Outline
- Introduction
- Virtues of Being Loved by Allah
- The 9 Righteous Deeds to Earn You the Virtue of Being Loved by Allah
- The 10th Point
- Conclusion
Introduction
Alhamdulillah… Infinite praise and thanks are due to the Almighty Allah, the source of all love and the Bestower of divine love. Complete blessings and salutations go to the most beloved servant of Allah to Allah, Sayyidinā Muhammad, his household, his companions, and all those who follow his guided path till the end of time.
Happiness is insignificance in the absence of love. Therefore, when you want to please someone, let him know and make him feel how much you love him. This is true in human-to-human relations. It’s also true in our relationship with Allah, but comes in a different approach and a different form.
How do we know how much Allah loves us? An easy question with a difficult answer. Isn’t it? I’m pretty sure you love Allah. But… what proves that? Similarly, I have no doubt, that you know, deep down in your heart that Allah loves you. But… what makes you certain?
This article presents nine righteous deeds that entitle the son of Adam to be loved by Allah subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā Himself. None of the nine deeds is less important than another. But some lead to others, and the otherwise may not be true.
Before we look at the first of the nine righteous deeds that earn the son of Adam the virtue of being loved by Allah, let’s, first, look at some of the virtues of being loved by Allah.
Virtues of Being Loved by Allah
In a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī, from the narration of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu, Rasūlullāh ṣallā ‘Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَالَ: مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ، وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ عَبْدِي بِشَىْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَىَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَىَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ، فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ، وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ، وَيَدَهُ الَّتِي يَبْطُشُ بِهَا وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِي يَمْشِي بِهَا، وَإِنْ سَأَلَنِي لأُعْطِيَنَّهُ، وَلَئِنِ اسْتَعَاذَنِي لأُعِيذَنَّهُ، وَمَا تَرَدَّدْتُ عَنْ شَىْءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ تَرَدُّدِي عَنْ نَفْسِ الْمُؤْمِنِ، يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَأَنَا أَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُ
“Allah said, “I will declare war against him who shows hostility to an ally of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawāfil till I love him. When I love him, I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he seeks refuge with Me, I will protect him; and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him.”
In Sūrah Yūnus, Allah declares how He covers His allies with tranquillity and inner-peace. Above that, He keeps for them some good news in this life and the Hereafter. Let’s take a read:
أَلَآ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱللَّـهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ * ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ * لَهُمُ ٱلْبُشْرَىٰ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِ ٱللَّـهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
“Certainly, the allies of Allah shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve. Those who believed and were fearing Allah. For them, there is good news in this life and in the Hereafter. No change in the words of Allah, that is the great attainment.” (Sūrah Yūnus, 10:62-64).
In a nutshell, when you attain the virtues of being loved by Allah, with such a great attainment, you’re guided and preserved. Isn’t that (guidance and preservation) what you ask for every time you stand for prayers?
Now, what are the nine righteous deeds that earn the son of Adam the virtue of being loved by Allah? The first is… Fearing Allah!
The 9 Righteous Deeds to Earn You the Virtue of Being Loved by Allah
#1: Fearing Allah
The first deed that entitles the son of Adam for the virtue of being loved by Allah is having fear for Allah. And this, fearing Allah, is a prerequisite to the remaining eight other righteous deeds. Once it’s attained successfully, the rest are likely easily attained, inshā Allah. However, on the other hand, it’s unlikely that one can observe the other eight qualities without having fear for Allah.
In other words, fearing Allah is the first step towards attaining the virtue of being loved by Allah, subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā. It’s important for the son of Adam to constantly remember, that fearing Allah safeguards him against the whispering voices and constant instigations of Iblīs and more so by his soldiers among men and jinn.
In various instances in the Qur’an, Allah emphasises His Love for those who have fear for Him in their hearts. In Surah Āli-‘Imrān, He says:
بَلَىٰ مَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِۦ وَٱتَّقَىٰ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
“Indeed Allah loves those who honour their covenants and fear Him. Allah loves the righteous (those who fear Him).” (Surah Āli-‘Imrān, 3:76).
