Allah’s War is against His Enemies

Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said, “Allah, the Exalted, says: I declare war against one who bears enmity towards a friend of Mine. When a servant of Mine comes closer to Me, with a thing which I love, out of things which I have prescribed; and he seeks My favour through Optional Prayers (Nawafil), I start loving him and when I love him, I become his ear with which he hears and his eyes with which he sees and his hand with which he grasps and his foot with which he walks, and when he requests Me for anything, I grant him and when he seeks protection, I give him protection.” (Bukhari)

This hadīth under study brings into light the importance of Optional Prayers (Nawafil). Saying Prayers is one of the best means of man’s coming closer to the Lord. The believer does not content with saying only obligatory prayers, which is a must for him. In view of the great blessings of Optional Prayers he loves to say Optional Prayers as well. The Holy Messenger says Allah loves Optional Prayers. That is why the believer says Optional Prayers besides Obligatory Prayers. He is not duty bound to say Optional Prayers. But just to seek the pleasure of Allah he spares at least some time from his schedule to remember Allah in Optional Prayers. When he does so, Allah begins to love him. When such a blessed person asks Allah for something, He grants him his prayer.