberately [Ibn Kathri]. Witnessing also refers to being in a gathering where false speech is taking place [Sa’di, Ibn Kathir]. The false speech could be speech that is speaking against Allah ﷻ, His revelation, His prophets, or backbiting, slander, gossips, insulting etc. [Sa’di]. False witness is also among the greatest sins [Bukhari]. Once prophet ﷺ repeated “Beware of false speech, and bearing witness to falsehood” for many times until the companions were hoping he would stop [Ibn Kathir, Muslim].
#11. Be dignified
وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا
Al-Furqan 25:72
and if they pass by [people engaged in] worthless/idle talk, they pass by it with dignity.
Just as they don’t find themselves in places of falsehood, when pass by such gatherings they honor themselves, do not get involve in these types of talk as well [Sa’di]. The idle talk here refers to obscenities, backbitings, gossips [Jalalain], or anything there is no good or has benefit in [Sa’di].
#12. Reflect on the signs of Allah
وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا
Al-Furqan 25:73
And those who, when they are reminded of the signs of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat.
The word “ayat” can mean several things – proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc [Tafseer Ma’ni]. They listen attentively to these ayats and don’t turn away their eyes and hearts [Sa’di], rather they look and benefit from them [Jalalain]. They are like those Allah mentioned “when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith and they put their trust in their Lord” [Qur’an 8:2]
#13. Supplicate, a beautiful supplication
وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
Al-Furqan 25:74
And those who say: “Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the pious”
They make this profound supplication to Allah, where they want not only the best for themselves, but pray for their spouses and children and the future descents to be among the righteous as well. They consider their families as gift from Allah and want to be coolness for them [Sa’di]. And they want their children to be leaders who would be an example in goodness among the people [At-Tabari, Ibn Kathir].
The rewards
In the rest of the verses Allah gives glade tidings for these true slaves of Allah ﷻ, the ones who follow all of the previous criterions and strive to obtain and hold those attributes.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ ٱلْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَـٰمًا. خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ حَسُنَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا
Al-Furqan 25:75-76
Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace. Abiding eternally therein. Excellent is the settlement and residence.
Allah recognizes that keeping steadfast to these attributes and characteristics is not easy, as it will require patients and steadfastness. However, the one who does so will be greeted with peace by their Lord ﷻ and the angels [Sa’di] in the highest place in Paradise. Paradise has many different layers and degrees. The highest one is closest to the Throne of Allah ﷻ [Bukhari]. They will settle in there for eternity – they won’t die or exit the Paradise, and they will never wish to move out from there nor ever get bored [Ibn Kathir]. And then Allah assures that it, the Paradise, is indeed an excellent abode to be in forever. Who else could give us better insight and advice about the Heavens and the earths other than the one Who created them?
We should take moments to reflect upon these characteristics of a believer that Allah mentioned one after another in these verses. We should make sure that we are in compliance and adhere to each and every one of these criterions. May Allah make us among the true servants of Him, the most Gracious.
Complete verses (Al-Furqan 63-76)
وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًا ﴿٦٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَـٰمًا ﴿٦٤﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا ﴿٦٥﴾ إِنَّهَا سَآءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا ﴿٦٦﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا۟ وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا۟ وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًا ﴿٦٧﴾وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّـهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّـهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا ﴿٦٨﴾ يُضَـٰعَفْ لَهُ ٱلْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِۦ مُهَانًا ﴿٦٩﴾ إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَـٰلِحًا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّـهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ حَسَنَـٰتٍ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّـهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿٧٠﴾ وَمَن تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَإِنَّهُۥ يَتُوبُ إِلَى ٱللَّـهِ مَتَابًا ﴿٧١﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا۟ بِٱللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا۟ كِرَامًا ﴿٧٢﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا۟ عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا ﴿٧٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا ﴿٧٤﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ ٱلْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَـٰمًا ﴿٧٥﴾ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ حَسُنَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace, (63) And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer] (64) And those who say, “Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering; (65) Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence.” (66) And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate (67)And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. (68) Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated – (69) Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. (70) And he who repents and does righteousness does indeed turn to Allah with [accepted] repentance. (71) And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity. (72) And those who, when reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind. (73) And those who say, “Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.” (74) Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace. (75) Abiding eternally therein. Good is the settlement and residence.
Al-Furqan 63-76
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