Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Messenger Muhammad ﷺ 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 ears with which he hears and his eyes with which he sees and his hands with which he grasps and his feet 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 under study brings into light the importance and significance of Optional Prayers (Nawafil). Saying Prayers is one of the best means of man’s coming closer to Allah the Almighty. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ says Allah loves Optional Prayers. A believer says Optional Prayers just to seek the pleasure of Allah the Exalted.
The expression that Allah becomes his ears with which he hears, means that he likes to hear only what Allah permits and shuns all that He forbids. He sees what is permissible and stays away from what is forbidden; he uses his hands and feet only in accordance with the teachings of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. When such a blessed person asks Allah for something, He grants him his prayer. And when he seeks protection, Allah the Exalted gives him protection.