A Natural, Living, and Practical Understanding in the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah
Written by: Sahibzada Shahid Siddiq
Anjuman Gulzar-e-Madina International
⸻
Religion is often presented as if Allah Almighty has demanded from human beings only
blind obedience, strict submission, and unquestioning compliance.
As if Allah is only a ruler,
and the human being is merely a silent, frightened subject.
But when we study the Qur’an deeply
and reflect upon the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with understanding,
a very different, living, and human picture emerges.
Allah Almighty did not ask only for obedience —
Allah asked for a relationship.
And that relationship is fully aligned with human nature,
human emotions, and everyday human experience.
⸻
1) Allah Spoke to Humans Through Relationships, Not Cold Law
Human beings understand relationships before they understand law.
They know how to respect parents,
how to honor elders,
how to acknowledge kindness and care.
Allah Almighty built His message on this very human understanding.
The Qur’an states:
وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you show kindness to parents.”
— Surah Al-Isra 17:23
This is not a coincidence.
Allah deliberately placed His worship and kindness to parents in the same verse.
It clearly teaches us that:
Allah speaks to human beings in the language of relationships.
⸻
2) Allah Did Not Demand Anything Unnatural from Humans
Allah did not say:
• Become angels
• Never make mistakes
• Be perfect at all times
Instead, Allah says:
يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ
“Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185
And He also says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا
“Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.”
— Surah Az-Zumar 39:53
These verses show that Allah’s relationship with humans is built on
mercy, hope, and ease,
not on fear and punishment alone.
⸻
3) If Allah Only Wanted Obedience, Love Would Not Be Mentioned
The Qur’an clearly states:
يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ
“He loves them, and they love Him.”
— Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:54
Love cannot be forced.
Love does not come from commands alone.
Love only exists where there is connection and choice.
This verse proves that the relationship between Allah and His servants
is not one-sided authority,
but a mutual bond of love.
⸻
4) The Concept of Friendship — Presented by the Qur’an Itself
This is a delicate but extremely important point.
The Qur’an says:
أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
“Behold! Indeed, the friends of Allah — there will be no fear upon them, nor will they grieve.”
— Surah Yunus 10:62
The word “Awliya” means:
• Close ones
• Friends
• Protectors
• Those with a special bond
This term was not created by humans.
Allah Himself used it.
Meaning:
Allah does not only want obedient servants —
He elevates loyal, sincere servants to the level of His friends.
⸻
5) Friendship with Allah — Not Equality, But Closeness Within Servitude
Balance is essential here.
In Islam:
• Friendship with Allah does not mean equality
• It does not mean carelessness or disrespect
Rather, it means:
Closeness with humility
Love with reverence
Trust with loyalty
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) عليه السلام was called Khalilullah —
the intimate friend of Allah,
yet he always remained a servant.
This balance is the beauty of Islam.
⸻
6) Why Allah Converted His Obedience into the Obedience of the Prophet ﷺ
This is one of the central wisdoms of Islam.
Allah knew that:
• Humans cannot directly perceive the unseen
• Humans learn best through living examples
So Allah declared:
مَن يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ
“Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.”
— Surah An-Nisa 4:80
Allah transformed His obedience
into the obedience of His Beloved ﷺ
so that the Prophet ﷺ could teach us:
• How to speak to Allah
• How to ask from Allah
• How to complain to Allah
• How to return to Allah after mistakes
⸻
7) The Prophet ﷺ Made the Relationship with Allah Living and Real
The Prophet ﷺ:
• Spoke to Allah
• Wept before Allah
• Prolonged his prostrations
• Turned to Allah first in every difficulty
This teaches us that:
Allah is not only a Ruler —
He is a Listener, a Companion, and a Near Lord.
A Hadith Qudsi states:
“My servant continues to draw closer to Me through voluntary acts until I love him…”
— Sahih al-Bukhari
This closeness is the foundation of wilayah (friendship with Allah).
⸻
The Practical Meaning of Friendship with Allah — Sharing Everything
This is the point that turns belief into daily practice.
Just as we:
• Share everything with our best friend
• Talk about happiness, pain, fear, confusion
• Seek advice in decisions
We should speak to Allah in the same way.
The Qur’an says:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ
“And when My servants ask you about Me, indeed I am near.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah 2:186
⸻
(a) Speaking to Allah — Real, Not Formal
Speaking to Allah is not limited to:
• Arabic phrases only
• Fixed wording
• Formal moments
The language of the heart,
tears, silence, and emotions
are all forms of supplication.
⸻
(b) Seeking Allah’s Advice — The Reality of Istikhara
The Prophet ﷺ taught Istikhara
so that believers would include Allah in their decisions.
This teaches us:
The greatest advisor is Allah.
⸻
(c) Complaining Only to Allah — The Essence of Friendship
Prophet Ya‘qub (Jacob) عليه السلام said:
إِنَّمَا أَشْكُو بَثِّي وَحُزْنِي إِلَى اللَّهِ
“I only complain of my sorrow and grief to Allah.”
— Surah Yusuf 12:86
Complaints are not made to enemies.
They are made to those we trust.
⸻
(d) Allah Already Knows — So Why Speak?
Not because Allah is unaware,
but because:
Speaking relieves the heart
Strengthens the bond
Deepens the relationship
⸻
9) The Only Difference Is “Limits” — This Is Tawheed
Allah did not say:
• Stop honoring parents
• Stop respecting people
He said:
• Honor everyone
• But recognize only One as Lord
Therefore:
• Prostration is only for Allah
• Final authority is Allah’s
• Halal and Haram belong to Allah
All other relationships exist
under the relationship with Allah.
⸻
A Comprehensive Conclusion
Allah did not say:
“Fear Me only”
“Obey without feeling”
“Keep your heart away”
Rather, Allah said:
“Recognize Me as your Lord —
as you understand relationships,
but with greater reverence.
And if you remain loyal,
I will not only accept you as My servant —
I will take you as My friend.”
⸻
Final Supplication
O Allah,
do not make us servants who obey without understanding,
but make us servants who connect, trust, and speak to You.
Protect us from careless freedom and fearful slavery.
Teach us, through the way of Your Beloved ﷺ,
how to speak to You,
how to seek Your counsel,
and how to rely upon You completely.
Ameen, O Lord of the worlds.
Wa-s-Salaam
Written by:
Sahibzada Shahid Siddiq
Anjuman Gulzar-e-Madina International