Love of ALLAH

5. Qualities that Allaah loves

* Allaah says:

وأحسنوا إن الله يحب المحسنين

which means: "...And do good; indeed, Allaah loves the doers of good..." [Al-Baqarah:195] The slave of Allaah rushes towards doing good because this entitles him to the love of Allaah.

* Allaah says:

إن الله يحب التوابين ويحب المتطهرين

which means: "...Indeed, Allaah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves." [Al-Baqarah: 222] This refers to inward as well as outward purity.

* Allaah says:

والله يحب الصابرين

which means: "...And Allaah loves the steadfast." [Aal 'Imraan: 146]

* Allaah says:

إن الله يحب المتوكلين

which means: "...Indeed Allaah loves those who rely [upon Him]." [Aal 'Imraan: 159]

* Allaah says:

يا أيها الذين آمنوا من يرتد منكم عن دينه فسوف يأتي الله بقوم يحبهم ويحبونه أذلة على المؤمنين أعزة على

الكافرين يجاهدون في سبيل الله ولا يخافون لومة لائم

which means: "O you who have believed! Whoever of you should revert from his religion – Allaah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers; powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allaah and do not fear the blame of a critic..." [Al-Maa'idah: 54]

* Allaah Has informed us that He loves the pious as well as those who are honourable and fair with their families; he also loves those who shoulder responsibilities or positions of authority justly. Additionally, Allaah loves those who fight for His sake and are united in this.

* Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that: "The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "Allaah loves a slave who is pious, free of all wants and inconspicuous (in performing good deeds)." [Muslim]. Being free of all wants is a result of being content with what Allaah has provided, and such a person would never ask anything of people, nor would he be seeking high positions; such a person would be far too busy devoting himself to worshipping Allaah and focusing on his own shortcomings.

* 'Amr ibn Shu'ayb, may Allaah have mercy upon him, on the authority of his father and grandfather, reported: "The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "Allaah loves to see the signs of His bounties on his slave." [At-Tirmithi] This should however be done without exaggeration, showing off, or being stingy if one is in a position where he needs to spend.

* Abu Idrees Al-Khawlaani, may Allaah have mercy upon him, reported: "I once entered the Grand Mosque in Damascus where I happened to catch sight of a young man who had bright teeth (i.e., he was always smiling). A number of people had gathered around him. When they differed over anything they would refer it to him and act upon his advice. I asked who he was and I was told that he was Mu'aath ibn Jabal, may Allaah be pleased with him. The next day, I hastened to the mosque and found that he had arrived there before me and was busy in prayer. I waited until he finished, and then approached him from the front, greeted him with Salaam, and then said to him: ' I swear by Allaah that I love you.' So he asked: 'For the sake of Allaah?' I replied: 'Yes, for the sake of Allaah.' He again asked me: 'Is it for Allaah's sake?' I replied: 'Yes, it is for Allaah's sake.' Then he took hold of my cloak, drew me to himself, and said: 'Rejoice! I heard the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam saying: "Allaah the Exalted says: My love is for those who love one another for My sake, meet one another for My sake, visit one another for My sake and spend in charity for My sake." [Maalik]

* 'Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, reported: "The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam appointed a man in charge of an army unit who would also lead them in prayer; he always concluded his recitation with chapter Al-Ikhlaas, (which means): "Say [O Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam]: 'He is Allaah, [the] One. Allaah As-Samad [Allaah, the Self-Sufficient]. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none equal or comparable to Him.''' [Al-Ikhlaas:1-4] Upon the return of the unit to Al-Madeenah, they mentioned this to the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, who said: "Ask him why he does so?'' He was asked and his reply was: 'This chapter mentions some attributes of Allaah, the Gracious, and so I love to recite it.' When the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam heard this, he said to his people: "Tell him that Allaah loves him." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]

* The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was asked who were the most beloved to Allaah and he answered: "Those who benefit others the most, and the dearest deed (to Allaah) is the happiness that a Muslim brings to the heart of his fellow Muslim."

* The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was asked about the most beloved of the slaves of Allaah, to which he sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam answered: "Those who are best in manners." [At-Tabaraani]

* Allaah loves those who are easy on others when buying, selling and during disputes.