Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet 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 when 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)
The hadīth highlights the importance of optional prayers (nawafil), which is one of the best means of man’s coming closer to the Lord Almighty. Here the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) says that Allah loves optional prayers. It is so because man performs these optional prayers besides the obligatory prayers. He is not duly bound to say optional prayers. But just to seek the pleasure of Allah the believer spares at least some time from his daily schedule to remember Allah through optional prayers. When he does so, Allah the Exalted begins to love him. He sees only what Allah permits and keeps from what is forbidden. When such a blessed person requests Allah for anything, He grants him his prayer; and when he seeks protection, Allah gives him protection.