A COMMENTARY ON THE ḤADĪTH: WHOSOEVER SHOWS ENMITY TO A WALĪ OF MINE, I WILL ANNOUNCE WAR

This tremendous Ḥadīth is known as the Ḥadīth of ʾAwliyāʾ (of Allāh). Abū al-ʿAbbās, Imām Shaykh ul-Islām ibn Taymiyyah (May Allāh have mercy on him) discussed it in length in the well-known Book, ‘Al-Furqān bayna ʾAwliyāʾ ar-Raḥmān wa ʾAwliyāʾ al-Shaytān.

’ (The Criterion between the allies of Allāh and the allies of the devil). This Ḥadīth further illustrates the excellence, status, and rank of ʾAwliyāʾ with Allāh. So, whoever wages war against any of His ʾAwliyāʾ or shows hostility towards them has done so to Allāh.

In contrast, whoever displays allegiance and loyalty to them has shown devotion to Allāh.

Furthermore, this Ḥadīth illustrates the excellent status of obligatory duties which Allāh has mandated upon His servants. It also indicates the excellence and tremendous reward of the increasing observance of supererogatory acts of worship. All of these matters can be found within this tremendous Ḥadīth.