On Love for Allah (swt)

"For the Lover of Allah,

His concern at every step is: 'Is my Allah pleased with this step?'

When he speaks: 'Is my Allah pleased with this speech?'

On his every action: 'Is my Allah pleased with this action?' "

Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (ra)

format_quote Originally Posted by ~Zaria~

A thread dedicated to Love for Allah (subhanawat'ala).

Nice topic for a thread.

I feel the following ayah is very important in this regard:



Say [O Muhammad, to mankind]: "If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (Surah Aal Imraan, Surah 3, ayat 31)

Allah's Love is Attained by Following the Messenger

[...] meaning, what you will earn is much more than what you sought in loving Him, for Allah will love you. Al-Hasan Al-Basri and several scholars among the Salaf commented, "Some people claimed that they love Allah. So Allah tested them with this Ayah;

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ

(Say [O Muhammad to mankind]: "If you (really) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you...''). ''

[...]

Allah next commands everyone,

قُلْ أَطِيعُواْ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ

Say: "Obey Allah and the Messenger.'' But if they turn away [by defying the Prophet]

فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْكَـفِرِينَ

(then Allah does not like the disbelievers.) Thus, testifying that defiance of the Messenger's way constitutes Kufr. Indeed, Allah does not like whoever does this, even if he claims that he loves Allah and seeks a means of approach to Him, unless, and until, he follows the unlettered Prophet, the Final Messenger from Allah to the two creations: mankind and the Jinn. This is the Prophet who, if the previous Prophets and mighty Messengers were to have been alive during his time, they would have no choice but to follow, obey him, and to abide by his Law.

Source: Tafseer ibn Katheer

I also like this du'aa:

Abud-Darda' (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah said, "One of Prophet Dawud's supplications was: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka hubbaka, wa hubba man yuhibbuka, wal-'amalalladhi yuballighuni hubbaka. Allahumm-aj'al hubbaka ahabba ilayya min nafsi, wa ahli, wa minal-ma'il-baridi (O Allah! I ask You for Your Love, the love of those who love You, and deeds which will cause me to attain Your Love. O Allah! Make Your Love dearer to me than myself, my family and the cold water)."'

[At- Tirmidhi, Sunnah.com reference : Book 17, Hadith 26' Arabic/English book reference : Book 17, Hadith 1490].

You can find it in Riyaad us Saaliheen also.

Arabic text of hadeeth:

وعن أبي الدرداء، رضي الله عنه، قال‏:‏ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏"‏كان من دعاء داود عليه السلام‏:‏ ‏"‏اللهم إني أسألك حبك، وحب من يحبك، والعمل الذي يبلغني حبك، اللهم اجعل حبك أحب إليّ من نفسي، وأهلي، ومن الماء البارد‏"‏‏.‏ رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن‏.‏

Taken from: http://www.sunnah.com/riyadussaliheen/17#26

format_quote Originally Posted by ~Zaria~

And I became the master of creation

Not sure who the poet is, but just for clarification, no human is, or can be, the master of creation, no matter how good his deeds or how strong his love for Allah. Only Allah is the master of creation.

And Allah knows best.

jazakAllah khair dear Ahmad H for that clarification.



Beautiful thread sis Zaria, absolutely beautiful.


"You disobey God while you make apparent that you love Him,
This, by my life, in analogy is a marvel.
If your love were sincere you would have obeyed Him,
Truly, the lover towards the one he loves is obedient."

- al-Mahmud ibn al-Hassan al-Warraq

Poets do have a problem taking things way too far,examples are Words of Shirk in Nasheeds(sometimes they elevate Muhammad(SAAWS) near or Equal to Allah (SWT)). Its a Scholarly work we can rely upon.So take thing as they are not by Misjudging or Misinterpreting them.

My two cents on this topic

format_quote Originally Posted by Signor

Poets do have a problem taking things way too far,examples are Words of Shirk in Nasheeds(sometimes they elevate Muhammad(SAAWS) near or Equal to Allah (SWT)). Its a Scholarly work we can rely upon.So take thing as they are not by Misjudging or Misinterpreting them.

My two cents on this topic

We should be aware of words of shirk that are sometimes found in naats/ poems/ nasheeds.

As beautifully explained by brother Ahmad H, this is not the case in this particular poem. The poet himself emphasizes at the end that Allah (subhanawataála) is the supreme Master.

Sometimes, it can be, that the intensity of the love expressed by the awliya (those great lovers/ friends of Allah) of the past, is such that we cannot even fathom it.
We may look at their actions, and their words and may even think that they are crazy.
Here, the weakness lies within ourselves - for we have not reached that stage (May Allah Taa'la bless us all with such levels of imaan and love for Him and His Nabi sallalahu alaihi wasalam), to be able to understand this level of complete and total submission to their true beloved - Allah azza wajjal.
(Of course, we are speaking about those who are on shariah and are not engaging in shirk).


For the sake of preventing any future confusions with this poem, in shaa Allah, I have inserted apostrophes into the original post.


