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."
Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) conveys a profound message about the relationship between Allah and His believers. Allah declares that anyone who opposes His pious servants is at war with Him. The hadith emphasizes the significance of obligatory acts of worship and the additional voluntary deeds that draw one closer to Allah, culminating in divine love and support.
Modern Application
This principle can be applied in daily life through the practice of daily salah and additional acts of worship. Engaging in these practices fosters a deeper connection with Allah and encourages individuals to seek His guidance and support in their lives.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Divine Mercy and Reward of Deeds because it illustrates Allah's love for those who strive to perform obligatory acts and seek closeness through voluntary deeds.
And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would be in difficulty, but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided.
And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.
O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
It is that of which Allah gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, [O Muhammad], "I do not ask you for this message any payment [but] only good will through kinship." And whoever commits a good deed - We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Appreciative.
This hadith is #6263 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:.