Getting close to our Creator Allah is a fundamental need of every human being. This is the essence of being. Our thoughts have a powerful ability to determine our feelings and emotional states and ultimately affect how we behave, for better or worse. Islam teaches us to direct the act of reflection (tafakkur), or deep thought, towards the signs of Allah, the names and attributes of Allah, to his blessings and wonders, to hope in the Hereafter, and to optimism. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّكُمْ فُرْقَانًا وَيُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ
“O you who believe, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove your sins and forgive you, for Allah is the possessor of great bounty.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:29)
We fall into Rank with people as we get to know them more and realize that they have a lot of beautiful qualities and characteristics. Of course, Allah is above any analogy, but you need to know Him more. Wanting to get closer won’t do you any good on its own. You must learn to fall in love with your Creator. He loves you and so He keeps giving you even if you disobey Him. Ask Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) with His Names.
Here is some such way to Get You Closer to Allah (SWT):
- Our love for Subhana Wa Ta’Ala must be shown in actions
- Allah keeps track and looks after everything, even a black
- Know the meanings behind Allah’s names and attributes
- Good deeds must be done continuously, not in spurts
- Recite and ponder on the meanings of the Quran
- Remind yourself that Allah is speaking to you
- One good deed leads to another good deed
- Modesty also applies to your behaviour
- Be in constant fear that we do wrong
- We have to increase our good deeds
- Fear the miserable end of our lives
- Realize the greatness of Allah
- Realize the effects of sins
- Everything is under His control
- Following the Holy Quran’s advice
- Make dua, realize that we need Allah
- Remember the different levels of akhirah
- We must hope Allah will accept our prayers
- Makes easy for him or her to do good deeds
- There are signs in everything of His greatness
- Everything happens according to His permission
- Everything that happens is because Allah wanted it
- Be humble, and never covet material things in this life
- Allah will make the way easy for someone who gives charity
- Make an effort to gain knowledge, for at least the basic things in daily life
Getting Rank to Allah takes time. We cannot expect everything to magically fall into place by doing one righteous deed. You need to depend on Allah. Always trust that what He has planned for you is the best you can have, for this life and the hereafter. Reading or memorizing the Quran alone is not enough. Reflect on its meanings; it will give you answers to your daily life’s complications.
A Muslim has to believe that some things are beyond human power:
- Strong intention to get closer to Allah
- Putting things right between people
- Stay connected to the Quran
- Good Behavior With People
- Pray five times a day
- Dua (Supplication)
- Avoid sins generally
- Stay Modest
- Saying La ilaha ill Allah
- Sponsoring an orphan
- Maintain good manners
- Giving charity In secret
- Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)
- Learning the Quran and teaching It
- Taking care of daughters or sisters
- Give “Zakah” or “Sadaqah” (charity)
- Follow the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad
Being productive is very important as a Muslim. It is a sign of Allah’s mercy that you have come to seek beneficial knowledge from websites like this one. A righteous deed is like a pearl necklace – when it breaks, all the pearls follow one another quickly.
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ
“And establish the prayer and give zakah and bow down with those who bow down.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:43)
Sometimes we substitute Barakah for a desire to enter the hustling culture and then wonder why we feel frazzled at work or home. When we do this we lose our productivity. This is why we have to know that nothing changes without the strength and power of Allah. Allah says:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَائِفَ الْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“He is who hath placed you as viceroys of the earth and hath exalted some of you in rank above others, that He may try you by (the test of) that which He hath given you. Lo! Thy Lord is swift in prosecution, and lo! He is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Surah Al-An’am 6:165)
By following the Sunnah of our prophet ṣallallāhu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) we will gain the love of Allah. When you gain the love of Allah, you will get closer to him.
فَسَجَدَ الْمَلَائِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُونَ إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ اسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ
“So the angels prostrated, all of them entirely, except Iblees for he was arrogant and was among the unbelievers.” (Surah Sad 38:73)
We need to struggle to achieve great things. ِِِAnd the harder the struggle is, the better the outcome becomes. By positively controlling our thought processes, we can increase the effectiveness of our prayers and worship as well as relieve ourselves from the anger, depression, and anxieties that worldly thoughts induce.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “That is Our argument. We gave it unto Abraham against his folk. We raise unto degrees of wisdom whom We will. Lo! thy Lord is Wise, Aware.” (Anam- 6:83)
- “And for all, there will be ranks from what they do, that He may pay them for their deeds! and they will not be wronged.” (Ahqaf 46:19)
- “But whoso cometh unto Him a believer, having done good works, for such, are the high stations.” (Ta-Ha 20:75)
- “Degrees of rank from Him, and forgiveness and mercy. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (An-Nisa – 4:96)
- “For all, there will be ranks from what they did. Thy Lord is not unaware of what they do.” (Anam6:132)
- “…for without a doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” (Surah Al-Rad, 13:28)
Our voluntary thoughts are nothing more than inward statements. Hence, the rule is that we should only engage good thoughts or keep our minds silent. Start with the name of Al-Wadud, the Ever-Loving. Allah’s love for you is unconditional. He does not need or want anything from you in return. Allah says:
وَلَقَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
“If you associate others with God, (then) surely all your works will be rendered vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:65)
Remembering Allah is essential in achieving closeness to Him. You can remember Him by engaging in dhikr (remembrance) and tasbeeh (praise). Listen to Islamic lectures that speak of Allah’s glory. Surround yourself with people who remind you of Allah. Allah says:
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
“Those who believed and find satisfaction their hearts in the remembrance (of) Allah. No doubt, in the remembrance of Allah find satisfaction the hearts.” (Surah Ar-Rad 13:28 )
Look outside your window and say Subhan-Allah about His beautiful creations. The most elegant form of remembering Allah is by looking at His creations. When you are in between tasks like driving or walking, remember Allah. Allah says:
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:31)
Be productive, seek knowledge and take action. The more you love Allah, the more you will do to get closer to Him. And the more you get closer to Him, the more He will get closer to you, and the more Barakah you will witness in your life. May Allah guide us to the path that takes us closer to Him. Ameen.