BarakAllahu feek

"Love is when...

you make sure that every single one of your actions in life
will make your beloved Allah happy."

Shops of Ma'rifat (Recognition of Allah Taa'la)

by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh)

A person generally purchases material commodities from a shop. Groceries are purchased from a supermarket; clothing from a clothing store, jewellery from a jewellery shop and so forth.

In order to obtain these material commodities, the buyer will have to give a certain amount of money in return for his goods. This is a transaction which is most common in the business world.

There is also a transaction in the spiritual world where special commodities may be purchased : The commodities of the Ma`rifat (Recognition of Allah Ta’ala), Ishq (Love for Allah Ta’ala), Qurb (Nearness to Allah Ta’ala), Nisbat (Connection with Allah) and so forth which are generously available, for all.

However these special commodities of the ‘Ma’rifat’ (recognition) and Ishq of Allah Ta’ala are such that they cannot be purchased with the coins and notes, or the gold and silver of this world. …However, they are to be purchased in this world and are found in what I term, the ‘shops’ of Ma’rifat… that are found throughout the world.

These ‘shops of ‘Ma’rifat’ are the Ahlullah (People of Allah).
They stock the merchandise of Allah Ta’ala. However, these Ahlullah do not accept cash, cheque, card, gold or silver in their transactions. They accept a different kind of currency, which is far more precious than money.

The payment for the 'merchandise' of Allah Ta’ala is the qurbaani (sacrifice) of our evil desires. To become ‘Aarif Billah’, we have got to make payment for these spiritual treasures with the sacrifice of our base desires.

The ‘asking price’ is the sacrifices of our evil desires – whether it is the evil desire to cast lustful gazes, commit fornication/adultery, gamble, take drugs, backbite, listen to music or commit any action which is Haraam.

Added to this, the more money a person possesses, the greater the commodity that can be purchased. …R5 cannot buy a person a 22ct gold bangle. You require ‘big’ money for big commodities.

Similarly, the more the qurbaani (sacrifice), the more the ma’rifat (recognition) of Allah Ta’ala; the greater the sacrifice, the greater the recognition of Allah Ta’ala.

Take the example of a person who goes to the Jeweller and he has with him R100 000. On the one hand, he wants to purchase jewellery and on the other hand, he does not want to part with his money. He is attached to the one and he is drawn to the other. He wants both. …But he will have to part with that money in exchange for the jewels that he desires.

Many of us want to please Allah Ta’ala and we want to also keep our nafs happy. …This cannot be.

No one can gain the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and secure His love while pandering to the whims and fancies of the nafs and shaytaan.

Just as the person will get gems, pearls, gold and silver in return for his money; so too, if the Saalik (Seeker of Allah Ta’ala) is prepared to make the sacrifice and then renders the sacrifices of his evil desires and passions, then from the shops of Ma’rifat, he will be given the pearls and jewels of Ma’rifat.

The Ahlullah have within their hearts an invaluable treasure. They are very generous in sharing because sharing increases their treasure. And if we are able to secure the same, then we will understand the insignificance of dunya (the material world).

“O Allah, You have explained Your Value, being both worlds.
If by giving both the worlds, You are attained,
Both worlds are nothing in exchange for Your Love and Friendship.
Even if a person should sacrifice his life for You,
Then too, the full price has not been paid.
To become martyred for the sake of Your Love,
Is better than a thousand lives,
And many are the Kingdoms to be sacrificed for Your Bondage,”

Once Shah Waliullah (RA) addressed the Moghul Emporers, saying : Waliullah has a heart that is beautified with the gems and pearls of the Love of Allah Ta’ala. If there is anyone wealthier, then come forward. When you die, you will be beneath the ground, wrapped in a few sheets, while your power and position, your wealth and treasure will be left behind, above the ground.

The gems and pearls of the Ishq and Ma’rifat of Allah Ta’ala are dependent on how much of qurbaani is made.

“O Friend! Treasures are generally buried in places of destruction.
Hence destroy the evil desires and attain the Treasure”

Until we do not turn our hearts red with the blood of our evil desires, there is no way that we can secure the Ishq, Ma`rifat and Qurb of Allah Ta’ala. There is no Wali (Friend of Allah Ta’ala) who has become a Wali by fulfilling the evil desires of his heart.

The condition of the sincere ones is :

“Say: ‘Truly, my Salaah (prayer), and my sacrifice, my life and my death are (all) for Allah, The Cherisher of the Worlds.’”

[Surah An-An`aam 6 : 162]

http://yunuspatel.co.za/articles-shopsofmarifat.php

(Highlights inserted)

Interesting Quote I've found on the website mentioned:

"Strange is the VISA OF LIFE...... It can be cancelled at any time, the duration of its validity unknown, and its extension too is impossible." - Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saahib

format_quote Originally Posted by Signor

Interesting Quote I've found on the website mentioned:

"Strange is the VISA OF LIFE...... It can be cancelled at any time, the duration of its validity unknown, and its extension too is impossible." - Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saahib

^ Thats one of my favourites from Ml Patel (ra).

