How to attain Allah's love.
Allah is the pivot of the Muslim faith. “Allah” is the standard Arabic word for God (`Ilaah' – Allah). It is believed that God described Himself in the Arabic language as Allah. The Arabic word thus holds special significance for Muslims. Allah is the absolute one, the all-powerful and all-knowing ruler of the universe, and the creator, inventor, fashioner of everything in existence.
"There is nothing like unto Him (Allah), and He is the Ever All-Hearer and Ever All-Seer" 42:11
The Quran refers to the attributes of God as "most beautiful names" which include the highest Name Al-Ism al-Azam, the Supreme Name of Allah.
Among the 99 names of God, are: He is Al-Khaliq, the One who created us and everything, and As-Sami’, the One who hears every single one of our supplications and everything; Al-Qadir, the One who is able to do anything, no matter how impossible it might seem in our limited perception. The most familiar and oft-repeated names are " Ar-Raḥīm”and “Ar-Raḥmān” The Merciful, The Beneficent.
The Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah. so, call on him
by them; 7:180
Ibn Taymiyyah, may God be pleased with him, said, “The heart will not find complete happiness except by loving Allah and by striving towards what is dear to Him.”
Nothing can ever happen unless it is caused or at permitted by Allah. Most people love their families, friends, status and money. They love all of these things despite their temporary nature, despite the fact that they disappoint sometimes. Amongst the things to aspire when striving for tranquillity of the heart, loving Allah above all else is the greatest. Everything is coming from Allah. He is the most Merciful and He even loves us more than that! But He only loves those who believe in Allah and do-good deeds,
And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favours of Allah, never will ye be able to number them. 14:34
In order to have a heart that is connected to Allah, we need to get to know Him. We can come closer to Allah through the acts of worship and by adopting His attributes, for example, compassion, benevolence, and so on. Allah gives us multiple ways to do this in Holy Quran.
The Qur’an is a message from the Lord of the worlds Himself. it is guidance for every aspect of life, that requires reciting the Qur’an, its proper understanding, purifying and enlightening the heart and making the life purposeful. The Quran will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment.
“This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to
those who fear Allah.” 2:2
The five daily prayers can be seen as a constant refresher of our faith. During these prayers, a Muslim in a state of Sajdah (prostration), is closest to the Allah Almighty and can request for His mercy. There is nothing more crucial than daily prayers. It will be the first thing we will be asked about by Allah.
“If our prayers were good, then everything else will be good” (Jami at Tirmidhi)
“Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” 13:28
Allah SWT has described His closeness, as nearer than the jugular vein, and nearer than one's own thought. His knowledge encompasses all His creatures.
“When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me:”. 2:186
Allah loves the patient, the restrainer of anger, the steadfast, the doers of good, those who act justly, those who pay Zakah, those who purify themselves and repent regularly, those who are righteous/God-fearing, the God-conscious, those who do what their Creator asked them to do and refrain from what He prohibited from doing.
“And Allah loves the steadfast.” 3:146
“Indeed, Allah loves the righteous, who fear Him.” 9:4
‘Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant.”2:222
“Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” 5:42
By performing what has been commanded by Allah and abstaining from what has been prohibited keeps one away from all sinful activities and automatically leads towards the attainment & closeness to Allah.
The blessings and bounties of Allah Almighty are countless. He knows our needs and wishes better than ourselves. He knows what is in our hearts. Yet we find a few people who show gratitude, but most do not praise Allah for his blessings, favors, treasures of his love and the comfort of his mercies.
We should be thankful to Allah for everything that we possess including hearing, seeing, health, status, intellectual abilities and recognize that every existence and continuing sustenance are dependent on Allah the Almighty.
In recognition of Allah's countless favours, being content with Him is the sign of being near to Him and His being near us.
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