No love in this world is greater than the love of Allah for His sincere believers and worshippers. And that in fact should be the endeavour of every Muslim to do whatever is humanly possible to get closer to their Creator so that are blessed, guided and loved.
In our series of Hadith Qudsi, we share today a well-known narration where Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) reports a profound statement from Allah. This hadith is a narration where Allah speaks directly to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), revealing His will and intentions in a personal manner and is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī (Book 81: To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq) / كتاب الرقاق / Chapter 38: The humility or modesty or lowliness / باب التَّوَاضُعِ / as Hadith 6502, given herein under:
Narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:
"Allah said, 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My Refuge) and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him."
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلاَلٍ، حَدَّثَنِي شَرِيكُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي نَمِرٍ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَالَ مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ، وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ عَبْدِي بِشَىْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَىَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَىَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ، فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ، وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ، وَيَدَهُ الَّتِي يَبْطُشُ بِهَا وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِي يَمْشِي بِهَا، وَإِنْ سَأَلَنِي لأُعْطِيَنَّهُ، وَلَئِنِ اسْتَعَاذَنِي لأُعِيذَنَّهُ، وَمَا تَرَدَّدْتُ عَنْ شَىْءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ تَرَدُّدِي عَنْ نَفْسِ الْمُؤْمِنِ، يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَأَنَا أَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُ ".
This hadith beautifully describes the deep relationship between Allah and His devoted worshippers. It emphasizes the importance of both obligatory and voluntary acts of worship in drawing closer to Allah. Allah promises to protect, guide, and answer the prayers of His beloved servants, and He is deeply merciful, even in matters like death. The hadith shows how much Allah loves His believers and how He is always with them, guiding them and fulfilling their needs, as long as they remain sincere in their worship.
This hadith explains several key concepts about Allah's relationship with His believers, focusing on His mercy, love, and guidance. Let's look at the different parts of the hadith and explain their meanings:
"I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine."
- Meaning: Allah is saying that if someone shows hostility, harm, or opposition to a sincere and pious worshiper (a true servant of Allah), He will oppose that person. This highlights the sanctity of those who are devoted to worship and the protection Allah provides to His sincere believers.
- Significance: This is a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of those who are righteous and dedicated to their faith. Those who oppose or harm them will face consequences because of Allah's protection over His servants.
- Related Qur'anic Concept: This idea of protecting the believers and punishing those who harm them is echoed in the Qur'an. For example, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:190) says: "Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors." Allah protects His believers, and those who harm them will face consequences.
"The most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him."
- Meaning: Allah is telling us that the most beloved acts to Him are the ones He has commanded us to do — the obligatory acts of worship like the five daily prayers (Salah), fasting in Ramadan, giving charity (Zakat), and other essential duties.
- Significance: This emphasizes the importance of fulfilling the obligations prescribed by Allah. These acts of worship are the foundation of a Muslim's relationship with Allah.
- Related Qur'anic Concept: In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), Allah says: "It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward the East or the West, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets..." This verse highlights that fulfilling Allah’s commandments is the core of righteousness.
"My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (extra deeds) till I love him..."