I truly miss his presence very often ;(
May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus for all his efforts in instilling love and islaah (reformation) of our weak hearts towards Him.
Ameen

format_quote Originally Posted by loveofgod

Thank you for these very enlightening lines. This is the sort of love I want to achieve. A love so great that the self is erased. The greatest battle I am fighting is just that - with my self. It is very tough. I would definitely love to read more literature about this phenomenon of annihilation in Allah.

Greetings,

This is a beautiful discourse regarding annihilation of the self, by Moulana Yunus Patel (ra) - taken from Aashiq-e-Sawdiq (The True Lover of Allah):


THE SPEECH OF THE HEART

.... “An Aashiq (ardent lover of Allah) is that servant of Allah who has divorced his mortal self from his carnal desires…” (i.e. He has annihilated himself).
Having recognised the true nature of his nafs (i.e self/ ego); its inherent evil and baseness, the true lover of Allah divorces himself and severs any kind of ‘friendly’ relationship which he had had with his nafs. In turn, he establishes his relationship and friendship with Allah Ta’ala as it should be. He recognises Allah as his Master and himself as just a slave of Allah.

Rasulullah has informed us that our deadliest enemy is ournafs. And the nafs, without having undergone any reformation, is evil, corrupt and destructive.

However, when hidayat (guidance) and taufeeq (Divine assistance) knocks at the door of the heart and the heart opens to sincere submission to Allah Ta’ala, then there follows recognition, and progression until the ultimate stage of annihilation is reached.

THE STAGES OF THE NAFS

In the Qur`aan Sharief, Allah Ta’ala makes mention, in the words of Hazrat Yusuf (‘Alaihis Salaam) :

“…VERILY THE NAFS IS A GREAT COMMANDER OF EVIL… [SURAH YUSUF 12 : 53]

Since the inclination and pleasure of the nafs lies in desires and lusts, it thus invites one to indulge in sin. In fact, the nafs wallows in self-deception, considering itself worthy of submission.

In disposition and temperament, the nafs resembles Fir’aun (who had declared himself to be God) and Shaytaan is comparable to his right hand, Haamaan (who had encouraged, supported and endorsed the claims of Fir’aun). Hence, on the advice and encouragement of Shaytaan, the nafs imposes demands and expects that we accommodate, oblige and serve it.

Only with mujahada (striving) and Islahun-Nafs (reformation) does it progress to the nafs which is ‘Lawwamah’.
This nafs has also been mentioned by Allah Ta’ala in the Qur`aan Sharief. Allah Ta’ala states :

“AND I SWEAR BY THE SOUL THAT REPROACHES AT EVIL.” [SURAH QIYAMAH 75 : 2]

Whilst the nafs which is ‘Lawwamah’ is inclined to the pleasure of sins, it is also given to the obedience of Allah. Thus, when a person succumbs to evil, he is remorseful and regretful and reproaches himself on his weaknesses. He has a conscience that troubles him.

However, with a little more effort, [and this too under the guidance of a Sheikh who is learned, experienced and pious] the nafs will sooner than later have no option but to relinquish its illusory ‘throne’ and ‘crown’, and its fantasy ‘kingdom’ and adopt its rightful garb of a slave.

With the Fadhl (grace) of Allah Ta’ala, such a nafs becomes ‘Mutma`innah’ – content and satisfied with complete obedience to the Ahkaam (orders) of Allah.
NAFS-E-MUTMA`INNAH


In Tafseer Mazhari, Qadhi Thanaullah (Rahmatullah ‘alaih), defines this Nafs-e-Mutma`innah as :

v The nafs which enjoys security from the Azaab (punishment) of Allah Ta’ala.
v The nafs which has recognised Allah Ta’ala and as such does not enjoy any satisfaction except in the Zikr (remembrance) of Allah. It does not want to be distanced from Allah Ta’ala for even a second.

Like the fish that enjoys satisfaction and comfort only deep down, in the depths of the ocean, so too does this nafs enjoy satisfaction only in the depths of the ocean of the Qurb (proximity) and Muhabbat (Love) of Allah Ta’ala.

Such a nafs will be called upon by Allah Ta’ala at the time of death as:

“O (YOU) THE ONE IN (COMPLETE) REST AND SATISFACTION! COME BACK TO YOUR LORD, WELL PLEASED (YOURSELF)AND WELL PLEASING UNTO HIM! ENTER YOU, THEN, AMONG MY HONOURED SLAVES, AND ENTER YOU MY PARADISE!” [SURAH FAJR 89 : 27/28/29/30]

Whilst these are the stages traversed to achieve ‘Annihilation’, it should be understood that this is most easily and successfully obtained with the suhbat (company) and direction of the Ahlullah.

‘ABDIYAT

Thus, the Aashiq of Allah becomes the personification and embodiment of the Hadith : “Die before you die.” when he annihilates himself (i.e. his nafs) and submits himself in totality to Allah Ta’ala…when he chooses the hukm (order) of Allah and the pleasure of Allah over the hukm of his nafs and the pleasure of his nafs.

