Allaah (Ta’ala)’s affirmed Attributes are divided into two categories – those that relate to His Self (Essence) and those that relate to His Actions. As for the Attributes of His Self, Allaah has been and continues to be described by them. Examples of such Attributes are Knowledge, Ability, Hearing, Sight, All-Mightiness, Wisdom, Loftiness, and Greatness. Also within this category are His features, such as His Face, His Hands, and His Eyes. Attributes that involve His Actions are linked to His Will; if He wills, He performs these Actions; and if He wills, He does not perform these Actions. Two examples of such Attributes are His rising above His Throne, and His descending to the lowest heaven.
Shaikh Muhammad Khaleel Harras said: “The Attribute of Love is among the attributes that are related to His Actions which are linked to His Will. He loves certain people, deeds, and manners over others according to His utmost wisdom. Al-Ash’ari and Mu’tazilah sects negate the Attribute of Love as belonging to Allaah, claiming that it involves deficiency, because the love of a creature means his inclination towards what suits him or what he rejoices in. Similarly, they interpret the Attributes of Pleasure, Anger, Hatred, and Wrath with the will of reward and punishment.
As for the Ash’ari people, they refer to it or interpret it with the Attribute of Will, saying: ‘The love of Allaah for His slave means His Will to honor and reward His slave.’
Since the Mu’tazili people do not affirm the Will of Allaah, they interpret His Love as being the reward itself, which Allaah affirmed for those people.
Ahl Al-Haqq (the People of the Truth) affirm the Attribute of Love as being a true Attribute of Allaah in a way that suits His Majesty. Therefore, it does not entail any deficiency or resemblance to the creation. They also affirm what this Love necessitates of His Will to honor whom He loves and reward him.
How would those who deny the Attribute of Love explain the statement of Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) in the Hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): “If Allaah loves a person, He calls Jibreel (Gabriel) saying: ‘Allaah loves so-and-so, O Jibreel love him.’ So Jibreel would love him and then Jibreel would make an announcement in the heavens: ‘Allaah has loved so-and-so, therefore you should love him also.’ So all the dwellers of the heavens would love him, and then he is granted the pleasure of the people on earth.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 7485].” [Sharh Al-Aqeedah Al-Wasitiyyah]
Evidences from the Qur’an for the Attribute of Love
1 – Allaah (Ta’ala) loves those who do good, He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Baqarah [2:195]:
وَأَحْسِنُواإِنَّاللَّهَيُحِبُّالْمُحْسِنِينَ
“…and do good. Truly, Allaah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).”
2 – Allaah (Ta’ala) loves Al-Muttaqeen (the pious), as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat At-Tawbah [9:7]:
إِنَّاللَّهَيُحِبُّالْمُتَّقِينَ
“Verily, Allaah loves Al-Muttaqun (the pious).”
3 – Allaah (Ta’ala) loves those who repent to Him and purify themselves, as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Baqarah [2:222]:
إِنَّاللَّهَيُحِبُّالتَّوَّابِينَوَيُحِبُّالْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
“Truly, Allaah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.”
4 – Allaah (Ta’ala) loves those who are just, as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Maa’idah [5:42]:
إِنَّاللَّهَيُحِبُّالْمُقْسِطِينَ
“Verily, Allaah loves those who act justly.”
5 – Allaah (Ta’ala) loves those who are patient, as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Aal-‘Imran [3:146]:
وَاللَّهُيُحِبُّالصَّابِرِينَ
“And Allaah loves As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).”
6 – Allaah (Ta’ala) loves those who put their trust in Him (Al-Mutawakkileen) as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Aal-‘Imran [3:159]:
إِنَّاللَّهَيُحِبُّالْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
“Certainly, Allaah loves those who put their trust (in Him).”
7 – Allaah (Ta’ala) loves those who fight for His sake in ranks, as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat As-Saff [61:4]:
إِنَّاللَّهَيُحِبُّالَّذِينَيُقَاتِلُونَفِيسَبِيلِهِصَفًّاكَأَنَّهُمبُنْيَانٌمَّرْصُوصٌ
“Verily, Allaah loves those who fight in His Cause in rows (ranks) as if they were a solid structure.”
