The purpose behind the creation of all beings is the worship of the Creator, the knowledge of His Names, Attributes, and Actions. The more a servant increases in knowing his Lord, the more his faith grows, and the more he loves, obeys, and avoids disobeying Him. Among the most beautiful Names and exalted Attributes of Allah are Al-Muta‘āl (the Supremely Exalted), Al-‘Aliyy (the Most High), and Al-A‘lā (the Highest). Allah says about Himself:
"Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Grand, the Exalted." [Surah Ar-Ra‘d: 9]

Allah—Exalted is His Majesty—is the Highest in His Essence and in the greatness of His Attributes. Everything is under His power and dominion. He is the Exalted above all, and there is none higher than Him. He is above His heavens, established on His Throne, distinct from His creation, yet He is with His creation through His knowledge, will, encompassing power, command, ability, and dominance. Nothing is hidden from Him; nothing can overpower Him.

Both "transcendence" and "companionship" are attributes that are firmly established for the Most Merciful by clear texts from the Qur'an and Sunnah, and by the consensus of the righteous predecessors of this Ummah. One does not negate the other. Allah says:
"There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing." [Surah Ash-Shura: 11]

And He says:
"It is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then established Himself on the Throne. He knows what enters the earth and what emerges from it, what descends from the sky and what ascends therein. And He is with you wherever you are. And Allah is Seeing of what you do." [Surah Al-Hadid: 4]

This refers to His knowledge. He also says:
"Do you not see that Allah knows what is in the heavens and the earth? There is no private conversation among three but that He is the fourth of them, nor among five but that He is the sixth of them—nor fewer than that or more, but that He is with them wherever they are. Then He will inform them of what they did on the Day of Resurrection. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing of everything." [Surah Al-Mujādilah: 7]

This is the general companionship that encompasses all creation. As for the special companionship, it is for Allah’s Prophets, Messengers, and the righteous among His servants. It includes His support, protection, love, guidance, care, and aid.

When Allah commanded Musa and Harun (peace be upon them) to confront Pharaoh, they said:
"Our Lord! Indeed, we fear that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress."
Allah responded:
"Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see." [Surah Taha: 45–46]
Meaning: I am with you through My protection, support, and aid. Their hearts were comforted by the promise of their Lord.

And when Pharaoh and his army surrounded Musa and his people, the companions of Musa thought they were doomed:
"Indeed, we are to be overtaken!" [Surah Ash-Shu‘arā’: 61]
But Musa replied with absolute faith, confidence, and trust in his Lord:
"No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me." [Surah Ash-Shu‘arā’: 62]
Whoever has Allah with him will have victory, support, strength, and direction.

Allah also said to our Prophet ﷺ:
"Be patient for the decision of your Lord, for you are under Our Eyes." [Surah At-Tūr: 48]
Meaning: You are under Our constant observation, care, and protection. The Prophet ﷺ always felt Allah's nearness, support, and protection.

When he was in the cave during the migration, and the Quraysh came close to discovering them, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"If one of them were to look down at his feet, he would see us."
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"What do you think, O Abu Bakr, of two whose third is Allah?" (Narrated by Bukhari)

In that moment, Allah revealed:
"If you do not aid him—Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, 'Do not grieve; indeed, Allah is with us.'" [Surah At-Tawbah: 40]

The true cause of sorrow, O servants of Allah, is being deprived of Allah’s companionship. Without it, a person is left alone to face his griefs. But the awareness of Allah’s companionship brings peace and tranquility, and clears the heart of sorrow and distress.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“Whoever knows Allah, must love Him. And whoever loves Him, all clouds of darkness vanish from his heart, and his heart is filled with joy and happiness. Good news and glad tidings come to him from every direction. There is never sorrow with Allah.”

He continued:
"True sorrow is for the one who misses out on Allah. Whoever finds Allah, what has he lost? And whoever misses out on Allah, what has he really gained?"

O believers, the special companionship of Allah also reached Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when he was thrown into the fire. Allah said:
"O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham." [Surah Al-Anbiyā’: 69]

It also reached Yunus (peace be upon him) when he was in three layers of darkness: the darkness of night, the darkness of the sea, and the darkness of the belly of the whale.
"He cried out within the darknesses, 'There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.' So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers." [Surah Al-Anbiyā’: 87–88]

Just as Allah supported His prophets and messengers, He also supports their followers:
"Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe during the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will stand." [Surah Ghāfir: 51]

For this reason, the righteous among the believers—men and women—are always turning to Allah, relying upon Him, and feeling His nearness and mercy.

In Sahih al-Bukhari, the story of Hajar, the wife of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), is narrated. When Ibrahim left her in a barren valley with no vegetation, water, or human soul, she said:
"O Ibrahim! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley with no people or anything?"
He did not reply. She repeated her question several times, then asked:
"Did Allah command you to do this?"
He replied, “Yes.”
She said:
"Then He will not abandon us."

(And thus do We save the believers) [Surah Al-Anbiyā’: 88]

A believer feels the companionship of Allah—Glorified be He—in his sleep and his waking, in the morning and evening. When he wakes, he says:
"We have entered a new morning and so has the kingdom of Allah."
And in the evening:
"We have entered a new evening and so has the kingdom of Allah."
When going to sleep:
"In Your name, my Lord, I lie down and in Your name I rise."
And when waking:
"Praise be to Allah who gave us life after causing us to die, and to Him is the resurrection."

He is constantly aware of Allah’s nearness in his acts of worship, his dealings, his earning and spending, his solitude and public life—even in his trials and the loss of loved ones.

In the Sahihayn, when the Prophet’s son Ibrahim passed away, the Prophet ﷺ wept and said:
"The eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, but we do not say except what pleases our Lord. And indeed, O Ibrahim, we are grieved by your loss."

Thus, the believer lives with Allah’s companionship in times of ease and hardship, in prosperity and adversity. His entire life—his religion and worldly affairs, his life and death—are all for Allah.
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil:
"Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.'" [Surah Al-An‘ām: 162–163]