He then regards himself as nothing; a non-entity. As such, at every given moment, there is ‘Abdiyat (servitude). This then is proof of his love for Allah Ta’ala.

Hazrat Ibraheem bin Adham (Rahmatullah ‘alaih), a great Wali of Allah Ta’ala, once mentioned having learnt the method and etiquette of servitude from a slave he had purchased.

Hazrat Ibraheem bin Adham (Rahmatullah ‘alai h) asked the slave: “What is your name ?”

The slave replied : “That which you give to me.”

He then asked : “What would you like to eat ?”

The slave replied : “Whatever you give me to eat.”

He then asked : “What would you like to drink ?”

The slave answered : “Whatever you give me to drink.”

He asked : “What would you like to wear ?”

The slave replied : “Whatever you give me to wear.”

He then asked : “Don’t you have any desire ?”

The slave in turn asked : “What does a slave have to do with desire ?”

We, as the servants and slaves of Allah, should also take lesson.

This is the reality of servitude.

FANAA

My Sheikh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) mentions in some poetry :

“True ‘Abdiyat is to die and to live in The pleasure of my Master.”

A person once asked Hazrat : “How are you?”

Hazrat replied : “I am living and I am dying …. I am dying and I am living.” – meaning :

When any desire which is displeasing to my Beloved Master, surfaces within my heart, then for the pleasure of my Beloved Allah, I sacrifice, with pleasure, that
desire. Thus, do I ‘die’ for Him. On this ‘fanaa’, He blesses me with ‘life’.

Initially, the Saalik experiences some difficulty in rendering the sacrifices of his heart, for the pleasure of Allah. His heart is, at such times, expressive of : “O my Allah, Your pleasure before my pleasure.”

However, on the lofty plane of fanaa, having experienced the sweet pleasure of the pleasure of Allah, there is happiness with every decision of Allah Ta’ala, and an ecstasy accompanying every sacrifice rendered for Allah Ta’ala. The expression of the heart is then :“O my Beloved Allah, Your pleasure is my pleasure.”

ELEVATION

When such a condition subdues the Aashiq of Allah, he forgets himself in his Love for Allah Ta’ala.

Until the person does not forget his own self in the Love of Allah, he is not a lover of Allah. As long as a person maintains his own position and considers himself to be a person worthy and deserving of honour, dignity and respect, he has not recognized the Greatness of Allah Ta’ala and thus cannot be a
true lover of Allah.

Since he has not annihilated himself, he is in reality a lover of himself.

When a person does not consider himself one before whom everyone should stand with respect, shake his hand and kiss his forehead, and when he adopts humility and humbleness as the garb of his heart and character, then Allah Ta’ala puts his respect into the hearts of people. On his sincere servitude to
Allah Ta’ala, others then wish to meet him, shake his hand and even serve him.

Following annihilation is elevation. Hazrat Umar (j) had related a Hadith from Rasulullah : “He who is humble for Allah’s sake will be exalted by Allah, for though he considers himself lowly, he is great in the eyes of men; but he who is proud will be abased by Allah, for though he considers himself great, he is lowly in the eyes of men to such an extent that he is of less value in their estimation than a dog or a
pig.”

The pre-condition is that this humility be for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and not so that one may gain recognition and honour amongst people. This humility manifests itself when a person recognizes the Greatness and Grandeur and Absolute Power and Majesty of Allah Ta’ala.

My Sheikh describes this condition of annihilation very aptly :

When the sun of Allah’s Greatness rises within the heart then the stars of takabbur (pride), riyaa (show) and ujub (vanity) wane in its light and become non-existent.

STORY OF THE RAINDROP

Sheikh Saadi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) mentions a beautiful story, in his Bustaan, of a raindrop which fell from a spring cloud.

Seeing the magnitude and vast expanse of the ocean, it was ashamed. Reflecting and introspecting, it thought : “Where am I next to the sea ? Compared with it, I am extinct. I am nothing.”

In its contemplative and pensive mood, it regarded itself with an eye of disdain. Whilst doing so, an oyster surfaced from the ocean and took the raindrop within the haven of its care. Destiny then shaped its course that eventually the raindrop became a renowned Royal pearl.

For its humility and humbleness, it found itself exalted. Its annihilation, made it existent.

Source

It’s A Matter of Love

By: Mehmudah Rehman


Ever been in love? Stayed up nights thinking about the object of your adoration? Ever felt the helplessness, the vulnerability of falling in love? Ever felt your life was on a standstill, revolving as though in a strange cacophony of thoughts, emotions and words around the one you love? I'm talking about the feeling, which when unrequited can tear your heart into a million little pieces. The feeling that overpowers you, envelops you and controls you in such a way that defeat in its game is too unspeakable an option to even think about, for it can annihilate you thoroughly — almost without hope of a rebirth.

The above may not be an ideal opening paragraph, but you know why I felt compelled to begin this way? Well, because in all age-groups, especially in that of teenage and young adulthood, this phenomenon called 'love' creates waves. If we look at college life, the workplace, the TV-shows we follow, the movies we watch, to books we peruse we learn that love seems to be on everyone's mind. So coming to my original question: Have you ever been in love?

