Who are the true friends of the believers in this world?

Allah is the friend of believers. He is the protector and guardian of believers who take Him as their friend, and who seek only His good pleasure. There is the aid and support of Allah behind all the deeds of the believers. Every act that believers perform, seeking the pleasure of Allah, results in an absolute goodness. It is stated in one verse that “Allah is with those who fulfil their duty and with those who are good-doers.” (Surat an-Nahl, 128) In another verse Allah gives the good news of His support to believers as follows:

Allah is the Protector of those who believe. He brings them out of the darkness into the light… (Surat al-Baqara, 257)

Besides this, believers are the friends and protectors of one another. They invite each other to goodness and forbid evil. They aim to direct each other to Paradise, and to raise each other’s rank in the Hereafter. Allah has informed believers in the Qur’an whom they should take as friends:

Your friend is only Allah and His Messenger and those who believe: those who establish prayer and pay alms, and bow. As for those who make Allah their friend, and His Messenger and those who believe: it is the party of Allah who are victorious!  (Surat al-Ma’ida, 55-56)

Who are the true friends of the believers in this world?