. J; 1," (cont.)

For example, Abu Bakr and Umar once disputed with each other, as did al-Abbaas and Ali. At the same time, they still loved each other for the sake of Allah and, furthermore, it is clear from the Quran and the sunnah that all four of them are from the auliyaa of Allah. 1 If two believerstwo auliyaa or a wali and another personhave a dispute wherein each believes that the other has done some wrong, there is no harm if they take their dispute to the proper authorities to have their case decided. In fact, this is part of the goal of the judicial system in Islam. The dispute can be decided in a fair and just matter according to what is evident, the issue can be put behind them and there is no need for any hard feelings between the two disputants. Neither party should feel any hard feelings for the one who decided the matter, as long as the one did so justly based on the information placed in front of him. However, if a person brings up a case against a wali that is definitely a false case and it is just meant to harm the wali, then the warning found in this hadith applies to such a person. He is wrongfully harming one of the auliyaa of Allah and, hence, Allah will protect His wali.2 Al-Haitami points out that the enmity referred to in this hadith does, however, include cursing or reviling the believers or not having the proper respect for them (such as for the Companions). These types of acts are not excused by the shareeah. 3 "I declare war upon him." This is the result of opposing the auliyaa of Allah simply because they are obeying Allah. Once again, this expression is in the reciprocal form; in other words, the two are going to war against each other. Hence, it implies that the person himself is also going to war against Allah. However, how can a human go to war against Allah when he is nothing more than Allah's slave? Ibn Hajr states that this was stated in this manner in order for the listener to understand exactly what is taking place. War is the result of enmity. Enmity is the result of differing with another. The goal of war is to destroy the enemy. Hence, in other words, this means that the person has exposed himself to being destroyed by Allah as a wartime enemy is destroyed by a much greater force. 4 Obviously, there is no force greater than Allah and there can be no destruction like that which Allah can mete out. Al-Shaukaani adds that although a human is an insignificant creature and should not dare go to war against Allah, his own soul can deceive himself 1 Cf., ibn Hajr, Fath (al-Maktaba al-Tijaariyyah), vol. 13, p. 144. 2 Cf., al-Shaukaani, Qatr, pp. 277-281 . 3 Cf., al-Haitami, Fath, p. 270. 4 Ibn Hajr, Fath (al-Maktaba al-Tijaariyyah), vol. 13, p. 144. 1 138 Hadith #38: "Whoever Shows Enmity to . . . " and think that he is capable of such a war. Therefore, he goes ahead and opposes Allah's auliyaa although he knows that such is hated by Allah.1 The Importance of Having Love for Allah'sAuliyaaand Its Contrary of Having Dislike for Allah's Enemies One of the most important characteristic of a believer is his support and love for his fellow believers. In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah described the attributes possessed by the one who has tasted the sweetness of imaan. One of those characteristics is that he loves others solely for the sake of Allah.2 In the hadith under discussion here, Allah has given a warning to anyone who opposes His auliyaa; conversely, this may also be taken as a warning to those who support and love the enemies of Allah. Whoever dislikes something that Allah likes (such as the believers), opposes Allah. And whoever opposes Allah takes Him as his enemy. And whoever takes Allah as his enemy, Allah will destroy him. That is established for the one who opposes Allah's auliyaa and the opposite is the case for the one who supports believers and auliyaa. This point is often forgotten by unjust rulers as well as by many common Muslims. Many Muslims today prefer or give preference to the unbelievers over the believers. Such people should consider that if anyone opposes the believers and auliyaa of Allah, then Allah has declared war against him. This, of course, means that Allah will destroy him (unless he repents) as no one can possibly be victorious when Allah declares war against him. And his destruction may occur both in this life and in the Hereafter, not necessarily just in the Hereafter. As ibn Hajr pointed out, whoever opposes a wali of Allah by either his speech or action or both has left himself open to being destroyed by Allah.