8 – Allaah (Ta’ala) also says in Surat Al-Maa’idah [5:54]:
فَسَوْفَيَأْتِياللَّهُبِقَوْمٍيُحِبُّهُمْوَيُحِبُّونَهُ
“Allaah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him.”
Evidences from the Sunnah for the Attribute of Love
1 – It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Two words which are light on the tongue but they are heavy in the Balance and are beloved to the Most Merciful: Subhaan Allaahi wa bihamdihi, Subhaan Allaah il-‘Adheem (Glory and praise be to Allaah, glory be to Allaah the All-Mighty).” [Al-Bukhaari no. 6682]
2 – It is narrated that Samurah ibn Jundub (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The most beloved of speech to Allaah is four (phrases): Subhaan Allaah, wal-hamdu lillaahi, wa laa ilaaha illa-Allaahu wa Allaahu Akbar (Glory be to Allaah, praise be to Allaah, there is no god except Allaah, and Allaah is the Most Great). And it does not matter which of them you start with.” [Muslim no. 2137]
3 – The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to Ashajj ‘Abd al-Qays (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): “You have two characteristics which Allaah loves; patience and deliberation.” [Muslim no. 17c]
4 – It is narrated from ‘Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever loves to meet Allaah, Allaah loves to meet him; whoever hates to meet Allaah, Allaah hates to meet him.” [Muslim no. 2683a]
The Means of Loving Allaah and attaining the Love of Allaah
1 – Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said in ‘Sharh al-Aqeedah al-Wasitiyyah’: “(The) Love that every human being seeks is a natural disposition which Allaah created man with, and no one has any control over it. From among the means which make one love Allaah is to look at Who created him and provided him with blessings from the time he was in the womb of his mother and Who made blood flow in his veins before descending to the earth. It is Allaah Who has favored him with all that. He (Ta’ala) was the One Who repelled harm from him. How many times does one see a calamity that could destroy him, and Allaah removes it from him? Undoubtedly, this brings about love for Allaah (Ta’ala).
If someone is given a pen as a gift, he would love the giver of the gift. If this is the case with humans, then look at Allaah’s great and abundant blessings upon you which cannot be enumerated. Then you would love Allaah.
So, if a blessing comes while you are in dire need of it, you will find your heart is expanded and full of love for the one who has given it to you, contrary to the continuous blessings. You’ll remember all these blessings and favors that Allaah has bestowed upon you, and will also remember that Allaah has favored you over many of His believing servants. If Allaah has bestowed knowledge upon you, then He has favored you with knowledge, or with worship, or with wealth; or if He bestowed family upon you, then He favored you with family or provision. There is no blessing but there is another blessing under it. Accordingly, if you have seen this great blessing (and favor), you will thank Allaah and love Him.
2 – From the means of loving Allaah is to love what Allaah loves of utterances, actions of the limbs and the heart. To love what Allaah loves makes you love Allaah. This is because Allaah will recompense you for that by putting His Love in your heart. So you love Allaah if you perform what He loves and love whom He loves. The difference between the two is clear; the latter is to love those whom Allaah loves and the former is to love what He loves of deeds. So you love Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), you love Ibraheem [Abraham (‘Alayhis-salam], you love Musa [Moses (‘Alayhis-salam)] and ‘Eesa [Jesus (‘Alayhis-salam)] and the other Prophets. You love As-Siddiqeen (the most truthful people) such as Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and the martyrs, and others whom Allaah loves. All this brings forth love of Allaah and it is all from the impacts of Allaah’s Love. So it is a means and an impact.
3 – To remember Allaah profusely, such that He (Ta’ala) is always on your mind (thoughts of Him) -to an extent that whenever you witness something, you take it as a proof, which indicates to Him that your heart is occupied with Allaah and is turning away from other than Him. This will cause you to love Allaah (Ta’ala).
These three means are from among the strongest means of loving Allaah (Ta’ala).” [End quote]
The Believer’s Attitude in regards to the Impact of Belief in this Attribute of Allaah
1 – It is mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah that Allaah, the Exalted, loves certain deeds and words, and some of His creation who have certain characteristics that He has stated that He loves. He told us that so that we might strive to attain these characteristics, do the deeds that He loves and utter those words. Thus He will love us.
a) For example, Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Baqarah [2:195]:
وَأَحْسِنُواإِنَّاللَّهَيُحِبُّالْمُحْسِنِينَ
“…and do good. Truly, Allaah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).”
