Quranic Verses on God’s Love for His Servants
The Holy Quran contains numerous verses that illustrate the profound love of Allah -exalted be He- for His servants. These verses encourage individuals to embody virtuous traits to earn this divine affection. Below are some notable examples:
- Allah -exalted be He- states: (And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw yourselves into destruction, and do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good).
- Allah -exalted be He- says: (Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves).
- Allah -exalted be He- has proclaimed: (But yes, whoever fulfills his commitment and fears Allah – indeed, Allah loves the righteous).
- Allah -exalted be He- mentions: (So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude in speech and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and seek forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]).
- Allah -exalted be He- asserts: (Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His cause in a row, as if they were a [single] solid structure).
- Allah -exalted be He- describes: (Those who spend in the cause of Allah in both ease and hardship and who restrain [their] anger and who pardon the people; and Allah loves the doers of good).
- Allah -exalted be He- notes: (There is no blame upon those who have believed and done righteous deeds for what they have eaten, if they have feared Allah and believed and done righteous deeds and then feared Allah and believed, and then feared Allah and did good; and Allah loves the doers of good).
Reasons for God’s Love for His Servants
The affection of Allah -exalted be He- for His servants can be attained through various means, including the following:
- Following the Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him-. Allah -exalted be He- commands: (Say, if you should love Allah, then follow me, so Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful).
- Show humility towards the believers, as Allah -exalted be He- states: (O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion – Allah will bring forth for the people He will love and who will love Him, [who are] humble toward the believers, mighty against the disbelievers, striving in the cause of Allah and not fearing the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing).
- Engaging frequently in the remembrance of Allah -exalted be He-. He says: (So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me).
Impacts of God’s Love for His Servants
The love of Allah -exalted be He- for His servants brings immense blessings. This is reflected in various prophetic traditions, including the following:
- It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- said: (When Allah loves a servant, He calls Gabriel, saying: “Indeed, I love so-and-so; so love him.” And Gabriel loves him, then calls out to the inhabitants of the heavens, saying: “Indeed, Allah loves so-and-so; so love him.” And the inhabitants of the heavens love him, and then acceptance is placed for him on earth).
- In a sacred tradition, it is mentioned: (Allah said: “Whoever shows animosity to a wali of Mine, I declare war upon him. My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary acts until I love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks Me, I will surely give him, and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely grant him refuge. I have never hesitated in anything as I hesitate in taking the soul of My believer; he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him). This illustrates the blessings that a servant can attain from Allah’s love, including ease in performing acts of worship and having their supplications answered, among other aspects mentioned in the tradition.