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In the last section (rukū') of Surah Al-Furqan, Allah mentions fifteen verses in which He describes several noble qualities of His special servants-those whom He honors with the title "Ibadur-Rahman."
The believers who possess these thirteen qualities will be granted lofty chambers in Paradise. These upper chambers will appear to the rest of the people of Jannah like stars appear to the people of the earth. They will also receive the special honor of angels greeting them with congratulations and peace.
1. First Quality of Ibadur-Rahman: Servitude ('Ubudiyyah)
They are true servants of Allah.
In Surah Al-Furqan, Allah says:
Allah begins their description with "Ibad"-servants-indicating that their first quality is complete servitude. A true servant acts only according to the will of his Master. Their daily activities are aligned with what pleases Allah.
They fulfill both the rights of Allah and the rights of His creation. Nothing they do is based on personal whims. To impose one's own desire-"I will do this, I won't do that"-is contrary to servitude.
2. Second Quality: Mercy (Rahmah)
The second quality mentioned is tied to the Divine attribute "Ar-Rahman." Allah could have said "the servants of Allah," but instead He chose the name Rahman, the Most Merciful. Rahman is a name unique to Allah and cannot be used for humans except in a construction like "Abdur-Rahman."
So the servants of the Most Merciful must themselves embody mercy. Even if they show sternness at times, it is only out of necessity, not due to harsh nature. Their temperament is gentle-they are merciful because they belong to the One who is infinitely merciful.
Allah's Infinite Mercy
This is affirmed in a well-known Hadith Qudsi: كَتَبَ عِنْدَهُ فَوْقَ عَرْشِهِ : إِنَّ رَحْمَتِي سَبَقَتْ غَضَبِي Recorded above the Throne: "Indeed, My mercy surpasses My anger." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The Prophet ﷺ as a Mercy
Allah says: { وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ } "We did not send you except as a mercy to all worlds." (Al-Anbiya 107)
And in Surah At-Tawbah: { لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ ... بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ } Describing the Prophet ﷺ as deeply concerned for us, gentle and merciful to the believers.
Thus, the true servants of Allah must also be inherently gentle and merciful, following Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
3. Third Quality: Humility in Walking
"الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا" They walk on the earth with calmness and dignity.
Two Ways of Walking
Allah says in Surah Bani Isra'il: { وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا } "Do not walk on the earth with pride." { إِنَّكَ لَنْ تَخْرِقَ الْأَرْضَ ... } "You cannot tear the earth apart nor reach the mountains in height."
Thus, the first trait mentioned is humility-even visible in their walk.
4. Fourth Quality: Peaceful Speech
"وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا"
When the ignorant address them harshly, they respond with words of peace. Their speech is refined and respectful, never rude. Even when confronted with disrespect, they reply with dignity.
The Qur'an Teaches the Manners of Speech
Allah says: { يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا } "O believers! Fear Allah and speak upright words." (Al-Ahzab 70-71)
Good word choice is essential. Even in the face of ignorance, believers respond with peace.
5. Fifth Quality: Night Prayer (Tahajjud)
"وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَامًا"
They spend their nights prostrating and standing before their Lord.
Their intimate connection with Allah is strongest during the quiet of night. Their solitude becomes a meeting with Allah-sometimes in prostration, sometimes standing, sometimes preparing for prayer.
"Yabītūn" means to spend the night; hence "bayt" (house) is where one spends the night. Allah describes their nights as filled with worship.
6. Sixth Quality: Fear of Hell and Continuous Dua
"وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّم"
They constantly supplicate: "O our Lord, turn away from us the punishment of Hell."
{ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا } Its punishment clings-none can remove it except Allah.
Even though they spend their nights in worship, by morning they are trembling, asking Allah to save them. This deep fear is itself a mark of true faith.
We must ask Allah for protection from Hell, just as we ask Him for all needs.
7. Seventh Quality: Moderation in Spending
"وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنْفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ قَوَامًا"
They neither waste nor are miserly; instead, they adopt balanced spending.
8. Eighth Quality: Avoidance of Shirk
"وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهًا آخَرَ"
They call upon none besides Allah.
Shirk is the greatest sin. Allah says:
{ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ ... } Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him. (An-Nisa 48)
They avoid shirk and everything that may lead to shirk.
9. Ninth Quality: Avoiding Unlawful Killing
"وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ"
They do not kill any soul that Allah has forbidden-except by right (such as legal justice).
10. Tenth Quality: Avoiding Zina (Fornication)
"وَلَا يَزْنُونَ"
They do not commit zina, nor do they go near it.
In the era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), shirk, murder, and zina were widespread-just as zina is extremely common in many non-Islamic societies today.
Allah warns: { وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَا ... } "Do not go near zina; it is indeed a shameful, evil path." (Al-Isra 32)
11. Eleventh Quality: Avoiding False Testimony
"وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ"
They never give false testimony. It is among the worst forms of lying.
12. Twelfth Quality: Avoiding Idle and Useless Activities
"وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا"
When they pass by useless or indecent activities, they pass with dignity-avoiding participation.
13. Thirteenth Quality: Listening and Acting with Open Hearts
"وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا"
When reminded of Allah's signs, they are not deaf or blind to them.
Believers listen attentively, understand, and act. They are not like disbelievers described as: { صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ } "Deaf, dumb, and blind." (Al-Baqarah 18)
A believer opens his ears to truth and follows it.
14. Fourteenth Quality: Being a Blessing for Family
The essence of the fourteenth quality: They do not focus only on reforming themselves; they gently guide their spouses, children, and closest family members.
They constantly make dua:
{ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا } "O our Lord, grant us from our spouses and offspring the coolness of our eyes, and make us leaders for the righteous."
The Reward for Ibadur-Rahman
أُولَئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا
They will be awarded high chambers in Paradise because they remained steadfast-controlling their desires, bearing hardships, and practicing patience throughout their lives. Their reward is elevated ranks in Jannah.
Umme Muhammad is a writer and muallimah of Islamic studies dedicated to sharing practical, heart-centered lessons from the Qur'an and Sunnah. She focuses on family ethics, spiritual growth, and character development. She can be reached at: [email protected]
Website: islamteaching.com/scholars
Allah Forgives Every Heart That Calls
