Shaykh Ibn al-Qayyim (rah)
says: “The reasons which cause mahabbah (love) of Allaah Ta’ala to develop, are ten:

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

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

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

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

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

Sixth: Recognizing and remembering the favors
and bounties 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 the lowest heaven (which is the last third of every night), finishing this recitation with seeking Allaah’s forgiveness and repenting to Him.

Ninth: To sit in the gatherings of the true
and sincere lovers of Allaah, 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 benefit others as well.

Tenth: To stay clear of all those causes which
distances the heart from Allaah – the Mighty and Majestic.

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

Adapted from Shaykh Ibn
Qayyim’s (rah) Madarij-us-Saalikeen

Must Read Posts:

  1. Ten Ways Of Developing Love For Allah
  2. Ways To Obtain The Love Of Allah
  3. Love Of Allah
  4. 10 Ways To Be Firm Upon Islam
  5. Allah Will Invoke Love In All Creature’s Hearts