and remain ever mindful of Him.” (Quran 10:63)
Lessons drawn from this hadith include:
• The exalted rank of Allah’s allies, and that Allah Himself opposes—indeed, declares war on—anyone who opposes them.
• Obligatory acts—such as the prescribed prayers, almsgiving, fasting, pilgrimage, striving in His cause, the pursuit of knowledge, and the like—are superior to voluntary acts, for Allah the Exalted has said, “My servant draws near to Me with nothing more beloved to Me than the duties I have ordained for him.”
• The hadith affirms that Allah loves, and that He loves some deeds more than others just as He loves some people more than others. He loves those who obey Him and loves their obedience, but His love is apportioned in the manner His wisdom requires.
• When a person performs voluntary works after taking care of the obligations, Allah grants him aid in all his affairs, as indicated by the divine statement, “My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary works until I love him…”
• It also shows that attaining Allah’s love is readily achievable—by His grace—for whoever wishes it: fulfill the obligatory duties and increase in supererogatory worship, and thereby one gains Allah’s love and His patronage.