Affection: Its status, fruit, and the reasons of obtaining it

The love of a servant to Allah, (may He be Exalted) is one of the greatest actions of the heart, but it is rather the origin of Islam. By the completion of love, religion will be complete and by the decrease of love, religion will be incomplete. The people who have complete faith are the people who love Allah the most along with other ordinances, such as the fear of Allah (may He be Exalted), glorifying and lowering oneself to Him.

This great love should not be shared by anyone but it should be directed solely for Allah (may He be Exalted)."There should be no one is beloved to oneself more than Allah," because no one is equal to Him, and no one will compete with Him in this love because it is the secret and origin of monotheism.

Love is the reason for satisfying Allah (may He be Exalted) and a reason for His Forgiveness, entering His Paradise, and gaining His Favor and Honor. When Allah loves someone, He draws them near to the angels, makes them accepted by people on Earth and among His Righteous Servants, guides them to goodness and facilitates it for them, warns and protects them against evil. Indeed, Allah dispraised a group of people who associated others with Him in love and threatened them with Fire, so He says: "And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allah as rivals (to Allah). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe, love Allah more (than anything else)." "Thus Allah will show them their deeds as regrets for them. And they will never get out of the Fire." Their retribution will be regret and fire on the Day of Recompense because of associating others with Allah in this love, this affection causes polytheism.

The pure love for Allah is not done by invocation nor by whims, but it is an action of the heart which is attested by sayings, actions, and conditions. Therefore, Allah tested some people who claimed His Love and asked them to set the verbal proof to their call. Allah (He may be Glorified) says: "If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most merciful." He commanded them to set the proof for their affection by following the Prophet (peace be upon him) and drew their attention to the benefit of affection, which is the love of Allah for the ones whom He loves, forgiving their sins, and expanding their sustenance by His Favor.