The Fundamentals Which Cause Mahabbah (Love) of Allāh (The Lord).

Imām Ibn Al Qayyim – رحمة الله عليه – says: “The reasons which cause mahabbah of Allâh to develop, are ten:

1. Reciting the Qur‘ân, reflecting and understanding its meaning and its intent.

2. Drawing closer to Allāh – the Most High – through optional deeds, after fulfilling the obligatory duties.

3. Being continuous in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allāh, with the tongue, the heart and the limbs – under all circumstances. The more constant the dhikr, the more mahabbah develops and intensifies.

4. Giving precedence to what Allāh loves over personal loves, when being overcome by desires.

5. Contemplating and deliberating over the Names and Attributes of Allāh.

6. Recognising and remembering the favours and bounties of Allāh – both the manifest and hidden.

7. To be humble and submissive before Allāh – and this is the greatest matter.

8. To be in seclusion reciting the Qur’ān, during that time in which Allāh descends to the lowest heaven (which is the last third of every night), finishing this recitation with seeking Allâh’s forgiveness and repenting to Him.

9. To sit in the gatherings of true and sincere lovers of Allāh, reaping the fruits of their speech, and not to speak except if there is benefit in it and that you know that such talk will increase you in goodness and that it will benefits others as well.

10. To stay clear of all those causes which distances the heart from Allāh – the Mighty and Majestic.

So these are the ten reasons which cause the person to develop true love for Allāh and to reach the rank of al-muhabbah, by which he reaches his Beloved.”

● [مدارج السالكين ٣: ١٧-١٨]