If you have, you've probably been through profound grief as well. You know that the one thing that can bring pleasure and pain in equal quantities is in fact: love. Just about everyone around us seems to be yearning for 'love' yet few around us have found that proverbially 'happy ending'.


So what is this elusive entity anyway? My mind is a cauldron of thoughts which only confuse me more than before. I look to the perfect deen of Allāh to find some answers. And then I realize the solution, the answer to my question, has been there all along – I just didn't look hard enough.

It is narrated in Bukhāri in a Hadith Qudsi:

“When Allāh loves a slave, He says to Jibreel 'alayhi'l-salām (peace be upon him), 'I love so-and-so, so love him,' so Jibreel 'alayhi'l-salām (peace be upon him) loves him and then calls out to the people of heaven, 'Allāh loves so-and-so, so love him,' and the people of heaven love him, and then acceptance is placed in the Earth for him.”

Take a moment to read the last part again 'acceptance is placed in the Earth for him'. So that's how it works! The acceptance, the love we sometimes crave from people comes from Allāh's love? Does this mean that if Allāh begins to love us, the whole world will follow suit? Actually, it means more than only that (although it does mean that too!).

When a believer is blessed by the love of Allāh, life suddenly begins to look better indeed the fixation with the love of others is finally given a rest. Imagine, a person who is so close to Allāh that Allāh becomes the eyes which he sees with, and the hand with which he strikes, and the tongue with which he speaks, wouldn't the contentment of the entire universe be at his feet? Would a person so spiritually elevated even crave the recognition and love that we sometimes do from the dunya? To quote the words of another Hadith Qudsi:

When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.

[Bukhāri 6502]

But how does one get Allāh's love? This āyah of the Qurʾān puts things in perspective:

“Say (O Muḥammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) to mankind):

If you (really) love Allāh, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qurʾān and the Sunnah), Allāh will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Aale Imran 3:31]

As we are all aware, Prophet Muḥammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) was the most perfect man ever to tread on the earth and by following him we are making Allāh love us. It's that simple! Following the sunnah of our blessed Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is not only good for us in deen, but also dunya. After all, who doesn't like an honest, humble, trustworthy and pure person? Truly, like Ayesha raḍyAllāhu 'anha (may Allāh be pleased with her) once commented, his conduct was the Qurʾān.

Remember Allāh says in the first part of the above hadith al-qudsi:

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 so that I shall love him.

So that is one way to gain Allāh's love. Perform the religious duties (fard) and supererogatory (nafl) ibadah until Allāh begins to love us. However, that is not the only way- far from it. Concealed inside the pages of the Qurʾān are myriad ways of soliciting the Creator's love. Below are only a few glimpses of it.

Patience

“And Allāh LOVES as-Sabirun (the patient).” (Qurʾān: 3:146)


Putting Trust in Allāh

“Certainly, Allāh LOVES those who put their trust (in Him).” (Qurʾān: 3:159)


Repentance

“Truly, Allāh LOVES those who turn unto him in repentance.” (Qurʾān: 2:222)

Piety

“Verily, then Allāh LOVES those who are al-Muttaqun (the pious).” (Qurʾān: 3:76)

Doing Good

“Truly, Allāh LOVES Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).” (Qurʾān: 2:195)

Purification of the Body


“And Allāh LOVES those who make themselves clean…..” (Qurʾān: 9:108)


Ahadith to show us how to earn Allāh's love:

Kindliness

'Aisha raḍyAllāhu 'anha (may Allāh be pleased with her) narrated:

The Messenger of Allāh ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Allāh LOVES kindliness in all matters.” (Bukhāri)

Honor

The Messenger of Allāh ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said:

“Allāh LOVES the slave-believer who is poor but virtuous enough to refrain from begging though he has many children.” (Muslim and Ahmed)

Love for the Sake of Allāh

Al-Tabarani, Ibn Ya'la, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim narrated: Allāh's Messenger ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said:

“If two men LOVE each other for the sake of Allāh, the stronger in love to his brother will be more loved by Allāh.”

I think the above is pretty self-explanatory. There is another aspect of love without discussing which, this article, or indeed our lives and our īmān, would be incomplete.

It is narrated in Bukhāri that Prophet Muḥammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said:

“None of you believes until he loves me more than he loves his children, his parents, and all people.”

When was the last time you and I made Allāh and His beloved Prophet, the epicenter and the focal point of all our love?

Take a moment to go back the first paragraph, and ask yourself

“have I ever been in love with God?"

Why are we lost in the love of this dunya when the real love we should yearn for the only one that can bring us true solace, both in this world and the next, is all that we need? And for someone who gains this sublime, Supreme love, is anything else in the world sweeter and more beautiful?


May Allāh create love for Him and for His beloved Messenger ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) in our hearts, and may it grow therein forever.
Ameen


Source

I have a great feeling when reading the posts in this thread, subhan´Allah
Love you all for the sake of Allah, despite disagreement or differences of opinion.

