The Hadith

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

Allah said:

“Whoever shows enmity to a close servant of Mine, I declare war against him.

My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the obligations I have prescribed upon him.

My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary deeds until I love him.

When I love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks.

If he asks Me, I will surely give him.

If he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely protect him.”  

Reference

Reported by al-Bukhari.  

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Explanation (From Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan)

This hadith is a hadith qudsi, in which the Prophet narrates from his Lord.  

The hadith begins with a warning that whoever shows hostility toward one of the close servants of Allah exposes himself to the punishment of Allah.  

The Prophet then explained that the most beloved acts by which a servant draws near to Allah are the obligatory acts of worship that Allah has prescribed.  

After fulfilling the obligations, a servant continues to draw near to Allah through voluntary acts of worship until he attains the love of Allah.  

When Allah loves a servant, Allah guides and protects him in his hearing, sight, actions, and movement.  

Because of this closeness, if the servant asks Allah for something, Allah grants it, and if he seeks refuge in Allah, Allah protects him.  

This hadith shows the virtue of fulfilling obligations and performing voluntary acts in order to attain the love and protection of Allah.  

References

The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith: Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan. Dar Makkah International.

Verified on 2026-10-21 against: The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith (Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan), Hadith 38.