Fearing Allah isn’t like how one may fear someone or something dangerous. In the context of our relationship with Allah, fearing Allah means to observe His commands and abstain from His prohibitions. Whether we are able to comprehend the wisdom behind what He has enjoined upon us or not, and whether or not we understand the reason why He prohibits us from any of His prohibitions.
Another important thing to note is that fearing Allah doesn’t only remain in the heart. It definitely reflects in the actions of the son of Adan. It’s in its absence that weakness overtakes the son of Adam sometimes, and hence, he falls to sins.
#2: Following the Prophet Muhammad
The second righteous deed in line is to give priority to the Sunnah (teachings, commands, prohibits and traditions) of The Prophet Muhammad over the teachings of anyone else. This comes hand-in-hand with fearing Allah (above) as prerequisite to the remaining.
This is to say, we develop true love for Allah by showing Him obedience. It’s needless to indicate that He is not in need of such an obedience, though. Howerver, our obedience for Him proves our honesty and sincerity, as well as our submissiveness to Him as He is the Master and we are His slaves. It also entitles us for the rewards of the hustle, struggles and tests, all of which are meant to be part and parcel of the nature of this part of life.
The only way to show Him obedience is by following His commands and teachings. And His commands and teachings were effectively and efficiently conveyed to us by His chosen Prophets and Messengers. And because, humbling one’ self and following submissively is not as easy as it sounds, Allah promises to love those who submissively follow His chosen Prophets.
The essentiality of the need for us to follow the Prophet Muhammad ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam is emphasized in the 31st verse of Surah Āli-‘Imrān,
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّـهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّـهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Say, “If you love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most Forgiving, and Most Merciful.”
One can claim all he wants, about his love for Allah and The Prophet Muhammad ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam. But all that will carry no weight, until he subjects his ego, desires and wants to the teachings and commands of the chosen Prophet Muhammad, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Therefore, once it’s authentically narrated, that the Prophet has commanded or enjoined us to a certain act, or prohibited us from a certain attitude, the son of Adam doesn’t make excuses, nor try to find ‘ifs’ and ‘buts.’(You may want to read: Except The Prophets of Allah No One is Equal to Islam.)
#3: Offering Nawafil More Often
Nawāfil is an Arabic word. It stands as the plural form of nāfilah. Nāfilah means an addition, extra or bonus. This means offering extra righteous deeds beyond what’s been obligated upon you or required from you. In the ḥadīth Qudsī mentioned at the beginning of this article, Allah says:
وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَىَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ
“and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawāfil till I love him.”
Some people have the impression that Nawāfil is offered only in prayers (ṣalāh). It’s true that nawāfil can be offered in prayers. But they can be offered in many other forms of ‘ibādahs too. Perhaps, one can comfortably claim, that Nawāfil can be offered in all righteous deeds. Thus, they’re not exclusive to ṣalāh only.
In other words, you can offer nāfilah/nawāfil by giving Allah more than He has enjoined upon you, as in the following examples:
- Offering more optional prayers; including night prayers.
- Offering more optional fasting.
- Offering more than an annual zakat; give more charity more often.
- Going for ḥajj or ‘Umrah more than the one-time obligated.
- Lending more help to others with less or no expectations of return.
- Loving others and loving for others, for nothing but for His sake.
#4: Often Repentance to Allah
One of the righteous deeds the son of Adam can observe to attain the virtue of being loved by Allah is to repent to Allah very often. This is even when he has not committed sins, known to his conscious mind. What more if he has consciously, or in the worst case, deliberately committed sins? And who among us is safe from sinning?
In the 222nd verse of Surah al-Baqarah, Allah reassures those who often repent to Him.
إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
“Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance and He loves those who keep themselves clean.”
