Question: What
is the correct way to love and adore the Almighty?
Answer: The
greatest way to attain the love of Allah has been suggested by the Qur’an
itself in the following words:
Tell them [ O Prophet ]: ‘If you do love Allah, follow
me; God will love you and forgive your sins.’ (3:31)
In other words, following the religion
brought by the Prophet (sws) is the greatest means to achieve the love
of Allah. The stress in the verse indicated by the words ‘follow me’ is
very very meaningful. It implies that it is only the guidance brought down
by the Prophet (sws) which must be followed by Muslims. All concepts and
beliefs which are contrary to the Qur’an and Sunnah must
be shunned by them.
Based, on the guidance brought by
the Prophet (sws), the celebrated scholar Ibn Qayyim has presented
a ten point program to attain the love of Allah in his famous book Madariju’l
Salikin. Imam Amin Ahsan Islahi has summarized this program in the
following words:
1. Study the Qur’an while deeply pondering over
its verses to obtain guidance from it.
2. Besides offering the obligatory Rak‘ats of
prayer, offer some additional ones to attain the nearness of Allah.
3. Always remain busy with Allah’s Dhikr through
your tongue as well as your deeds.
4. When worldly desires overcome you, leave them and
adopt ways to please Allah.
5. Acquaint yourself with Allah’s Attributes and
keep them in your remembrance.
6. Always keep your eyes on the favours and blessings
of Allah.
7. Be humble right from your heart.
8. Pray and worship Allah especially during the time
He descends on the heavens of this world.
9. Spend time with pious and noble people.
10. Refrain from all those things which come between
you and your Allah. (Islahi, Tadhkiya-i-Nafs, 1st ed., vol. 2, [Lahore:
Faran Foundation, 1989], p. 66)
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