The Impact of Drawing Closer to Allah
Enhancing Faith and Certainty That Everything is in Allah’s Hands
Engaging in acts of worship and obedience to Allah significantly bolsters a believer’s faith, leading them to experience greater reverence and closeness to the Almighty. Such individuals find solace in knowing that what befalls them is predetermined and that nothing happens without Divine will. This embodies true reliance on Allah by delegating matters to Him after taking the necessary actions. The effects of this reliance manifest as increased happiness, tranquility, and an expanded heart.
Achieving Allah’s Pleasure and Love
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “My servant does not draw nearer to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him. My servant continues to draw closer to Me with additional acts of worship until I love him. When I love him, I become his hearing by which he hears, his sight by which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks of Me, I will surely give him, and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will provide him refuge.” Thus, drawing nearer to Allah through righteous deeds is a pathway to earning His love and satisfaction. The ultimate aspiration for a believer is to attain Allah’s pleasure, which leads to divine protection against sin and serves as a means for the acceptance of their prayers.
Gaining Paradise
The most significant reward that a servant can attain by drawing closer to their Lord is the entrance to Paradise, whose expanse is as vast as the heavens and the earth. Allah says: “(And that is Paradise, which you are made to inherit for what you used to do).” Justice dictates that a servant receives rewards commensurate with their actions. Those who sincerely strive to worship Allah, with faith and dedication, become deserving of the paradise promised to His righteous servants. As narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked: “There is none among you but has two abodes: a home in Paradise and a home in Hellfire. When one passes away and enters Hellfire, the inhabitants of Paradise will inherit that person’s abode.”
A Means of Acceptance in This World
Drawing closer to Allah through acts of worship results in earning the love of angels and the righteous believers. This love is a reward for adhering to the commands of Allah and His Messenger. The affection of the righteous significantly aids an individual in fulfilling worldly responsibilities and maintaining steadfastness in worship to elevate their ranks in the Hereafter. Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “When Allah loves a servant, He calls out to Gabriel: ‘Indeed, Allah loves so-and-so, so love him.’ Gabriel loves him, then calls out in the heavens: ‘Indeed, Allah loves so-and-so, so love him.’ The inhabitants of the heavens love him, and acceptance is placed for him on earth.”
Upholding Integrity and Personal Conduct
Consistently performing obligatory and voluntary acts of worship positively influences a believer’s character. The results are reflected in their actions; they engage only in good deeds and earn through lawful means, striving to excel in righteousness while shunning any acts prohibited by Allah—out of a sense of modesty. Allah says: “(Indeed, those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon them, [saying], ‘Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised’).”