Allaah commands with Ihsaan (doing good) generally in everything, and to be keen to do good. In obligatory expenditure especially, one should spend and not withhold and be moderate between stinginess and extravagance.
“Verily, Allaah loves the good doer” is a justification for the command with Ihsaan. For if one knows that Ihsaan brings forth the love of Allaah, he will hasten and be keen to obey and carry out the command of Allaah.
b) Allaah loves the pious and those who keep their duties to Allaah and fear Him in every matter, such as not revoking the covenants. Allaah (Ta’ala) mentions in Surat At-Tawbah [9:7]:
إِنَّاللَّهَيُحِبُّالْمُتَّقِينَ
“Verily, Allaah loves Al-Muttaqun (the pious)”
This entails having Taqwa of Allaah (Ta’ala). One should not fear people or any creature such that if they are present, one would feel shy towards them and abandon sins and if they are not present one would not abandon sins. Taqwa is to keep one’s duty to Allaah without giving excessive concern to the people or fearing them. Therefore, reform that what is between you and Allaah, and Allaah will reform that what is between you and the people. Do what is required from you by the Shar’ and you will be given a good end.
c) Allaah (Ta’ala) loves those who repent to Him and those who purify themselves. This requires the slave to return to Allaah in repentance profusely with his heart and in his state. Merely saying: “I repent to Allaah” does not benefit a person unless he says the statement while resolving to quit the sin immediately, sincerely for the sake of Allaah, and while feeling remorse, in order to attain Allaah’s Love.
Allaah loves those who purify themselves.
When one washes his clothes of impurities, he feels that Allaah loves him, because Allaah loves Al-Mutatahhireen. When one performs Wudu’, he feels that Allaah loves him. When he performs Ghusl (ritual bath), he feels that Allaah loves him, because Allaah loves Al-Mutatahhireen, and so forth. Many people are heedless of these meanings and feelings which are a means of bringing one closer to Allaah and attaining Allaah’s love.
If one’s garment is contaminated with a drop of urine or any impurity and he remembers that washing his garment from that impurity results in Allaah’s love for him, he will attain abundant good. However, many people are heedless.
d) Allaah (Ta’ala) loves those who are just, as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Hujuraat [49:9]:
إِنَّاللَّهَيُحِبُّالْمُقْسِطِينَ
“Verily! Allaah loves those who are equitable.”
This requires the slave to be keen to be just in all his affairs.
2- All the actions, attitudes, and words that Allaah loves are those which were brought by the Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) or were part of his character. Hence, Allaah stated in a comprehensive verse that the way to earn His love is to follow the Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). In Surat Aal-‘Imran [3:31], Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
قُلْإِنكُنتُمْتُحِبُّونَاللَّهَفَاتَّبِعُونِييُحْبِبْكُمُاللَّهُ
“Say [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to mankind)]: ‘If you (really) love Allaah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allaah will love you.’”
In this verse, Allaah (Ta’ala) states a condition to earn His Love, which is to follow His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). This should make one very keen to exert his utmost to pursue the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) by following his footsteps and to not deviate from it, nor fall short or exceed the limit, nor be negligent. This feeling will protect one from committing innovations in the Religion, from falling short as well as being excessive. This will have an effect on one’s attitude, manners, conduct, and worship.
3 – The people of Bid’ah (innovation) deny the Love of Allaah, claiming that love should be between two homogeneous (similar) things, never between a Lord and a creature. However, Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said: “This claim cannot be accepted because love can happen between two non-homogeneous things, for example, a person has an old watch which has never given him a hard time by requiring maintenance or repair. We find that he loves it. And he has another watch which needs repair almost all the time, so he hates it. We see that animals are liked by humans and animals like their owners. We thus affirm the Love of Allaah between Him and His servants.” [End quote- Sharh Al-‘Aqeedah Al-Wasitiyyah]
Sources:
Sharh Al-Aqeedah Al-Wasitiyyah by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen
Sharh Al-Aqeedah Al-Wasitiyyah by Shaikh Khalil Al-Harras
Belief in Allaah by Shaikh ‘Umar Al-Ashqar
Al-Qawaaid Al-Muthla Fee Sifaat Allaah and His Names by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen
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