Developing Love for "ALLAH"

10 ways of developing love for AllahAdapted from Shaykh Ibn Qayyim's (rah)Madarij-us-Saalikee n

Shaykh Ibn al-Qayyim (rah) says: “The reason whichcause mahabbah (love) of Allaah to develop, are ten:

First: Reciting the Qur’aan, reflecting andunderstanding its meaning and its intent.

Second: Drawing closer to Allaah – the Most High –through optional deeds, after fulfilling theobligatory duties.

Third: Being continuous in the dhikr (remembrance) ofAllaah, with the tongue, the heart and the limbs –under all circumstances. The more continuant thedhikr, the more muhabbah develops and intensifies.

Fourth: Giving precedence to what Allaah loves overpersonal loves, when being overcome by desires.

Fifth: Contemplating and deliberating over the Namesand Attributes of Allaah.

Sixth: Recognizing and remembering the favors andbounties of Allaah – both manifest and hidden.

Seventh: To be humble and submissive before Allaah –and this is the greatest matter.

Eighth: To be in seclusion reciting the Qur’aan,during that time in which Allaah descends to thelowest heaven (which is the last third of everynight), finishing this recitation with seekingAllaah’s forgiveness and repenting to Him.

Ninth: To sit in the gatherings of the true andsincere lovers of Allaah, reaping the fruits of theirspeech, and not to speak except if there is benefit init and that you know that such talk will increase youin goodness and that it will benefit others as well.

Tenth: To stay clear of all those causes whichdistances the heart from Allaah – the Mighty andMajestic.

So these are the ten reasons which cause the person todevelop true love for Allaah and to reach the rank ofal-muhabbah, by which he reaches his Beloved.