In the Name of Allâh,

the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
May Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah be upon you



If the relationship between love, fear and hope is to be likened to a bird, then love is the head of the bird while fear and hope are its two wings. A slave of Allaah heads towards Him by means of his love, fear and hope.
...

Love of Allaah is life itself, and to be deprived of it entails a terrible death; it is the light without which one would sail in a sea of darkness; it is the cure without which one’s heart will be overwhelmed by a multitude of diseases; it is the joy without which one will remain in permanent grief; it is the essence of faith and deeds, without which they become like a soulless body.


It is the means without which people will never reach their destination nor attain their place in Paradise; it is the means with which people reach their beloved (i.e., Allaah). I swear by Allaah that if people can achieve this honour in both this life and the Hereafter, then they have attained the true joy and happiness.



Signs indicating a slave’s love of Allaah:

Love is something that is hidden, it exists in the heart and therefore anyone can claim to have it; Allaah informs us about the Jews and the Christians:
وقالت اليهود والنصارى نحن أبناء االله وأحباؤه قل فلم يعذبكم بذنوبكم بل أنتم بشر ممن خلق

which means: “But the Jews and the Christians say: ‘We are the children of Allaah and His beloved.’ Say: ‘Then why does He punish you for your sins?’ Rather, you are human beings from among those He has created…” [Al-Maa’idah: 18]


Love is easy to claim but difficult to prove. One should not allow himself to be deceived by the thoughts which Satan brings to his mind, making him think that he loves Allaah; a person should first test himself by means of practical indicators in order to ascertain his claim, because love is just like a tree which bears fruit; so the love in one’s heart will reflect on his limbs as an indicator of its existence, just as smoke is an indicator of fire.

There are many such signs, such as:

Loving to meet Allaah, because one always longs to meet his beloved, always mentions him and never forgets him.


When will we meet Allaah? This will happen three times: The first will be at the time of death; the second will be on the Day of Resurrection and the third will be in Paradise. The fact that the first meeting will be at the time of death does not mean that one should supplicate to Allaah for Him to take his soul, rather, what it should mean is that when death does arrive, the righteous slave rejoices, because he will be next to his Lord and receive reward and blessings from Him, as Allaah says:

إن المتقين في جنات ونهر * في مقعد صدق عند مليك مقتدر
which means: “Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and rivers, In a seat of honour near a Sovereign, Perfect in Ability.” [Al-Qamar: 54-55]

Allaah knows that His righteous slaves love and long to meet Him, and thus He informs them that they will indeed meet Him by saying:

من كان يرجو لقاء االله فإن أجل االله لآت
which means: “Whoever should hope for the meeting with Allaah – indeed, the term of [i.e., decreed by] Allaah is coming…” [Al-‘Ankaboot: 5]


Enjoying being alone while supplicating to Allaah, reciting the Qur’aan, and praying optional night prayers while taking advantage of the calmness of the night and the absence of obstructions; and this is the very lowest level of love, because one who enjoys sleeping or talking to others more than supplicating at night is not truthful in his claim to love to Allaah.

The more love that one has for his beloved, the more he enjoys obeying and serving him.

The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “From among the things of this life, women and perfume were made dear to my heart, but the delight of my eyes lie in prayer.” [An-Nasaa’i]

The delight of the eyes are, as Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said, of a higher rank than loving worldly things such as women and perfume. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam informed us that the delight of the eyes are those things that bring about real tranquillity and joy, and in his case, it was when he would pray, which was his connection with his Lord. He whose delight of the eyes in this life lies in prayer, will have the delight of his eyes lie in being close to Allaah in the Hereafter in addition to the support of Allaah for him during this life.


One who obeys Allaah due to love will do so easily and willingly, in contrast to he who feels that it is a heavy burden on his back. Those who are sincere and who truly love Allaah are obedient to him; they obey Him as easily as water runs down from the top of a hill. Such people’s souls delight in obeying Him.

How can we explain the hardship that one faces during certain acts, such as waking up to pray the optional night prayers or the Fajr prayer? Does this perceived hardship mean that the slave does not love Allaah?
We must know that reaching the state in which a slave worships Allaah with ease cannot be accomplished at the very first attempt or act of worship; rather, it is vital that one trains himself, struggles and sacrifices. This is why the joy and pleasure of worship only occurs after one perseveres and exhausts himself in it.

When he does this with sincerity, he eventually reaches the level of being able to worship Allaah with ease and pleasure.
This is why some of the righteous Salaf, may Allaah have mercy upon them, would say: “We struggled for twenty years with our optional night prayers, but enjoyed them for the rest of our lives.”
One fluctuates between enjoying them and finding them difficult until he reaches the level of totally enjoying his worship.

Thus, It becomes evident that striving to worship Allaah consists of various ranks and the one who comprehends this will be able to reach the highest of them, which would then make worshipping Allaah very easy for him.

One who reaches this level hates to waste any time; indeed, he finds this abhorrent and very painful, and such feelings can only be achieved by having love of Allaah.

This is why those who have reached this level suffer when they become sick, but they do not suffer due to their sickness; rather, they suffer due to the fact that they have been prevented from worshipping in the manner that they have become accustomed to.

