Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as stating that God has said, “If anyone is hostile to a friend of mine, I have declared war against him. No one draws near to me with anything dearer to me than what I have made obligatory for him. If my servant keeps drawing near to me with supererogatory acts I shall love him, and when I love him I shall be his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he grasps and his foot with which he walks. If he asks from me I shall certainly give him and if he seeks refuge in me I shall certainly give him refuge. I have not hesitated about anything I do as I hesitate about taking the soul of a believer who dislikes death, for I dislike grieving him, but he cannot escape it.” Bukhari transmitted it.
Divine Friendship and Proximity
This sacred hadith qudsi reveals profound truths about Allah's relationship with His servants. The opening establishes that hostility toward God's beloved servants constitutes a declaration of divine war, emphasizing the sanctity of spiritual friendship (wilayah).
Hierarchy of Devotional Acts
Allah clarifies that obligatory acts (fara'id) hold the highest rank in drawing near to Him. Supererogatory acts (nawafil) follow as secondary means, demonstrating that the foundation of worship rests upon fulfilling divine commandments before pursuing additional devotions.
Metaphysical Transformation
When a servant persistently performs supererogatory acts, Allah bestows divine love, resulting in a spiritual transformation where the servant's faculties become divinely guided. This doesn't indicate incarnation (hulul) but rather divine assistance and protection in all actions.
Guaranteed Response to Supplication
The hadith guarantees response to the beloved servant's prayers and protection when sought. This reflects the special status attained through consistent devotion, where the servant's will aligns with divine will.
Divine Compassion in Death
Allah's hesitation in taking the believer's soul, despite the believer's dislike of death, demonstrates ultimate divine mercy. This illustrates that death, though inevitable, occurs within the framework of Allah's compassionate wisdom.
Source: Mishkat al-Masabih 2266 | Book: Supplications | Author: Mishkat al-Masabih