. J "" (cont.)

If that is the case, how is that one must avoid having mutual animosity toward them when a wali cannot truly be identified in the first place? The key here is that the animosity is based on the person's obedience to Allah and following the way of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Hence, the solution is that a Muslim should never oppose any other Muslim for something that he is doing in application of the Quran and sunnah. If he dislikes him for anything of that nature, then he is disliking him for his obedience to Allah and then the threat of this hadith may apply to him. • This hadith shows the great status of one of Allah's auliyaa. The wali moves from his own planning and management to the guidance of Allah, from his helping himself to Allah's help and from his ability to Allah's power and ability.2 • lbn Taimiya wrote the following important points concerning Allah's auliyaa, The auliyaa of Allah have no visible signs that distinguish them from others. It is not necessary that they wear a particular dress or shun some clothing that is permissible. They do not necessarily have to shave their heads, cut their hair short or clip it, as long as it is within the permissible limits. There is a saying that states that there are many pious men in plain clothing and many heretics in religious garb. The auliyaa of Allah may come from any sector of the ummah of Muhammad. What is required to be from them is that one stays away from every doctrine which is unjustified and eschew any practice which is immoral. They may be scholars of the Quran, masters of knowledge, men of the sword and jihad, traders, craftsmen, industrialists, farmers and so forth. Allah has mentioned different groups of them in the verse, "Verily, your Lord 1 Al-Shaukaani (Qatr, p. 305) points out that the source of the enmity between the Shiah and the Companions is the fact the Companions preserved the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) provide some of the strongest arguments against the claims of the Shiah and other heretical groups. Therefore, if the credibility of the Companions can be put in doubtas both the Shiah and the Orientalists have tried to do in vain-- the entire structure of the sunnah can be destroyed and the door would be wide open for the heretical groups. 2 Ibn Hajr, Fath (al-Maktaba al-Tijaariyyah), vol. 13, p. 149. 1 1 77 Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi knows that you do stand [to pray at night] a little less than two­ thirds of the night, or half the night, or a third of the night, and so do a party of those with you. And Allah measures the night and the day. He knows that you are unable to pray the whole night, so He has turned to you [in mercy]. So, recite of the Quran as much as may be easy for you. He knows that there will be some among you sick, others traveling through the land, seeking Allah's bounty, and yet others fighting in Allah's cause. So recite as much of the Quran as may be easy [for you], and perform the salaat, give the zakah, and lend to Allah and goodly loan. And whatever good you send before you for yourselves, you will certainly find it with Allah, better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Verily, Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful" (al-Muzzammil 20).1 • It is very important to realize that the obligatory deeds which are beloved to Allah are not only the outward deeds but they also include the deeds of the heart. The obligatory deeds of the heart are indeed of greatest importance and it is those deeds that a person might find the hardest to fulfill. Al-Shaukaani quotes an ex-Hindu who converted to Islam as saying, "One night, my soul told me to go and destroy the idol that I was worshipping and I was able to destroy it. However, I have spent about twenty years trying to destroy the idol that is inside of me and I have not been able to do it. My struggle against it has not helped me at all." Al­ Shaukaani further adds that the most dangerous portions of a person's faults and sins are respect to internal matters. One may be stopped from doing the visible sins by cowardice, shyness or the authorities. However, there are no such restraints on the internal sins which no one of mankind witnesses. When a person purifies the internal aspects, then he is truly ready to join the ranks of the foremost auliyaa of Allah.2 • If there is some kind of conflict between performing an obligatory act and a recommended actwherein they cannot both cannot be performed-- the obligatory act takes precedence over the recommended act.