Central Sermon: “The One Whom Allah Loves Is Never Alone”

The most important thing in a believer’s life is the knowledge of Allah the Exalted through His beautiful names. One of these names is Al-Wadoud – The One who loves and spreads love. Allah’s love for the believers is manifested in every act of His mercy: “He is the One who forgives and is full of love.” (Al-Buruj, 14)

Islamic scholars say that Allah gives believers only what benefits them and withholds only what harms them. Al-Wadoud also makes His sincere servants loved by others, as it is said: “The Most Merciful will surely make those who believe and do righteous deeds beloved to others.” (Maryam, 96)

It is narrated that Muhammad ibn Munkadir said to Abu Hazim: “Abu Hazim, what does this mean? I meet many people who make kind supplications for me, yet I do not know them, nor have I ever done any good to them.” Abu Hazim replied: “Do not think it is because of your good deeds, but rather look at who is behind it and thank Him.”

This is truly the greatest honor. Most people desire to draw closer to those in power, the notables, and the wealthy, seeking to be near them and boast about it. But Allah draws believers closer to Himself and has revealed in His Book that He loves them and that they love Him, as mentioned in the verse: “O you who believe! Whoever among you turns back from his religion, Allah will bring forth people whom He loves and who love Him, humble toward the believers, stern toward the disbelievers; they strive in the way of Allah and fear not the blame of any critic. That is the grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.” (Al-Ma’idah, 54)

Commenting on this verse, Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah said: “It is not surprising that a servant is humble before Allah and persists in obedience to Him, considering his constant need for his Lord. What is astonishing is that the Lord grants His love to His servant, showering him with His goodness and blessings, even though He has no need for him.” (Al-Fawa’id, I/38)
If Allah loves you, He will never abandon you during the crisis you are going through. He will protect you from your enemies, for if Al-Wadoud is with you, be certain of His help and support, as mentioned in the hadith qudsi: “I have declared war against anyone who is hostile to My close servant or wali. The most beloved thing with which My servant can draw near to Me is what I have enjoined upon him. My servant continues to draw near to Me through voluntary acts until I love him. When I love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he grasps, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks Me for something, I will surely grant it, and if he seeks My protection, I will surely protect him.” (Al-Bukhari)

If Allah loves you, He will not leave you alone in your grave; He will send a young man of beautiful appearance who will say to you: “I am your good deed,” and he will give you the glad tidings of the reward of Paradise.
Ibn Al-Qayyim said: “It is not surprising that the servant loves Allah, but what is surprising is that Allah loves His servants, even though He has no need for them.”

Let us strive, therefore, to earn Allah’s love through sincere worship and good deeds, for we will regret every moment of our lives that was an opportunity to draw closer to Al-Wadoud and earn His love, but that we did not take advantage of.

O our Lord, we ask You for Your love and the love of those who love You, and we ask You to grant us every deed that leads to Your love. Make us among those about whom You said: “He loves them, and they love Him.”

(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on September 13, 2024, at the “Association Islamique de Wiltz” in Wiltz)