supplication. This is a general principle. Yet prayer may be forbidden at certain times, making Quran recitation superior to prayer at those times. Likewise, glorifying Allah is commanded during bowing and prostration, whereas Quran recitation is forbidden. There are many similar examples.

The merit of “Say: He is Allah, One” and other surahs should be understood accordingly. Reciting al-Fātihah at the beginning of prayer is better than reciting that surah; indeed, it is obligatory. That surah alone cannot suffice; rather, the prayer is invalid if one relies on it alone.

Thus, drawing near to Allah through obligatory deeds must precede drawing near through voluntary deeds. Voluntary deeds constitute a means of drawing near only when the obligatory deeds are performed. This contradicts what some proponents of union maintain, such as the author of al-Futūhāt al-Makkiyyah (The Meccan Revelations) and others like him: that nearness through obligatory deeds follows nearness through voluntary deeds, and that voluntary deeds make the Real his covering, whereas obligatory deeds make the Real his very self. This rests upon his corrupt doctrine of union, as explained.

It has also been explained that the hadith contradicts his doctrine in several respects. Al-Bukhārī narrated it in his Sahīh from Abū Hurayrah, from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“Allah says: ‘Whoever shows enmity towards a devoted servant of Mine has openly declared war against Me. My servant draws near to Me through nothing comparable to fulfilling what I have made obligatory upon him. My servant continues drawing near to Me through voluntary deeds 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 grasps, and his foot with which he walks. Through Me he hears, through Me he sees, through Me he grasps, and through Me he walks. If he asks Me, I will surely give him, and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely grant him refuge.