any small doorway in the mosque that is not sealed, except the doorway of Abū Bakr.” He also said:

“Those before you used to take graves as places of worship. Beware: do not take graves as places of worship, for I forbid you to do so.”

All of this is recorded in the Sahīh. It also states that he said this a few days before his death. This was part of completing his mission, for it affirms the perfection of his intimate friendship with Allah, founded upon Allah Most High’s love for His servant and the servant’s love for Allah, contrary to the Jahmiyyah. It also affirms Allah’s oneness and that none but Him should be worshipped, refuting those who resemble the polytheists. It further refutes the Rāfidah, who deny al-Siddīq his due and who, among those who profess allegiance to the qiblah, are the greatest in associating human beings with Allah.

Intimate friendship is perfect love, which entails, on the servant’s part, perfect servitude to Allah and, on the Lord’s part—glory be to Him—perfect lordship over His servants whom He loves and who love Him. The term “servitude” encompasses perfect humility and perfect love. The Arabs describe a heart as mutayyam (enthralled) when it is enslaved to the beloved. Mutayyam means “enslaved,” and Taym Allāh means “Allah’s servant.” Abraham and Muhammad, may Allah bless them both and grant them peace, attained this in its perfection. This is why he had no intimate friend among the people of the earth: intimate friendship admits no sharing. As has been said on this subject: