salahdin
Junior Member
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Love of Allah
Salih al Munajjid
Signs indicating Allaah's love of His slave
Ñ Caring for him since childhood; instilling faith in his heart; enlightening his mind;
choosing him to be amongst those who are beloved to Him; busying him with worship
by occupying his tongue with His mention and his limbs in acts of obedience to Him.
Therefore, Allaah makes such a person perform all that which pleases Him and shun
all that which displeases Him. Allaah facilitates matters for him without him needing
the assistance of others in any way and so his only concern becomes how to attain the
love of Allaah.
Ñ Kindness towards him by enabling him to perform the best deeds and act in the
finest manner.
Ñ Instilling acceptance in people’s hearts for him; people therefore become inclined
towards him and praise him, as in the narration of Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be
pleased with him, who reported that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
“When Allaah loves a slave, He calls out to Jibreel and says: 'I love so-and-so, so love
him'. Then Jibreel loves him. After that, he (i.e., Jibreel) announces to the inhabitants of
heavens that: 'Allaah loves so-and-so, so love him'; then the inhabitants of the heavens
(i.e., the angels) also love him and they then make the people on earth love him
too.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
Ñ Afflicting him with trials, as in the narration of Anas, may Allaah be pleased with
him, that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The more one is afflicted the
more he is rewarded and when Allaah loves a people He afflicts them, so whoever is
content will gain the pleasure of Allaah and whoever is discontent will get the wrath of
Allaah.” Allaah afflicts people with trials so that He may thereby eradicate their sins
and free their hearts from being concerned with this life, because Allaah
wishes that
His slaves busy themselves with nothing except Him; and thus when a slave is
afflicted, he finds no time to busy himself with the concerns of this life.
Allaah afflicts
His slaves in order to witness real sacrifice on their part, as He says:
ولنبلونكم حتى نعلم المجاهدين منكم والصابرين ونبلوا أخباركم
which means: “And We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive
among you [for the cause of Allaah] and the patient, and We will test your
affairs." [Muhammad: 31] This trial and affliction will be in proportion to the strength
of faith that the slave has in his heart, as well as the amount of love that
Allaah has for
His slave. Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, once asked the
Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: “O Messenger of Allaah! Which people face the
sternest trials?” He sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam answered: “Those who face the
sternest trials and hardships are the Prophets, then those who are nearest to them (in
terms of faith). Moreover, people will be tested according to the strength of their
faith.” [At-Tirmithi]
Ñ Taking his soul whilst he is performing a righteous deed, as the Prophet sallallaahu
alayhi wa sallam said: “When Allaah loves a slave, ‘Assalahu.” So people asked:
“What does ‘Assalahu mean?” He sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam replied: “He (i.e., Allaah)
enables him to perform a righteous deed just before his death, so that all those around
him and his neighbours become pleased with him.” [Ahmad & Al-Haakim]
