Love for Allah in Islam - Qamar Islam Khan

Love is a gift from The Creator for His creation. It is put into the hearts of humankind and brings joy to the soul. Love is the reason life continues to blossom. It is, for the human experience; a feeling of deep affection that may inspire commitment and sacrifice. The highest form of love is to love Allah s.w.t. Everything that we do in this world should be aligned with the intention to attain Allah’s pleasure. We should strive to be good to others so that we can attain the love of Allah. Allah says:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say, “If you love Allah, then follow Allah will love you and He will forgive for you your sins. And Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:31)

Our love of Allah is the basis of our worship, and our fear and hope are like two wings that propel us along the straight path toward our final destination. The highest level of love is to find delight in the one whom you love while in seclusion with Him. We should make dua for everything including his love. The best guidance is the guidance of Rasulullah. We ask Allah to grant us His love, and the love of those who love Him. Allah says:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَندَادًا يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلَّه

“Still, there are some who take others as Allah’s equal—they love them as they should love Allah—but the believers love Allah even more.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:165)

Love is the driving force for humans to make any forward movement toward a goal that involves the heart. Allah has promised good in this life and the next towards those who put their trust in Him, the true believers never lose hope in Him and are always satisfied with His decision of their affairs. Invest your efforts in the journey but let go of your attachment to the outcome. You plant the seed and let Allah grow the tree.

Here are some signs of Allah’s love distancing oneself from others:

Love Allah is a special reward reserved in the Hereafter
Love Allah must be accompanied by fear and hope
Love Allah, you get the chance to repent your sins
Love Allah gives you a chance to do good things
Love in the cause of Allah in times of difficulty
Love Allah and thank the blessings of Allah
Love Allah and dislike your wrong deeds
Love Allah is greater than that anything
Love Allah that He deserves from us
Love others for God’s sake
Love Allah reaches all people
Love Allah and ask for in this life
Love is part of the essence of Allah
Love Allah and get your needs fulfilled
Love Allah is also obedience to His Law
Love Allah is happiness and success in life
Love Allah keeps evil things away from you
Love Allah is the root and essence of Tawheed
Love Allah is a blessing we should not take for granted
Love Allah is the driving force that motivates us to obey

The importance of love in Islam is undeniable. If one has a pure heart and directs their love to Allah and His Messenger (PBUH), then they have achieved success. Love will allow one to enjoy Islam and pursue it correctly. Many people go through the rituals of Islam without ever understanding them. Some might even feel contempt as they think they are restricted in some way. Unfortunately, this is a sickness in the heart, but it can be cured. Once true love enters the heart one will move forward with purpose.

QUALITIES THAT ALLAH LOVE

Tawbah (Repentance): “For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly (in repentance)” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:222)
Taharah (Purification): “Allah loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:222)
Ihsan (Goodness & Perfection): “For Allah loves those who do good…” (Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:134)
Tawakkul; “For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” (Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:159)
Sabr (Patience): “And Allah Loves those who are firm and steadfast (As-Sabirin (the patient)).” (Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:146)
God-consciousness: “Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].” (Quran 09:04)
Goodness and perfecting our good deeds: “And Allah loves the doers of good.” (Quran 3:134)
Trust in Allah: “Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him] on”. (Quran 3:159)
Justice: “Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” (Quran 05:42)
Patience: “And Allah loves the steadfast.” (Quran 03:146)
Taqwa (Piety): “For Allah loveth the righteous (the pious).“ (Surah Al Tawbah 9:4)

We ask Allah to help us to please Him. We are drawn to a realization of God’s love for us and leading a life of gratitude, which reflects our deep adoration and devotion to God.

How to gain the love of Allah:

Never allow your love for anything to lead you towards disobeying Allah
Never allow your love for anything to supersede your love for Allah
Never allow your love for anything to come between you and Allah
Recitation of the Quran with reflection and with understanding
To be humble and submissive before Allah
To seclude oneself in worship
Performing voluntary deeds
Reflecting on Allah’s Names and Attributes
Preferring the love of Allah over what we love
Allah often tests us with the things that we love
Witnessing His favours and blessings, both hidden and open
Staying away from all that comes between the heart and Allah
Keeping company with those who are truthful in their love of Allah
Remember Allah in every situation – with our hearts, actions and deeds

This is the only way by which the past can be set right. Allah has a concern for those He loves, therefore each time we slip and relapse into the abyss of desires and sincerely repent, He (exalted be Him) leads us out of it to the summit of forgiveness and further relieves us of hardship and provides for us.

Love for Allah Is a Shield Against Immortality:

If you find yourself in constant mention of Allah in your thoughts
If you love someone, you’ll find yourself learning more
If you feel the nourishment of hearts and souls
If you keep spirits of faith and good deeds
If you hold fast to the book of Allah
If you are humble towards the believers
If you do good deeds with proper intentions
If you have sincere love for those whom Allah loves
If you find yourself on the constant reproach of your soul
If you keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

As long as people are living in comfort, their reality remains hidden. They remain untested. But if a trial or difficulty or hardship visits them, then their reality becomes manifest. Whatever is the nature of their heart will be revealed either iman (faith) with forbearance and constancy or hypocrisy with vileness and bitterness.

Here are some of the verses in the Quran which tell us about love and compassion:

“And Allah loves the steadfast.” (Al Imran: 146)
“Allah loves those who are patient.” (Quran 3:145)
“Verily with hardship, there is a relief.” (Quran 96:6)
“Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” (Al-Maida: 42)
“Serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience.” (Quran 39:2)
“Be good. Verily, Allah loves those who are good.” (Quran 2:195)
“But sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and Helper.” (Quran 25: 31)
“And put your trust in Allah, if you are believers indeed.” (Quran 5:23)
“Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us.” (Quran 9:51)

Love for the sake of Allah is attaching your heart to Allah and being kind and gentle to His creation. It’s loving those who bring you closer to Allah. Love for the sake of Allah means you want the best for your loved ones and you want them to be the best they can be. A sign of loving someone is that you want others to know about your beloved. When you love someone, you find yourself thinking about them often. Allah says:

فَآتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا وَحُسْنَ ثَوَابِ الْآخِرَةِ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

“So Allah rewarded them (in) the world and good reward (in) the Hereafter. And Allah loves the good-doers.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:148)

At the end of the day, it is our responsibility to become better Muslims and always to be the best version of ourselves, and the Quran is there to help us during our own tough times. Tell Allah everything as you do with your best friend. Share your fears, your worries, your dreams, your goals, your passions and anything else that matters to you. Try to count everything good in your life, and everything that seemed bad but turned out to be good. All that is from Allah. May we be among those people who are loved by Allah.

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