Chapter: On Allah's Love for His Servants

باب فی حب اللہ تعالی عبادہ وحبھم للہ — اللہ کا اپنے بندوں سے محبت

بَابٌ فِي حُبِّ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى عِبَادَهُ وَحُبِّهِمْ لِلَّهِ — Allah's Love for His Servants

يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ

"He loves them and they love Him." (Al-Ma'ida, 5:54). The author provides an extended discussion of the nature of divine love (mahabbah) and its difference from human love. Allah's love for His servant is an attribute of grace that draws the servant near to Him and fills the heart with peace, spiritual illumination, and strength.

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

"Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves." (Al-Baqara, 2:222)

وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ

"And Allah loves those who purify themselves." (Al-Tawba, 9:108)

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ

"Indeed, Allah loves those who are righteous." (Al-Tawba, 9:4)

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ

"Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]." (Al-Imran, 3:159)

وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِينَ

"And Allah loves the patient." (Al-Imran, 3:146)

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

"Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good." (Al-Baqara, 2:195)

وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ

"And Allah loves those who act justly." (Al-Ma'ida, 5:42). The author notes: Allah's love has many causes and expressions. The servant attracts divine love through tawbah (repentance), tahara (purity), taqwa, tawakkul, sabr, ihsan, and 'adl. This catalogue of Divine preferences constitutes a complete programme of spiritual and ethical reform.