Riyad as-Salihin, 95

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah the Exalted has said: 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (prayer or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him. When I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks (something) from Me, I give him, and if he asks My Protection (refuge), I protect him". [Al- Bukhari].

فالأول‏:‏ عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏

‏إن الله تعالى قال‏:‏ من عادى لي وليا فقد آذنته بالحرب‏.‏ وما تقرب إلي عبدي بشيء أحب إلي مما افترضت عليه، وما يزال عبدي يتقرب إلي بالنوافل حتى أحبه، فإذا أحببته كنت سمعه الذي يسمع به، وبصره الذي يبصر به، ويده التي يبطش بها، ورجله التي يمشي بها، وإن سألني أعطيته؛ ولئن استعاذني لأعيذنه‏

‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 95

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) A pious worshiper is a person who seeks closeness to Allah Almighty by means of observing the obligations, the most critical of which is monotheism, and then performing many supererogatory acts of worship. 2) The Hadith establishes that Allah supports the true believers. He protects them, guides their words and deeds, and defends them: {Indeed, Allah defends those who believe} [Surat al-Hajj: 38] 3) The obligatory acts of worship are the most beloved deeds by which Allah likes that His worshipers draw closer to Him. 4) Performing the supererogatory acts alongside the obligatory ones ensures the love of Allah Almighty for the servant. Benefit: The statement: “I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees...” is explained in another narration: “by Me he hears and by Me he sees...” In other words, the servant is entirely preoccupied, in all his words and deeds, with what pleases Allah Almighty such that he does not hear nor see except what pleases Allah. He also does nothing with his hands or his legs except what is permissible and legitimate. Only then does one become a pious worshiper favored by Allah. Words in the Hadith: Pious worshiper refers to any righteous believer. {Indeed, the allies of Allah will have no fear, nor will they grieve. Those who believe and fear Allah.} [Surat Yūnus: 62-63]

Related hadiths3