Uhibbuka Rabbi – 6 Steps to Establish Stable Love for Allah and His Messenger | A Moment Please!

Outline

• Introduction
• The Background
• Uhibbuka Rabbi: 6 Steps to True and Stable Love for Allah and His Messenger
• Conclusion

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Beneficent

Introduction

Alhamdulillah.. infinite thanks and praise are due to the Almighty Allah, the Loving. Complete peace and salutations are upon the most Beloved to Allah and to those whom Allah loves, Sayyiduna Muhammad, his household, his companions and all those who follow his guided path.

This article elaborates and supplements [episode 16] of the “A Moment Please!” series. It also completes episode 15 of the A Moment Please! Here, I’m sharing 6 steps anyone call follow to develop a stable love for Allah in his heart.

Please spare 15 minutes to watch the video below (if you haven’t done so yet) before to diving in the article.

And yes… if you haven’t taken your coffee yet, why not we pause for A Moment Please! and make a cup and come back right here.. Let’s go!

top

The Background

Welcome back!

In episode #15 of A Moment Please!, we covered the first part of the hadith of the man who asked the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam about he time of the Hour. In that episode we agreed to focus on working on meeting Allah in the state of Islam, rather than going around searching for the signs of end of time. Such as the time of the appearing of al-Mahdi, the descending of Sayyidunā ‘Īsā and the appearing of the Dajjal.

In the hadith, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam responded the man’s question with a question. When the man asked, “when is the time for the Hour?” the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam asked him in response, “what have you prepared fo it?” Upon that, the man pondered for a while and said: “not much of prayers nor of fasting. Only that I love Allah and His Messenger.” Upon that the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam said to him, “you are with whom you love.”

In another hadith, reported by Imām al-Bukhārī (6170) from the narration of Abū Mūsā, raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam was asked about a man who loves a people, but is unable to catchup with them in good deeds. Upon that he said,

الْمَرْءُ مَعَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ

“a person shall be with whom he loves.”

I’m writing this article and you’re reading it because we love Allah and His Messenger. The strength of this love differs from a person to another. And the best way to strengthen it is to share practical, doable, and achievable tips and suggestions.

In this article, I’m sharing 6 steps to establish a true and stable love for Allah and His Messenger.

It’s worth indicating here, that the focus of this article is how we love Allah, rather than how Allah loves us. If we want to win Allah’s love, from His side upon us, then let’s check this article, “9 Righteous Deeds that Earn You the Virtue of Being Loved By Allah” or the video below:

Now the question is, how can one have a true love for Allah and His Messenger?

top

Uhibbuka Rabbi: 6 Steps to True and Stable Love for Allah and His Messenger

Uhibbuka Rabbi; I love You, O My Lord!

Now the question is, how can one have a true love for Allah and His Messenger?

Step 1: Show Complete Submission to Allah

We are all creatures of Allah. By default, there’s nothing we can do against His will. We can’t change something if He so wants it in any way. However, when one lets go of his ego and desires, to the best of his ability, for the sake of Allah, that’s when he takes the first step to truly loving Allah.

Knowing Allah and about Allah is something. It’s something different from loving Allah. Iblis knows Allah. In fact, he is afraid of Allah. However, does he love Him? We can’t be sure about it. If yes, then why does fail to show complete submission to Allah?

In human-to-human interactions, when you truly love someone, whether it’s a permissible love or otherwise, you must offer some compromises for many the things that you love. You do that, just to be with the person. This is true in marriages, friendships, workplaces and what have you.

The best of example to for Allah. If we find it difficult to suppress our egos and desires (call it compromise if you so wish) in submission to the commands, orders, will, and wisdom of Allah, then, we’ll have a tough time establishing a true love for Him.

It’s when one succeeds in submitting to Allah, and establishes true love for Him, that the love for [The Prophet Muhammad](https://gsalam.net/the-prophet-muhammad) ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam comes in smoothly and handy. And that takes us to the next step.

Step 2: Embrace the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad

Any love in existence must be a result of our love for Allah.. And the love for the Prophet Muhammad ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam comes second after the love for Allah, but above the love for anyone else and anything else. Our souls included.

A true love for the Prophet Muhammad ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam is established by following his teachings and embracing his guidance. By taking pride in following him. And giving it priority above the opinions and wisdom of anyone else.

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ‎‏

“Say, “If you love God, follow me and God will love you and forgive you your sins. God is most forgiving, and most merciful.” (Surah al-Imrān, 3:31).

We can achieve this by making him our ultimate role model. Yes, we make him our ultimate role model as Allah subḥānahū wa ta’ālā Himself enjoined us to.

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّـهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا

“There has certainly been for you in the Prophet of Allah an excellent example; for anyone who looks to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often” (Sūrah al-Aḥzāb, 33:21).

When we love a role model, we adopt his lifestyle. Sadly, many Muslim men and women adopt the lifestyles of their favourite celebrities. Most of such celebrities are not Muslims. In fact, they even emulate the little details of their stories. Yet they feel ashamed to adopt the Sunnah of the Prophet in Siwak, sneezing, perfume, modesty, and many other aspects of life.

Step 3: Accept Allah’s Preordainment Wholeheartedly

The third step to establishing a true and stable love for Allah is to accept His preordainment wholeheartedly.

A true love for Allah in unconditional. Sadly, this is a reality and truth that we tend to forget when facing calamities. Calamities which is which parts and parcels of the nature of living in this first part of life.  However, when we remember that we’re in a short transit here, that’s when we develop a stable love for Him. In times of happiness as well as times of sorrow. In times of ease as well as in times hardship. In times of abundance as well as times of scarcity.

