Allah The Protector

No more doubt: He is your protector (Allah Al-Waliy)

Internalising the 99 Names of Allah.

Narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah has ninety-nine names . Whoever memorises them will enter Paradise.” [Al-Bukhari, 2736]

Memorising here, means to know the names and internalise its meanings. When one internalises the Names of Allah SWT, he should then partner it with acting upon it; such as remembering Allah SWT as the God, and nothing is comparable to Him.

An unseen protection.

The scholar Ibn Atheer mentions that the name “Al-Waliy” denotes dominion and power over the creations and the world as a whole. Al-Waliy is to have the power to protect, and this sense of potency is felt by Allah’s management, ability and actions on the world that He has created. The creations He can protect is in everything; be it the Earth, the animals, the humans (of believers and non-believers alike). However, his true protection is rendered to the believers, and no true protection is given to the disbelievers for their rejection of the truth.

He protects the believers.

The believers are distinguished through their obedience to Allah SWT and their staunch rejection of falsehood. For that, Allah Al-Waliy has promised them their protection from being at loss. Allah SWT says:

لَهُمۡ دَارُ ٱلسَّلَٰمِ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡۖ وَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

They will have the Home of Peace with their Lord, Who will be their Guardian because of what they used to do.

(Surah Al-An’am Verse 127)

This guardianship is one that Allah SWT has promised alomgside an abode of bliss for their hardwork in the Dunya.

Allah’s protection will suffice.

If you are scared and anxious on what will befall you or fearful of those that may harm you, seek comfort in the verse in Surah An-Nisa’ verse 45:

وَٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِأَعۡدَآئِكُمۡۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَلِيّٗا وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ نَصِيرٗا

Allah knows best who your enemies are! And Allah is sufficient as a Guardian, and He is sufficient as a Helper.

For the believers who are afraid of the vices of this world, this verse is to strengthen their hearts and remind that no matter what, Allah SWT suffices for them, and everything will go as how it is willed for.

Without protection, you are nothing.

Contrary to the believers, those who choose to reject the message of Allah SWT will be amongst the most regretful. This is in line with the parable that Allah SWT has expressed in Surah Al-Ankabut, where he mentions that the ones who seek protection from other than Allah, will be rendered useless and feeble. Allah mentions:

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡعَنكَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتۡ بَيۡتٗاۖ وَإِنَّ أَوۡهَنَ ٱلۡبُيُوتِ لَبَيۡتُ ٱلۡعَنكَبُوتِۚ لَوۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ

The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of a spider spinning a shelter. And the flimsiest of all shelters is certainly that of a spider, if only they knew. [29:41]

Protection apart from Allah SWT.

Do not take protection from matters apart from Allah SWT. In His verses, Allah SWT strictly warns the disbelievers from turning to other matters such as their pride, arrogance and other beings for protection and strength. Allah SWT says in Surah Al-Syura Verse 9:

أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوۡلِيَآءَۖ فَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلۡوَلِيُّ وَهُوَ يُحۡيِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ

How can they take protectors besides Him? Allah alone is the Protector. He alone gives life to the dead. And He alone is Most Capable of everything.

Allah’s protection is in providing light.

The ultimate protection is in divine guidance and Hidayah. When Allah SWT leads one to truth, the receiver of it is truly protected. Conversely, when a person is deprived from guidance, then for him is loss and his being is void from protection. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 257, Allah SWT mentions:

ٱللَّهُ وَلِيُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ يُخۡرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَوۡلِيَآؤُهُمُ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتُ يُخۡرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ ٱلنُّورِ إِلَى ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِۗ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ

Allah is the Guardian of the believers—He brings them out of darkness and into light. As for the disbelievers, their guardians are false gods who lead them out of light and into darkness. It is they who will be the residents of the Fire. They will be there forever.

No fear nor misery with His protection.

For those who place trust in Allah’s protection, there will be no such thing as fear and misery in their hearts, for the only One who is mightier than anything is He. Allah SWT says in Surah Yunus verse 62:

أَلَآ إِنَّ أَوۡلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ

Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve

What an honour to be known as an ally of Allah SWT, whom He grants His honourable protection.