Surah Yunus — Verse 63

Word Meanings:

• Āmanū (آمَنُوا): They believed — having sincere faith in Allah, His Messenger, and all that was revealed from Him.
• Yattaqūn (يَتَّقُونَ): They were mindful of Allah — guarding themselves against disobedience by fulfilling His commands and avoiding His prohibitions.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse describes the true friends of Allah (awliyā’ Allah) — those whom Allah honors with His love, care, and protection. Their defining qualities are two:

First, faith (īmān): They sincerely believe in Allah, His Messenger, and the truth of everything revealed from Him. This is not mere lip service, but a conviction that settles deeply in the heart and manifests in their words and deeds.

Second, mindfulness of Allah (taqwā): They continuously strive to obey Allah’s commands and steer clear of what He has forbidden. Their faith is not static — it is alive, driving them to constantly improve their relationship with their Lord. They are ever-conscious that Allah sees them, and this awareness shapes their choices in every moment.

These two qualities are inseparable: true faith naturally leads to taqwā, and taqwā strengthens and purifies faith. The verse uses the past tense "kānū" (they were) to indicate that this is their established, ongoing state — not a temporary phase, but a steadfast way of life.

A Call to the Reader:

Dear believer, this verse opens the door to the highest rank — being among Allah’s beloved friends. You do not need wealth, fame, or extraordinary abilities to reach this station. All you need is sincere faith in your heart and a determined effort to live in obedience to Allah. Every prayer you guard, every sin you avoid for His sake, every honest word you speak — these are the building blocks of that noble status. Allah’s friendship is not distant or unattainable; it is as close as your next sincere step toward Him. So let this verse inspire you: strengthen your faith, and let your taqwā be your constant companion. For when Allah befriends you, no fear shall overcome you, and no grief shall touch your heart — as the very next verse promises.