#5: Maintaining a Holistic State of Purity
Maintaining a hygienic lifestyle keeps you healthy physically. What’s more interesting than that is that it earns you the love of Allah. This is understood from two verses in the Qur’an. One was mentioned in the immediate above section. The other is in Sūrah al-Tawbah, 9:108, where Allah says:
وَٱللَّـهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُطَّهِّرِينَ
“Allah loves those who purify themselves.”
Perhaps, the first meaning (impression) we develop when purification is mentioned is that we should be physically clean. That’s true; basing on the literal meaning of purification. Thus, showering from Janābah (see: How to Perform the Holy Bath (Ghusl) ) and taking ablution (wuḍū’) are all forms of the literal purifications. The intention that has to accompany them make them holy and a form of ‘ibādah.
But the truth is, purification goes beyond physical form of cleansing. It goes beyond that to purifying one’s heart from all its bad traits, i.e., arrogance, jealousy, hatred, narcissism, supremacy, racism, discrimination, and whatnot. It goes beyond that to purifying one’s language (choice of words), “say good or remain silent–ḥadīth”. In fact, it goes beyond that to purifying one’s source of income, relationships, and interactions. The scariest of all is the need to purify one’s faith, from all sorts of shirk (associating others with Allah in His divinity) and kufr (belying and rejecting Allah).
#6: Being Kind / Doing Good
One of the righteous deeds that entitles the son of Adam to be loved by Allah subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā Himself is being kind. Being kind means to make yourself a person of kindness, regardless; whether the ones on the receiving end of your kindness deserve it or not. And whether they are grateful or not.
Thus, your kindness impacts your fellow human beings as well as non-humans, i.e., animals, plants and other creations. The son of Adam should extend his kindness to those who can repay him as well as to those who may never be able to repay him. To those whom he knows as well as to those whom he knows not. To those he likes and to those he may not favour. All that, because he’s certain that the reward of kindness should be only expected and hoped from Allah the Almighty.
وَأَحْسِنُوٓا۟ ۛ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
“Do good, Allah loves the doers of good.” (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:195).
In fact, your kindness should benefit the living and the dead. Your kindness should also reach today’s generation and a ten generations to come.
#7: Being Just
After all the above; fearing Allah, following the Prophet, remembering Allah very often, repenting to Allah even without sinning, maintaining purity, and being kind, you are advised to be just, my fellow brethren. I’ve already told you; that they’re uphill tasks. But the good news is that they are achievable. Together, we can do it!
Being just means, you should learn to control your emotions. It’s only then, that you won’t play favouritism or biasness for those of your liken. It’s only then, that even in your anger, you’ll only speak the truth or abstain from transgression or oppression. And it’s only then, that when desperate, you’ll still maintain honesty.
In the ninth verse of Sūrah al-Ḥujurāt (49:9), Allah commands:
وَأَقْسِطُوٓا۟ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ
“…and act justly. Truly, Allah loves the just.”
#8: Putting Your Trust In Allah
After seven forms of struggles and sacrifices, in the pursuit of attaining the virtue of being loved by Allah, He commands you to put your trust in Him. And this itself is another struggle and difficult–but achievable task.
فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّـهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
“…when you have decided upon a course of action, place your trust in Allah: for Allah loves those who place their trust in Him.” (Surah Āli-‘Imrān, 3:159).
What makes it so significant to put our trust in Allah? Take a moment to reflect; who among humans do you trust most? They are the ones you turn to for help. Isn’t it? They are the ones to whom you disclose your secrets. True or false? They are the ones you have no slightest of doubt that they love you. Yes or no?
However, after all, they are humans, just like you. Nevertheless, when you turn to them, you do so confidently. Are they worthy of your trust more than Allah? Can they be of any help, close to how Allah helps and will help you?
A brief reflection on the above verse teaches us, that it’s not enough to just put our trust (in Allah) without taking action. Thus, Allah tells the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam to put his trust in Him after he has planned and is about to take the necessary action.
Furthermore, when you put your trust in Allah, you will be safe from being dragged into sorcery and seeing sorcerers and fortune-tellers, something that nullifies your whole entire hard work in worship and devotion.