This is why Allaah has blessed such people with the reward that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam informed us of when he said:
“When a slave becomes sick or is travelling, he receives the same reward that he would receive for all the righteous deeds that he is used to performing whilst at his residence.”


Persevering through hardships.
Endurance is a necessary characteristic of the one who loves Allaah; it is the means to distinguish true and sincere love from false claims, because one who endures and perseveres though hardships for the sake of his beloved will thereby prove his truthfulness and sincerity. Many people despair and become discontent whenever they are tested by Allaah and afflicted with hardship, which reflects the falsity of their claim to love Allaah. Allaah commands the most beloved to Him to endure and persevere when He says:


واصبر وما صبرك إلا باالله ولا تحزن عليهم


Muhammad Salih


http://jamiat.org.za/blog/love-for-allah/

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What a beautiful thread. Please continue posting such beautiful articles.

For those of us who Love Allah Most High it's also important to know if those feelings are being reciprocated and some good posts have been made regarding this. Jazak Allah

Also an advise to my Brothers and Sisters here, if there is a saying by a poet/naat/nasheed artist that can have more then one interpretation then we should go for the interpretation which puts him in a good light unless the poet himself explicitly states otherwise. This is more inline with the Islamic spirit:
Hamdun al-Qassar, one of the great early Muslims, said, “If a friend among your friends errs, make seventy excuses for them. If your hearts are unable to do
this, then know that the shortcoming is in your own selves.” [Imam Bayhaqi, Shu`ab al-Iman, 7.522]

Allah Most High Loves those "Who spend [in the cause of Allah ] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves
the doers of good"
(Qur’an 3:134)


In a Hadith Qudsi Allah Most High says
"I (Allah) was a Hidden Treasure, Then I wished to known, therefore I created the universe."

AND WHAT A TREASURE HE IS! SUBHAN-ALLAH!

Here is a nice E-book called "Allah Loves You! The Most-Loving God":
One of Allah's beautiful names is Al-Wadud - the Most-Loving God who is Kind, Compassionate, and Gentle, the Source of Peace and Safety. The first words of
creation were: "My Mercy prevails over My Wrath". This short book is fit for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike who wish to understand the Islamic perspective of Allah's Love. More
Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/329984

[PIE]
Here is a quick reference of verses regarding what Allah Most High Loves with a small summary of what the verse is reffering to; it's from the e-book
1. Allah loves those who turn to him constantly (Qur’an 2:222)
2. Allah loves those who keep themselves pure and clean (Qur’an 2:222)
3. Allah loves those who are kind (Qur’an 5:13)
4. Allah loves those who follow the Prophet (Qur’an 3:31)
5. Allah loves those who do good (Qur’an 2:195)
6. Allah loves those who act aright (Qur’an 3:76)
7. Allah loves those who spend in charity (Qur’an 3:134)
8. Allah loves those who restrain anger (Qur’an 3:134)
9. Allah loves those who pardon others (Qur’an 3:134)
10. Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast (Qur’an 3:146)
11. Allah loves those who do good (Qur’an 3:148)
12. Allah loves those who put their trust in Him (Qur’an 3:159)
13. Allah loves those who are kind (Qur’an 5:13)
14. Allah loves those who judge with equity (Qur’an 5:42)
15. Allah loves those who guard themselves from evil and believe (Qur’an 5:93)
16. Allah loves the righteous (Qur’an 9:4)
17. Allah loves those who hold on to a treaty (Qur’an 9:7)
18. Allah loves those who make themselves pure (Qur’an 9:108)
19. Allah loves those who believe and work righteous deeds (Qur’an 19:96)
20. Allah gives the garment of love to Moses (Qur’an 20:39)
21. Allah places love between men and women (Qur’an 30:21)
22. Allah wishes to purify the family of the Prophet (Qur’an 33:33)
23. Allah loves those who are fair (Qur’an 49:9)
24. Allah may grant love between you and your enemies (Qur’an 60:7)
25. Allah loves those who are just, he does not forbid kindness to non-Muslims (Qur’an 60:8)
26. Allah loves those who fight in His Cause (Qur’an 61:4)
27. Allah loves Abraham by making him His Friend(Qur’an 4:125)
28. Allah is full of love (Qur’an 85:14)
29. Allah is full of kindness (2:143)
30. Allah is full of kindness to his devotees (2:207)
31. Allah is full of kindness to those that serve him (3:30)
32. Allah is full of kindness (Qur’an 16:47)
33. Allah is full of kindness (Qur’an 24:20)
34. Allah is full of kindness (Qur’an 59:10)
35. Allah is the Source of Peace and Safety (Qur’an 59:23)
36. Allah is Al-Barr - Generous, Kind, Courteous, Subtle (Qur’an 52:28)
37. Allah’s friends will have no fear or will grieve on the Last Day (Qur’an 10:64)
38. Allah reminds the Children of Israel of his special favours (Qur’an 2:47)
39. Allah must be feared so that he will favour you (Qur’an 2:150)
40. Allah shows compassion to the Prophet and the believers (Qur’an 9:117)
41. Allah can forgive Unbelievers who turn to Him (Qur’an 8:38)
42. Allah is able to enforce His Will to forgive again and again (Qur’an 38:66)
43. Allah will add more favours if you are grateful (Qur’an 14:7)
44. Allah is always ready to appreciate service (Qur’an 35:34)
45. Allah is near to the believers, answers every supplicant (Qur’an 2:186)
46. Allah’s love for mankind is conditioned with mankind’s love of Allah (Qur’an 5:54)
47. Allah is well-pleased with the Muhajir and Ansar (Qur’an 9:100)
48. Allah increases the degrees of wisdom to whom He pleases such as Joseph (Qur’an 12:76)
49. Allah will not smite terror on the Last Day to those whom He is pleased with (Qur’an 27:87)
50. Allah will bring a people who He loves against those who turned their backs – this is considered a prophecy of the believers in the Rashida period
during the Ridda wars (Qur’an 5:54)
51. Allah will turn the evil deeds into good deeds from those who repent (Qur’an 25:70)
52. Allah loves those who make mention of Him (Bukhari)
53. Allah loves those who draws near to Him (Bukhari)
54. When Allah loves a servant, he declares his love to the Angels (Bukhari)
55. Allah loves those who perform the religious duties (Bukhari)
56. Allah named the womb after Him, as Ar Rahim (Bukhari)
57. Allah loves those who wish to meet Him (Bukhari , Muslim)
58. Allah loves those with insight and deliberateness (Muslim 1:125)
59. Allah loves the God-Conscious (Muslim 42:7072)
60. Allah loves those who do well - referring to not attacking women, children, elderly in wartime (Abu Dawud 14:2608)
61. Allah loves concealment - referring to acts of privacy such as intimacy with one’s spouse (Abu Dawud 41:5173)
62. Allah loves those who are generous in buying, selling, repaying and in being repaid (Muwatta 31:45:101)
63. Allah loves those who love one another for Allah’s sake (Ahmed)
64. Allah loves those who visit one another for Allah’s sake (Ahmed)
65. Allah loves those who help others financially for Allah’s sake (Ahmed)
66. Allah loves those who uphold ties for Allah’s sake (Ahmed)
67. Allah tests the people whom He loves (Tirmidhi, ibn Majah)
[/PIE]


