and opposition. It is established in Sahīh al-Bukhārī, on the authority of Abū Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
“Allah Most High says: ‘Whoever shows enmity towards a friend of Mine has challenged Me to war. Nothing brings My servant near to Me like fulfilling what I have made obligatory upon him. My servant continues to draw near to Me through voluntary acts of worship until I love him. When I love him, I am 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. Through Me he hears, through Me he sees, through Me he strikes, and through Me he walks. If he asks Me, I will surely give him; and if he seeks My protection, I will surely protect him. I have never hesitated over anything I am to do as I hesitate over taking the soul of My believing servant: he dislikes death, and I dislike distressing him, yet he must inevitably face it.’”
Thus, He, glorified and exalted be He, has stated that the servant draws near through obligatory acts of worship and continues drawing near through voluntary acts until Allah loves him. The servant thus becomes beloved to Allah, as He, exalted be He, says:
“Say: If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you.”
And He, exalted be He, says:
“Allah will bring forth a people whom He loves and who love Him.”
And He, exalted be He, says:
“And do good; indeed, Allah loves those who do good.”
And He, exalted be He, says:
“Fulfil your treaty with them until its appointed term. Indeed, Allah loves the God-fearing.”
And He says:
“So long as they remain true to you, remain true to them. Indeed, Allah loves the God-fearing.”
And He, exalted be He, says:
“Indeed, Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.”
And He, exalted be He, says:
“Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His cause in ranks as though they were a firmly joined structure.”
And He, exalted be He, says:
“In it are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves.”
And He, exalted be He, says:
“And they did not weaken or yield, and Allah loves the steadfast.”