#9: Being Patient
Be kind, be just and put your trust in Him. Is it enough? Perhaps yes. But better still; be patient.
You’re almost at the hilltop. And all you need is to hold on… a little bit more, and you’re there. Voila!
Yes, be patient, for Allah loves the patient. This is what He affirms in the 146th verse of Sūrah Āli-‘Imrān:
وَٱللَّـهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
“Allah loves the patient!”
The reward of patience is so special, that the patient ones get to be in the company of Allah at all times. Allah emphasizes this statement in five different instances in the Qur’an. One of such is the 153rd verse of Sūrah al-Baqarah (2:153):
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer; surely, Allah is with the patient.”
The 10th Point
The 10th point is a few justifications and a disclaimer I find it necessary to make.
The Role of the Heart in Earing the Virtue of Being Loved by Allah
It’s worth pointing out, that the centre point that could make attaining all these virtues easier is the heart. If you have the ability to reclaim your heart and put it under control and give it the purification it needs, then, with the help of Allah, you’ll be able to observe these nine virtues in no time, inshā Allah.
Is it that easy? No. Even lifting up a glass of water to drink and survive death requires some effort. So does working to attain the virtue of being loved by Allah. It’s not easy. But achievable.
If you achieve this, not only that you are loved by Allah, but you have also attained success, and survived the great failure, both of which are outlined in Sūrah al-Shams, 91:9-10:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّاهَا * وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّاهَا
“He who purifies it (the soul) will indeed be successful, and he who corrupts it is sure to fail.”
No Material Possession are Necessarily Required
As you’ve read to this point, I believe you’ve noticed that 90% (not statistical) of the deeds mentioned here are not necessarily achieved with material possessions. All they require is sincerity and devotion. In fact, when material possessions are needed, with your sincerity and honesty with Him, He will ease the means for you to acquire them. This leaves none of us with excuses. All you have to do is to:
- Intend;
- be sincere;
- take action; and
- seek assistance and guidance from Him.
Humility
When the son of Adam truly succeeds in observing the righteous deeds discussed in this article, the more he internalizes and practices them, the more humble he becomes. In no circumstance will he feel superior over anyone whom he (rightly or wrongly) perceives to have not been observing them or is lesser Muslim or believer. We believe, that the Prophet Muhammad ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam is the most beloved servant of Allah to Allah. Despite that, he is known to be the most humble servant of Allah to His servants.
Indeed…
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّـهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا
“There has certainly been for you in the Prophet of Allah an excellent example; for anyone who looks to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often” (Sūrah al-Aḥzāb, 33:21).
Conclusion
In this article, nine righteous deeds that entitles the son of Adam to the virtue of being loved by Allah the Almighty Himself have been elaborated. And a 10th point was clarified. In fact, some virtues of being loved by Allah were presented.
The good news is, when you attain Allah’s love, anyone who shows hostility against you will be in a direct war with Allah… How is it going to happen? Leave that to Allah to handle. Enjoy your moments here and in the Hereafter, inshā Allah!
When Allah loves you, He becomes your sense of hearing with which you hear. How is that? Leave that to Him. When Allah loves you, He becomes your sense of sight with which you see. How is that? Leave that to Him. When Allah loves you, He becomes your hand with which you grip. How is that? Leave that to Him. When Allah loves you, He becomes your leg with which you walk. How is that? Leave that to Him.
When Allah bestows His love upon you, all you need is to ask, and it will be fulfilled. Mind you, it’s fulfilled in the way that’s best for you (whether you realize that or not), not in the way that you want (basing on your human comprehension). But it can’t be emphasized enough, that this requires sacrifice, selflessness and being truly true to one’ self. When this is achieved, Allah becomes the most important to you, and you prioritize Him and His commands over your personal desires.
May we be given the strength it takes to challenge ourselves and trade in our desires for the love of Allah and the love of whomever and whatever He loves.
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Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂
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