Allah Most High is most deserving of my love, my thoughts and my time
It is He Who has bought me into existence and I was nothing,
He Who has put me under the banner of His most beloved,
He Who has shown me Love through others,
and He Who has put trials before me in order to elevate my Status
O Allah, Most Merciful, Most Generious, you only want what's good for me so surely I wrong myself when I turn away from you
It is Your right to turn me away; Nor can You be blamed.
I have no other to turn to besides You; never has has been nor ever will
- wannabe poet



My Beloved is such that there is no Beloved besides Him,
Nor is there space in my heart for any other.
My Beloved maybe hidden from my sight,
But He is not abscent from my heart
- Unknown poet

[Pie]
Here is another Hadith Qudsi, this can be found in Adab Al Mufrad and pretty sure in Imam Nawawis(RA) 40 Hadith Qudsi:
490. Abu Dharr reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, reported that Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, said: "My slaves! I have forbidden injustice for Myself and I have made it forbidden among you, so do not wrong one another.

"My slaves! You err by night and day and I forgive wrong actions and do not care. Ask me for forgiveness and I will forgive you.

"My slaves! All of you are hungry unless I have fed you, so ask Me to feed you, and I will feed you. All of you are naked unless I have clothed you, so ask Me to clothe you and I will clothe you.

"My slaves! If all of you, the first of you and the last of you, the jinn among you and the men among you, were to be as godfearing as the most godfearing heart of any one of you, that would not add anything to My kingdom. If they were to be as corrupt as the most corrupt heart of any one of you, that would not decrease anything in My kingdom. If they were to join together in one place and then ask of Me, and I gave every man among them what he asked for that, that would not reduce My kingdom at all, except as the sea is decreased if a needle is dipped into it.

"My slaves! It is only your actions which I have appointed for you. Whoever finds good should praise Allah. Whoever finds other than that should only blame himself.'"[/pie]

"You don’t know love until you know of Allah’s Love.
You think love is a feeling,
that love is butterflies,
that love comes from attraction,
that love can be broken,
you think there can be an absence of love.

How then do you know of Allah’s love?
That the Creator has fashioned you,
then He clothed you,
then He sustained you,
then He gave you,
then He raised you,
then He forgave you,
then He brought you closer,
then He smiled upon you.

There was never a moment that Allah did not love you.
How many times did you turn away,
yet never once did the Creator turn away from you.

How many times did you disobey Him,
yet never once did He withhold His Sustenance from reaching your plate.

How many times did you ask of Him,
never once has He asked of you anything that He has created.

How then, can we claim to love and to know what love is,
when we have not even understood the magnitude of our Creator’s Love?"

via http://allmuslimah.tumblr.com/