Interpretation of the Hadith: “If a slave comes close to me by a span”
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“If a slave approaches Me by a span, I will approach him by a cubit, if He approaches Me by a cubit, I will approach him by a fathom, and if he walks towards Me, I will run towards him!” .
Bukhari 7405, Muslim 2675
Imam an-Nawawi said:
“The meaning of this hadith is: “to the one who draws close to Me” “to the one who draws close to Me” with the help of obedience to Me, with the help of obedience to Me, “I will approach”, “I will approach”, showing him My mercy, and if he will do more, then I will do (for him) more; showing him My mercy, and if he does more, then I will do (for him) more; “to the one who walks towards Me”, “to the one who walks towards Me” and hurries to obey Me, and hurries to obey Me, “I will run”, “I will run”, that is: I will shower him (My) favors, and I will get ahead of him (by rendering) them (to him) in advance, and I will not force him to go to his goal for a long time, and Allah knows better about it .
See “Riyadu-s-salihin”, 413.