``THE FRIENDS OF ALLAH HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR, NOR SHALL THEY GRIEVE.''

      To get out the meaning of the verse, we first have to know who the friends of God are:ِ

      The Arabic, ``OWLIÄ'' is the plural for ``VALI'' which we have it translated to ``FRIENDS'' but it implies the nearness of two things with having no intermediator or middleman. The word has also been used as friends, and incharge. Therefore the ``OWLIÄ'' of Allah who have no fear and grieve not, are those between whom and God, there is no distance or medium, and the veil and cover from their hearts have been removed and taken away. Through their pure faith and righteous deeds, they can see God so sure and clear, that there remains no room for doubt in their hearts. In their eyes nothing is comparable with Allah in value and worth. He who sees the great Ocean, a droplet can have no importance in his sight, and he who is in the sunshine, is indifferent to the light of a candle stick. So, how can there be fear and grieve in a heart which is filled with the love for God?

      The friends of God are free from all the material chains of this world, and fear, grief, and anxiety, touches them not.

      Therefore, the true spiritual comfort and real mental tranquillity is theirs.

      When Allah is the mere goodness, Allِmercy, and who never oppresses His creatures the least, why should then anyone, except the sinners and guilties be afraid of him?

      There is an English proverb saying:ِ ``An honest man has nothing to fear.''

      On the other hand there is no room for sinning in those who are near to Him and who love their God with a sincere and pure heart.

      In the verses that follow, (NO.62ِ63) the friends of God have been defined by two distinct qualifications namely, FAITH and PIETY:ِ

      ``Those who believed and were piousِfor them is glad tidings in this world and in the life to come.''

      They will enjoy of the physical and spiritual bounties of this present life, and also that of the life to come.

      And finally in the last of these verses, Allah consoles His Messenger whose enemies have taunted him with critical words and scornful remarks:

      ``Let not their words grieve you, that honor entirely belongs to Allah who hears whatever they say and knows whatever they do, and can turn back their actions to them in the form of very hard reactions.''

      When God is the source of all beings whatever they be, and the main cause of all that comes to existence, then in His hand of power must lay all honors, respects and dignities,and therefore He is the giver of honor and respect to anyone who is honorable and respectful.

      To-day; after the elapse of fifteen centuries, by casting a swift glance to Mohammad, and all his opponents throughout the history, we can clearly see who is honoured and who is dishonored and despised.