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If a person first fulfills those foundations, he is demonstrating his foundation of being willing to submit to Allah. Hence, that is the best way that he earns his Lord's approval.6 However, if one does not first fulfill those deeds that Allah has made obligatory, one does not demonstrate his willingness to submit and obey 1 Al-Shaukaani, Qatr, p. 369. 2 The obligatory deeds referred to here, according to ibn Hajr, include both the deeds that are obligatory on the individuals as well as those deeds that are obligatory on the community as a whole. lbn Hajr, Fath (al-Maktaba al-Tijaariyyah), vol. 13, p. 145. 3 The prohibition of adultery, for example, is actually an obligation to avoid adultery. Many scholars even consider avoiding sins more important than performing the obligatory deeds. This is based on the hadith, discussed earlier in this collection, "When I order you to do something, then do what you can of it. And if l forbid you something, then do not go near it." (Recorded by al-Bukhari.) 4 Quoted in ibn Rajab, Jaami, vol. 2, p. 336. 5 Quoted in ibn Rajab, Jaami, vol. 2, p. 336. 6 Cf., ibn Hajr, Fath (al-Maktaba al-Tijaariyyah), vol. 1 3, p. 145. 1 147 Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi whatever Allah has ordered. Therefore, the first step must be the fulfillment of the obligatory duties. Some people do not seem to understand that Allah obligated specific deeds as a mercy to the believers. By performing the obligatory deeds the person actually comes closer to Allah and becomes a better person. 1 Allah says, for example, about the prayers, .!I. ,... '2,J '2,J / .... J p1j ./\ ͍ 0·/; 12\ ſ ); "Verily the prayers restrain one from evil and lewdity" (al-Ankaboot 45). And about the fast, / .... .... > "" .... .... J .... .... j J-:JT w-- r':оT ч.b;Jc i_;.:13 w:JT t!; ;Z J. ;ii .... / '- /- A Hadith #38: "Whoever Shows Enmity to . . . " "My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him." The Importance of Voluntary Deeds As alluded to earlier, the second group moves even closer to Allah by not only fulfilling the obligatory duties but by also additionally performing the voluntary deeds (and these are numerous). When a person performs the obligatory deeds, he demonstrates his willingness to submit to Allah. In addition, he is doing what he needs to do to protect himself from Allah's punishment. However, if on top of those deeds he also performs voluntary deeds, this demonstrates his sincerity to Allah and his true willingness to please Allah. This is no longer a matter of fulfilling a command from Allah or rescuing oneself from punishment. Now one is doing the acts to get even closer and become more beloved to Allah. 1 lbn Hajr points out that, in general, a person becomes beloved to another by doing more than the minimum or doing more than what is simply required. If a person, for example, returns money to another person and he also gives him some presents in addition, he is usually more beloved to the other person than the one who simply returned the money. The same aspect is true with respect to Allah, in a manner, of course, that is befitting of Allah and free of any imperfections. 2 The performance of voluntary deeds also includes staying away from the disliked acts. These people exert themselves to come even closer to their beloved Lord by performing more deeds of obedience for His sake and staying away from the acts that are simply disapproved of. There is ample evidence showing that the trUly pious person must stay away from those things that are simply disliked (that is, not strictly forbidden) as well as those matters that are simply doubtful. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 1 Al-Nawawi (Sharh al-Arbaeen, p. 143) states that the meaning of Allah loving someone is that Allah wants good for that person. He and others have made similar statements because they are not willing to accept the fact that Allah could have love for someone, as love implies some emotions that are befitting humans but not befitting Allah. There is no need for such interpretations. Allah loves His auliyaa. That is a true love but it is also a love that is becoming of Allah and it does not have the deficiencies that a human love has. 2 Ibn Hajr, Fath (al-Maktaba al-Tijaariyyah), vol. 13, p. 1 45. 1 149 . Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi "Place between you and the forbidden acts a covering [or barrier] of permissible acts."1 In another hadith found in this collection of al-Nawawi, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated, ণ - t u J-1 v - u · ; ··!- ··!- t.