He, Most High, also said:

“Do you consider providing water for pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque equal to the deeds of one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in Allah’s cause? They are not equal in Allah’s sight. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

“Those who believe, emigrate, and strive in Allah’s cause with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank with Allah. It is they who will triumph.

“Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Him, His pleasure, and gardens in which they will enjoy lasting bliss,

“remaining there forever. Indeed, with Allah is a tremendous reward.”

He, Most High, also said:

“Is one who is devoutly obedient during the hours of the night, prostrating and standing in prayer, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for his Lord’s mercy, like one who is not? Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only people of understanding take heed.”

He, Most High, also said:

“Allah will raise those of you who believe and those who have been given knowledge in rank. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.”

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Since a servant can only be a friend of Allah if he is a believer who fears Him, as He, Most High, says:

“Indeed, the friends of Allah will have no fear, nor will they grieve—those who believe and are mindful of Him,”

and as stated in the well-known hadith in Sahīh al-Bukhārī, already cited, in which Allah, Blessed and Most High, says:

“My servant continues to draw near to Me through voluntary acts of worship until I love him,”

and since he cannot be a believer who fears Allah until he draws near to Him through the obligatory acts of worship, thereby becoming one of the righteous