enmity is hatred and distance.

It has also been said that an ally is called a walī because he performs acts of obedience in succession. The first explanation, however, is more correct. A walī is someone near; thus one says, “This yalī that,” meaning that it is near it. This is also the sense of the Prophet’s words, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“Give the prescribed shares of inheritance to those entitled to them, and whatever remains is for the nearest male relative.”

That is, the man most closely related to the deceased. He emphasized this by specifying “male,” to make clear that this ruling applies exclusively to males, rather than equally to males and females. Similarly, he said concerning zakat:

“Then a male camel in its third year.”

Since an ally of Allah is someone who concurs with Him and follows Him concerning what He loves and is pleased with, what He hates and is displeased with, and what He commands and forbids, whoever shows enmity to His ally shows enmity to Him. As Allah Most High says:

“Do not take My enemies and yours as allies, offering them affection.”

Whoever shows enmity to Allah’s allies has thus shown enmity to Him, and whoever shows enmity to Him has waged war against Him. For this reason, He said:

“Whoever shows enmity to an ally of Mine has openly waged war against Me.”

The best of Allah’s allies are His prophets; the best of His prophets are those who are messengers; and the best of the messengers are those of firm resolve: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah Most High says:

“He has ordained for you the same religion He enjoined upon Noah, and that which We have revealed to you, and what We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: uphold the religion and do not become divided in it.”

Allah Most High also says:

“And when We took from the prophets their covenant, and from you, and from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus son of