How to Gain the Love of Allah
In Islam, the love of Allah is the ultimate goal for every believer. The Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provide clear guidelines on how one can earn Allah’s love. Allah’s love is not a transient or conditional affection but a divine grace that transcends all human understanding. Gaining Allah’s love is considered the highest achievement a Muslim can aspire to, as it leads to Allah’s pleasure, mercy, and ultimately, entry into Paradise.
This essay explores how a Muslim can earn the love of Allah, with reference to the Quran and Hadith, providing insights into the qualities, actions, and attitudes that attract Allah’s love.
1. Understanding the Love of Allah
Before delving into the ways of gaining Allah’s love, it is essential to understand the nature of Allah’s love. Allah’s love is not like human love, which is often based on feelings, emotions, or conditions. Instead, Allah’s love is a reflection of His boundless mercy, kindness, and grace. The Quran teaches that Allah loves certain qualities, actions, and people, and He shows His love by guiding them, forgiving their sins, and rewarding them in this life and the Hereafter.
In the Quran, Allah says:
- Surah Al-Imran (3:31): “Say, ‘If you should love Allah, then follow me, and Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'”
This verse is central to understanding how to earn Allah’s love: it points out that true love for Allah is manifested in following the teachings and example of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In this context, love for Allah requires obedience, submission, and sincere worship.
2. Belief in Allah’s Oneness (Tawheed)
The foundation of earning Allah’s love is the belief in His oneness (Tawheed). The first and most fundamental aspect of Islamic belief is to affirm that there is no god but Allah and that He is the only One worthy of worship. Tawheed is the core of a Muslim’s faith, and it is the first step in gaining Allah’s love.
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:165): “But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.”
This verse indicates that the strength of a believer’s love for Allah is directly tied to their faith and belief in His oneness. A person who has true faith in Allah, acknowledging that He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Lord of the universe, will naturally develop a deep love for Him.
3. Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The Quran is clear that to gain Allah’s love, one must follow the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Allah has made obedience to His Messenger a means to attain His love. The Prophet is the best example of how to live in accordance with Allah’s will, and by following his guidance, we align ourselves with the divine path.
- Surah Al-Imran (3:31): “Say, ‘If you love Allah, then follow me, and Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'”
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself was a person who displayed complete and utter submission to Allah’s commands. His life serves as a model for how Muslims should live. Following the Sunnah means adhering to his teachings, his character, his worship, his kindness, and his treatment of others.
- Sahih Bukhari: “None of you will truly believe until I am dearer to him than his father, his child, and all of mankind.” (Sahih Bukhari)
This Hadith highlights the importance of following the Prophet’s example as an expression of love for him, and by extension, love for Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a direct channel to Allah’s pleasure and love.
4. Sincerity in Worship and Obedience
Another important way to gain the love of Allah is through sincere worship and obedience. Worshipping Allah with sincerity, free from any form of show or hypocrisy, is central to gaining Allah’s love. In Islam, sincerity in faith is key, and Allah looks at the intentions behind a person’s actions.
- Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:5): “And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth…”
Allah commands that all acts of worship be performed with sincerity for His sake alone. This sincerity is what brings the worshiper closer to Allah. The Quran teaches that it is not the outward appearance of worship but the inward sincerity that matters most. For example, the five daily prayers (Salah) should be performed with devotion and mindfulness, and fasting in the month of Ramadan should be carried out with a pure heart.
- Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1-4): “Say, ‘He is Allah, [Who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
This Surah emphasizes the importance of worshipping Allah alone, with a pure and untainted devotion, free from any form of polytheism or showing off.
5. Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness
Repentance (Tawbah) is a key to gaining Allah’s love. No one is perfect, and all humans commit sins. However, Allah’s mercy is vast, and He loves those who sincerely repent and seek His forgiveness. True repentance involves feeling remorse for one’s sins, turning back to Allah, and making a firm resolve to avoid sin in the future.
- Surah At-Tawbah (9:118): “And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind, [and who] had been remorseful, and [were] repentant. And He accepted their repentance that they may return to Allah. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.”
This verse refers to the companions of the Prophet who fell short in some aspect of their actions, but when they repented sincerely, Allah accepted their repentance and forgave them. This shows that Allah loves those who are humble and repentant, who acknowledge their mistakes and turn back to Him with sincere hearts.
- Surah An-Nisa (4:110): “Whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
The act of seeking forgiveness is a sign of humility and acknowledgment of Allah’s sovereignty. It shows that a believer is not proud, but humble and aware of their need for Allah’s mercy.
6. Patience in Adversity
Patience (Sabr) is a quality that Allah loves in His servants. Life is full of trials and tribulations, and Allah tests the believers in various ways. Those who endure difficulties with patience, placing their trust in Allah, earn His love and reward.
- Surah Al-Imran (3:146): “And many a prophet fought [and with him fought] large bands of religious devotees. But they never lost heart for what they suffered in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken or yield. And Allah loves the steadfast.”
This verse speaks to the love that Allah has for those who remain patient during times of hardship. Patience is not only about enduring difficulties but about doing so with a sense of trust in Allah’s wisdom and mercy. When a person faces trials with patience, their faith and love for Allah grow, and they receive His love in return.
- Surah Ash-Shura (42:43): “And whoever is patient and forgives – indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.”
Here, patience is linked with forgiveness. Forgiving others and letting go of resentment is a noble act that attracts Allah’s love.
7. Loving Allah’s Beloved Ones (Awliya and Righteous People)
Loving those who are beloved to Allah, such as the Prophets, the righteous people, and the friends of Allah (Awliya), is also a means of gaining Allah’s love. Allah has chosen certain individuals who are closer to Him due to their piety, devotion, and sincerity.
- Surah Al-Mujadila (58:22): “You will never find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger…”
The Quran teaches that those who love Allah will also love the righteous, and by associating with those who are close to Allah, one strengthens their own relationship with the Creator.
- Hadith (Sahih Muslim): “Allah said, ‘My love is obligatory for those who love each other for My sake, who sit with each other for My sake, and who visit each other for My sake.'”
This Hadith teaches that loving fellow believers who are devoted to Allah and working together to strengthen each other’s faith can draw a person closer to Allah.
8. Performing Voluntary Acts of Worship (Nawafil)
Alongside the obligatory acts of worship, performing additional voluntary acts is a way to earn Allah’s love. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explained that after fulfilling the obligatory acts of worship, a servant can draw nearer to Allah through voluntary acts.
- Sahih Bukhari: “Allah said: ‘My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works (nawafil) so that I shall love him.'”
This Hadith indicates that by engaging in voluntary worship such as extra prayers (Tahajjud, Sunnah), fasting (voluntary fasts), and charity, a believer increases their chances of earning Allah’s love. It is a way of seeking closeness to Allah beyond what is obligatory.
Conclusion
Gaining the love of Allah is the ultimate aspiration of every Muslim. The Quran and Hadith provide clear guidance on how to achieve this lofty goal. It begins with sincere belief in Allah’s oneness (Tawheed) and is strengthened through obedience to His commands, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), repentance, patience in hardship, and loving the righteous people who are close to Allah.
The love of Allah is not just about expressing feelings but about embodying those qualities that Allah loves—sincerity, humility, patience, gratitude, and devotion. It is a lifelong journey that requires constant effort, but the rewards are immense: Allah’s love, His forgiveness, His mercy, and eternal Paradise.
May Allah grant us the ability to earn His love and to live a life that pleases Him, ameen.
