Ten Gateways!
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy
Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Bin Abdul Muhsin Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him) said in his explanation of Al-Aqeedah Al-Waasitiyyah: Lesson: 11]
Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa-ah affirm and believe in Allaah’s Attribute of love.
Allaah loves the doers of good, the people of piety and the repentant. He loves those who purify themselves, those who fight in His cause and those who follow the noble Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam). He loves the characteristics of Imaan, the acts of worship He has commanded His slaves and those who carry out such commandments. He loves the act of repentance and those who repent, and He loves piety and the people of piety. He loves perfection in worship and those who carry out acts of worship with perfection and are doers of good. He loves all the things he has commanded and those who carry out such actions. Indeed, the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) used to say in his supplication:
اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أسْألُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَحُبَّ الْعَمَل الَّذِي يُقَرِّبُنِي إِلَى حُبِّك
‘’O Allaah! I ask for your love and the love of the one who loves you, and the love for the deeds that will draw me close to your love.’’
[Summarized: Imaam Ibnul Qayiim: The Means employed in order to increase one’s love for Allaah]
[1]Recitation of the Qur’aan and pondering upon its verses.
[2]Seeking nearness to Allaah by performing the supererogatory deeds after fulfilling the obligatory deeds.
[3]Consistency in remembrance of Allaah, such as the legislated supplications in the morning and evening etc.
[4]Giving precedence to that which Allaah loves and not what one desires in his dealings.
[5]Seeking the correct understanding of the Names and Attributes of Allaah, because whenever a person increases in his knowledge about Allaah, he loves and fears him more.
[6]To bear witness to the blessings of Allaah, talking about it and praising Him for it.
[7]Displaying one’s poverty and need in the presence of Allaah and to have a desire for His reward.
[8]To isolate oneself (from everything) during the time in which Allaah descends to the lowest heaven. The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven every night- in the last third of the night-saying: Who is asking Me so that I may grant him; who is calling upon Me so that I may respond to him; who is seeking My Forgiveness so that I may forgive him.’’
[9]To keep the company of the truthful people. Allaah (The Most High) said: ”And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, etc., and other righteous deeds, etc.) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair (deeds) has been lost.’’ [Soorah Kahf: Ayah: 28]
[10]To distance the heart from all the means and causes that comes between it and Allaah
For full details on the above Ten points, see Madaarij as-saalikeen of Imaam Ibnul Qayyim
Written by Abu Mu'aawiyyah Abdullah. Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Uncategorized, Worship - 'Ibaadah'
source: salaficentre.com