When we achieve that, our worship to Allah becomes wholeheartedly and no longer half-heartedly. As worshiping Allah half-heartedly is not in our good interest for the longer run.

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَعْبُدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ حَرْفٍ ۖ فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُۥ خَيْرٌ ٱطْمَأَنَّ بِهِۦ ۖ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَةٌ ٱنقَلَبَ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦ خَسِرَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْخُسْرَانُ ٱلْمُبِينُ ‏

“There are some who worship Allah half-heartedly, then, if some good befalls them, they are content with it, but if an ordeal befalls them, they revert to their former ways. They lose in this world as well in the Hereafter. That is a clear loss.” (Surah al-Hajj, 22:11).

Step 4: Associate Yourself with People Who Remind You of Allah

We are likely to remember things that we discuss or hear from the people we hangout with, more than we will anything else. If we hang out with business minded people, we’re likely to think business in anything. And so on.

For the love for Allah to reside in our hearts we should get close to people who will genuinely remind us about them. We shouldn’t distance ourselves from such people. More importantly, we shouldn’t look down at our religious teachers and scholars. The ones who teach us, remind us and guide us to the Path of Allah.

The love for Allah and His Messenger starts with associating ourselves with people who protect and respect the boundaries, and the rituals of Allah..

To some people, this may seem less important. However, its implication has a big weightage. For instance, Allah commands us to sacrifice animals in some occasions. And a tom, dick or harry comes to tell us it’s cruelty, and we really listen to him, “o yeah, he’s making some sense.?”

These are symbols and rituals that are set by Allah. Who’s that who can tell us it’s cruelty?

ذَٰلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَٰٓئِرَ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى ٱلْقُلُوبِ

“Thus it is. He who honours the symbols set up by God shows the piety of his heart.” (Surah al-Hajj, 22:32).

Step 5: We Must Remove the Love of Shaytan from Our Hearts

The love of Allah can’t coexist with the love of Shaytan in the heart of any being. This is a fact that we must remember every other hour. If not every other minute.

Expressing our love for Allah isn’t necessarily by virtue of lip service. Likewise, the love for the Shaytan isn’t also verbal claim. Yes, there’re some who publicly declare allegiance for the Devil. But the majority don’t.

Also, Shaytan won’t come to us in his true form. He instigates evil thoughts in our minds, casts doubts about Allah in our hearts, and all sorts of tactics through his agents and servants from among jinn kind and mankind alike.

إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَٱتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا ۚ إِنَّمَا يَدْعُوا۟ حِزْبَهُۥ لِيَكُونُوا۟ مِنْ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ‎

“Surely Satan is your enemy: so treat him as an enemy: he calls on his followers only so that they should become inmates of the burning Fire.” (Surah Fatir, 35:6).

Step 6: Avoid Anyone Who Makes Mockery of Allah and His Religion

Would you marry someone who makes a mockery of your parents and seeks pleasure in doing that? I’m sure you won’t. Because only the coward would.

We can’t truly love Allah while we are “happy-go-lucky” with those who make fun of Allah and His Messenger and His religion. We can’t truly love Allah and His Messenger, and yet, we’re quick to condemn any honest mistake by poor Muslims and quick to justify for any assault on Muslims committed by non-Muslims.

Making mockery and fun of Allah and His Messenger is rejected and unacceptable by all standards. Jokes and comedies included.

وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخُوضُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَٰتِنَا فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَخُوضُوا۟ فِى حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِۦ ۚ وَإِمَّا يُنسِيَنَّكَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ فَلَا تَقْعُدْ بَعْدَ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ‏

“When you see people engaged in finding fault with Our revelations, withdraw from them until they turn to some other topic. Should Satan cause you to forget this, take leave of the wrongdoers as soon as you remember.” (Surah al-An’ām, 6:68).

top

Conclusion

We are humans. No matter how much effort we put in, we’ll still have setbacks and fallouts. This is part of the test of this life. Otherwise, we would be angels. However, when we put in the effort, and are sincere and honest about that, Allah will accept us and guide us to that which is pleased with.

وَٱلَّذِينَ جَٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

“We will surely guide in Our ways those who strive hard for Our cause, God is surely with the righteous.” (Surah al-‘Ankabūt, 29:69).

While we’ll continue to have weakness, whoever is able to follow the above steps will find himself able to, or more able to:

• worship Allah in a calmer manner.
• Read the book of Allah with excitement.
• Carry out righteous deeds with ease happily (this is the real happy-go-luck!).
• Feel sad when miss an opportunity to carry out some deeds of righteousness.
• Feel happy for the success and achievement of fellow believing folks.
• Feel sad for the setback of Muslim brethren or when calamity befalls them.
• Hate moments of falling to one’s weakness and committing sins or wrongdoings.

This article shared steps to follow, to develop and establish true and consistent love for Allah. We want the lights of our hearts to turn on upon the mention of Allah and His Messenger. We want our face to brighten up out of excitement when the mention of Allah and His Messenger is made. This is effort we must put in.

إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتُهُۥ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَٰنًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ‎*‏ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ * أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَّهُمْ دَرَجَٰتٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ

“The true believers are those whose hearts tremble with awe at the mention of God, and whose faith grows stronger as they listen to His revelations. They are those who put their trust in their Lord. who pray regularly and give in alms out of what We have provided for them. Such are the true believers. They have a high standing with their Lord, His forgiveness and an honourable provision made for them.” (Surah al-Anfal, 8:2-4).

May we be among those who when they listen to something, develop the courage to follow the good of it.

Until the next A Moment Please!, I leave you in Allah’s protection.

Wassalamu ‘alaykum

top