WHEN ALLĀH LOVES A SERVANT (I)

 

FAJR REMINDER: WHEN ALLĀH LOVES A SERVANT (I)

Rabī‘ Al-Akhīr 22, 1448 (4 October 2026)

Many people seek Allāh's blessings, provision, protection, and forgiveness, but how many sincerely seek His Love? There is no greater honour a servant can receive than to be loved by Allāh.

Think about that for a moment. You may be loved by your parents, spouse, children, friends, teachers, colleagues, or even thousands of people who know you. But what does the love of creation mean compared with the Love of the Creator? If Allāh loves you, you have attained something greater than anything this world can offer. And if people dislike you while Allāh loves you, their dislike cannot ultimately harm you.

Abū Hurayrah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said:

“When Allāh loves a servant, He calls Jibrīl and says: ‘Verily, I love this person, so you should love him.’ Then Jibrīl loves him and announces in the heavens, saying: ‘Allāh loves this person, so you should love him.’ Thus, the dwellers of the heavens love him, and he is honoured on the earth.”

In another narration, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“When Allāh is angry with a servant, He calls Jibrīl and says: ‘I resent this person, so you should resent him.’ Then Jibrīl resents him and announces in the heavens, saying: ‘Verily, Allāh resents this person, so you should resent him.’ Thus, they become resentful of him, and he is hated on the earth.”

[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3037; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2637]

But this raises an important question:

How do I become one whom Allāh loves?

Notably, Allāh's Love is something we should eagerly seek. The Qur’ān gives us one of the clearest answers. Allāh (ﷻ) says:

“Say (O Muḥammad ﷺ to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allāh, then follow me (i.e., accept Islāmic Monotheism, follow the Qur'ān and the Sunnah), Allāh will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’”

[Sūrah Āl ‘Imrān 3:31]

Notice the order: You love Allāh, you follow His Messenger (ﷺ), and Allāh loves you.

Therefore, claiming to love Allāh while deliberately turning away from Him and His Messenger (ﷺ) is a contradiction. Genuine love must produce obedience. It must be reflected in what we do, what we say, what we pursue, what we avoid, and what we prioritise.

The person who truly wants Allāh's Love does not ask only, “What do I feel like doing?” Rather, he asks:

“What does Allāh love?”

That question can transform an entire life.

Moreover, what are the signs of Allāh's Love? The Qur’ān identifies qualities possessed by those whom Allāh loves.

(1) THEY FOLLOW THE MESSENGER (ﷺ)

The greatest sign is found in the verse mentioned above: following the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ).

If you want Allāh's Love, make the Sunnah more than something you merely admire. Learn it, practise it, and uphold it. Let it shape your worship, character, speech, and dealings with others.

The path to Allāh's Love is not something we invent for ourselves. Allāh Himself has directed us to His Messenger (ﷺ).

(2) THEY REPENT WHEN THEY FALL

Allāh (ﷻ) says:

“Truly, Allāh loves those who turn unto Him in repentance (i.e., purify their hearts from sins) and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath; cleaning and washing their private parts thoroughly, bodies, for their prayers, etc.).”

[Sūrah Al-Baqarah 2:222]

What a beautiful door of hope!

The person loved by Allāh is not necessarily someone who never falls into sin. Rather, when he falls, he does not become comfortable with the sin. He returns.

He sins, then seeks forgiveness.

He slips, then gets back up.

He becomes weak, then turns to the One Who gives strength.

Do not allow your sins to convince you that you should run away from Allāh.

Run back to Him.

(3) THEY DO GOOD TO OTHERS

Allāh (ﷻ) says:

“Those who spend (in Allāh's Cause — deeds of charity, alms, etc.) in prosperity and adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allāh loves Al-Muḥsinūn (the good-doers).”

[Sūrah Āl ‘Imrān 3:134]

The verse describes them as people who spend in ease and hardship, restrain their anger, and pardon others.

This means that the pursuit of Allāh's Love is not confined to the Masjid. It appears in how you treat your spouse and children. It appears when someone annoys you. It appears when you have the ability to retaliate but choose forgiveness for Allāh's sake. It appears when you have little but still give.

A person cannot sincerely seek Allāh's Love while deliberately being cruel to His servants.

(4) THEY RELY UPON ALLĀH

Allāh (ﷻ) says:

“Indeed, Allāh loves those who rely upon Him.”

[Sūrah Āl ‘Imrān 3:159]

Tawakkul does not mean abandoning effort. It means doing what you can while entrusting the outcome to Allāh.

You work, but your heart depends upon Allāh.

You seek treatment, but your heart depends upon Allāh.

You make plans, but your heart depends upon Allāh.

You make Du‘ā’, take the permissible means, and then remain satisfied with whatever Allāh decrees.

(5) THEY PLACE ALLĀH ABOVE ALL

In Sūrah Al-Mā’idah, Allāh describes people whom He loves as humble towards the believers, firm upon the truth, striving in His Cause, and not fearing the blame of critics.

[Sūrah Al-Mā’idah 5:54]

This is important.

The person seeking Allāh's Love cannot make people's approval his ultimate goal. If doing what pleases Allāh causes someone to criticise him, he does not abandon the truth simply to gain applause.

His greatest concern is not:

“What will people say?”

His greatest concern is:

“Will Allāh be pleased with me?”

Let us strive to always do what pleases Allāh and thereby attain His Love.

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to make pleasing Him easy for us, to grant us sincerity in our worship, to forgive our shortcomings, and to love us.

Āmīn.