Whoever shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine, I declare war against him. My slave does not draw near to Me with anything dearer to Me than what I have made obligatory for him

Explanation

In the Qudsi Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that Allah Almighty said: Whoever hurts one of My pious worshippers, offends and hates him, I announce and declare enmity towards him. "Waliyy" (pious worshipper) is the pious believer, and the slave's share of Allah's Wilāyah (being pious in worshiping Allah) depends on the degree of his faith and piety. A Muslim does not draw near to his Lord with anything dearer to Him than what He has prescribed and made obligatory upon him, performing acts of obedience and avoiding prohibitions. A Muslim keeps drawing near to his Lord through supererogatory acts and obligations until he attains the love of Allah. When Allah loves him, He rightly guides his following four organs: He rightly guides him in his hearing, thus, he hears nothing but what pleases Allah. He rightly guides his eyes. Thus, he looks at nothing except what Allah loves to look at and what pleases Him. He rightly guides his hands. Thus, he does nothing with his hand except what pleases Allah. He rightly guides his feet. Thus, he walks to nothing except what pleases Allah and pursues only what is good. Along with all this, if he asks Allah for something, He grants him his request, and his supplication will be answered; and if he seeks refuge with Allah and resorts to Him seeking protection, Allah Almighty will grant him refuge and protection against what he fears. Then, Allah Almighty says: I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer out of mercy for him because he hates death, given the pain it involves, and Allah hates what hurts the believer.

Benefits

• This Hadīth is part of what the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) narrates from his Lord, and it is called a Qudsi or Divine Hadīth. Its wording and meaning are from Allah; however, it does not have the unique characteristics of the Qur'an that include reciting it as a form of worship, getting purified for it, presenting it as a challenge, its miraculousness, etc.
• It is prohibited to harm the pious worshippers of Allah, but loving them and acknowledging their merits are encouraged.
• It is commanded to show enmity towards the enemies of Allah and it is prohibited to take them as allies.
• Whoever claims to be a pious worshipper of Allah without following His Shariah is a liar in his claim.
• Being a pious worshipper of Allah can be attained by carrying out religious duties and refraining from prohibitions.
• Among the means that lead one to attain the love of Allah and to have his supplication answered is performing supererogatory deeds after carrying out the duties and refraining from the prohibitions.
• Indicating the honor and high status of the pious worshippers.