I will surely protect him.’ Reported by al-Bukhari.

The phrase (ʾādhantuhu) means: ‘I have informed him that I am at war with him.’ As for (istaʿādhani), it is transmitted both as istaʿādhani (‘sought refuge in Me’) and as istaʿādha bī (‘sought refuge with Me’).

[Explanation]

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—relates from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Allah the Exalted has said, ‘Whoever shows hostility to a friend of Mine, I have declared war on him.’”

Hostility (al-muʿādāh) is to distance oneself; it is the opposite of loyalty (al-muwālāt). Allah Himself has clarified who His friends (awliyāʾ) are, saying: “Indeed, the friends of Allah shall feel no fear, nor shall they grieve—those who believe and remain mindful of Him” (Yūnus 10:62–63). These, then, are the friends of Allah: “those who believe,” that is, those whose hearts have truly realized faith in everything that must be believed; “and remain mindful of Him,” meaning they put righteous deeds into practice with their limbs. They avoid every forbidden matter, whether by neglecting an obligation or committing a prohibition. Thus they combine inner soundness through faith with outward soundness through piety. Such people are the friends of Allah.

The friendship of Allah is not attained merely by making claims, as some impostors do when they deceive the common people into thinking they are awliyāʾ of Allah while in fact they are His enemies—Allah’s protection is sought. In certain Muslim lands you will find individuals who stage outward acts of worship to dupe the masses, declaring, “We are friends of Allah,” yet they are His enemies. They use this claim as a means to amass wealth, to win people’s honor, and to draw others to themselves, and the like.