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But the greater the sin, the greater is the battle against Allah."2 Allah describes the people who devour interest as fighting Allah and His messenger because of their great crimes and their great injustice to the slaves of Allah. Therefore, the people who commit these crimes are also opposing the servants of Allah and Allah has given support and love to His devoted servants. This hadith clearly states an important point that is misunderstood by many Muslims-- as well as non-Muslims. There are many people who claim, perhaps sincerely, to love Allah or God and be devoted to Him but at the same time they commit acts that are clearly sins or, in other words, deeds that Allah hates (such as not performing the obligatory prayers, not fasting the month of Ramadhaan, not avoiding the taking of interest, not avoiding adultery and so on). This hadith shows that, if such people are sincere in their claims, they have no understanding of God. Their religion or thinking is not based on the clear teachings of the His revelations but is simply based on ignorance or their own desires. 3 By their performing of these deeds-- and their lack of any 1 Cf., al-Shaukaani, Qatr, pp. 485-6. 2 Quoted in al-Haitami, Fath, p. 270. 3 This is clearly the case with respect to Christians, many of whom claim that they believe in God and love Him yet they continue to perform the deeds that God clearly abhors and opposes. An example of this type of behavior, so common in the United States, is the homosexuals who try to defend their practice by saying that they believe in Jesus and that "Jesus did not come to condemn their sexuality." Similarly, many of the people who have been influenced by Sufis also have a tendency to behave in this mannerbelieving that the faith in the heart is sufficient and need not be followed by deeds. But this beliefwhich the unbelievers (including the Orienta lists and missionaries) have always attempted to enter into Islamis clearly inconsistent with the teachings of Islam. In Islam, as is clear in the Quran and sunnah, the real faith, besides being firm 1 180 Hadith #38: "Whoever Shows Enmity to . . . " conscience or ill feeling from performing these deeds-- they are testifying against themselves. They are showing that their claim to love Allah is a lie because by their deeds they are proving that they are not working for the sake of Allah but they are fighting against Allah by committing sms; consequently, Allah also is fighting or opposing them. Summary of the Hadith • To oppose one of Allah's devotees is equivalent to opposing or fighting Allah. • This hadith demonstrates the "power" of the beloved slaves of Allah. Such slaves are never left on their own but instead they have the full support and aid of Allah, the All-Powerful. • There is nothing equal to the obligatory deeds. • Obligatory acts are the most beloved to Allah and one should perform them first and then move on to the voluntary deeds, and not vice-versa. • The one who performs the obligatory and voluntary deeds moves closest to Allah. • Allah blesses His beloved servants with special guidance and mercy as well as answering their prayers. • Whatever "level" a slave reaches, he must always keep his relationship with Allah in complete submission. When he is in need, he must tum to Allah. When he seeks refuge, he must seek refuge in Allah. Due to his close relationship with Allah, Allah will respond quickly to him under those circumstances. in the heart, is demonstrated by the proper deeds or, in other words, the implementation of the guidance of the Quran and sunnah. 1 181 Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi 1 182 Hadith #39: "Allah has pardoned . . . " Hadith #39 "Allah Has Pardoned . . . " " Ill ' Ill / " .iil M 4'iil J.j 4i ࣍ .iil J '-"' J.1 / ... / ,... ,.,,. .. ,,,. J " '° ,... ,,,. '° .... 4t;M. 'illj t1J-1 !i " JJ# .iil 4! J\i J  / w. I , cൖ.\ "J/ /" JAr- / . ... w.J O+ / # $% &tr' / " J ' _.Ir; .; ,- / / :. O / ,J ঎J এ ஈ ঐJJ ঑঒ও On the authority of ibn Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with both of them): The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's blessing and peace be upon him) said, "On my behalf, Allah has pardoned for my Nation [what is done] mistakenly, out of forgetfulness or under duress." A hasan hadith recorded by ibn Maajah, al-Baihaqi and others.