What is the correct way to love and adore the Almighty?
The greatest way to attain the love of Allah has been suggested by the Qur’ān 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’ān 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 Madāriju’l Sālikīn. Imam Amin Ahsan Islahi has summarized this program in the following words:
1. Study the Qur’ān 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 blesings 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. (Islāhī, Tadhkiya-i-Nafs, 1st ed., vol. 2, [Lahore: Faran Foundation, 1989], p. 66)