Articles

Qualities that Allah Loves
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 28-09-2022

Qualities that Allah Loves

 

Allah has shown us some qualities that He loves: Tawbah (Repentance, Taqwa (Piety), Ihsan (Goodness & Perfection), Taharah (Purification), and Jihad in the way of Allah.

What is the secret behind Allah`s love for these qualities?

Tawbah (Repentance) is returning to Allah, abandoning sins, showing deep sorrow and regret for committing them, and determining not to commit them again. Undoubtedly, choosing to abandon whatever distances one from the path of Allah indicates that one loves Allah and Allah loves them back. He The Almighty Says: "For God loves those who turn to Him constantly." [Al-Baqarah/222].

Taqwa (Piety) is when a person distances himself or herself from the punishment of Allah by eschewing sins because they incur His wrath. Undoubtedly, one who is keen on offering acts of obedience and avoiding acts of disobedience loves Allah and is loved by Him. He The Almighty Says (What means): "Nay.- Those that keep their plighted faith and act aright,-verily God loves those who act aright." [Al-Imran/76].

Ehsan (Goodness & Perfection) is to worship Allah as if you see Him and if you don`t achieve this state of devotion, then take it for granted Allah sees you. Someone of this state and rank must have the love of Allah settled in his/her heart and that Allah loves him/her back. Allah The Almighty (What means): "And spend of your substance in the cause of God, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for God loveth those who do good." [Al-Baqarah/195]. 

Taharah (Purification) is both external and internal; visible and invisible. External purity refers to removing filth and impurities. Internal purity refers to cleansing one`s heart from envy, hatred, and arrogance. Therefore, keenness on purifying one`s-self from these internal and external impurities indicates that such person loves Allah and is loved by Him. He The Almighty Says (What means): "He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean…." [Al-Baqarah, 222].

As for Jihad in the way of Allah, the person makes the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of Allah The Almighty. Moreover, preserving unity of the Muslim nation harnesses whims as well as prioritizes public interest. However, all of this stems from having the love of Allah in one`s heart and being loved by Him. Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "Truly God loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure." [As-Saf/4].

Enjoying these qualities retains Allah`s love for his servants. However, it isn`t easy to reach this rank. Rather, one has to fight ego and exercise patience. One way to achieve this is by keeping the company of those who enjoy these qualities for one is known by the company he/she keeps. This is reflected in the verse, whereas Allah, The Most Exalted Says (What means): "And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; no obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds.:" [Al-Kahf/28].

In conclusion, we Ask Allah for forgiveness and well-being in this world and the next.  

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to combine and shorten prayers at home before traveling?

It is impermissible to combine and shorten prayers at home before traveling because a person is called a traveler once he/she departs the borders of his/her country, and offering prayer that way was originally intended to exempt a traveler. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the ruling of Islam on swearing by Allah without intending to take an actual oath?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If someone swears by Allah without intending to take an actual oath, and without the firm resolve to bind themselves to it, then there is no sin or expiation (Kaffarah) required of them. Allah the Exalted says {what means}: 'God will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.' [Al-Baqarah/225]. However, a Muslim should avoid swearing oaths excessively so that their tongue does not become accustomed to it. Allah the Exalted says {what means}: 'And make not God’s (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for God is One Who heareth and knoweth all things.
' [Al-Baqarah/224]. And Allah the Exalted knows best."

What is the ruling on waiving a debt owed by a debtor and counting it toward zakāh?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Waiving a debt owed by a debtor, with the intention of counting it toward zakāh, does not fulfill the zakāh obligation. Rather, it constitutes an ordinary act of charity, for which Allah rewards the giver generously — since one of the conditions for the validity of zakāh is that the person paying it must form the intention of zakāh at the actual moment the wealth is paid out. In this case, the debt has already been established as a standing obligation upon the borrower, so it is not valid to simply redirect the intention toward zakāh after the fact.
It is preferable, instead, for the creditor to first collect the debt from the debtor, and then return to him the amount of money he is required to pay as zakāh — or a portion of it — if the debtor happens to fall under one of the eight categories that Allah, the Exalted, has commanded be given from zakāh.
It is stated in ‘Umdat as-Sālik, from the books of the Shāfi‘ī school: "If someone gives [money] to a poor person, stipulating that the recipient return it to him in payment of a debt owed to him, or says, 'I am making what you owe me into zakāh, so take it [as such]' — this is not valid. But if he gives it to him with the [unstated] intention that the recipient will use it to repay him, or says, 'Repay what you owe me, so that I may [then separately] give it to you as zakāh,' or the debtor himself says, 'Give it to me, so that I may [then] repay you with it' — this is valid, and there is no binding obligation for the recipient to actually fulfill this [informal understanding]." And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling on using the *subḥah* (prayer beads) to count during *tasbīḥ* and *dhikr*?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is recommended to use the ordinary or electronic subḥah (prayer beads or counter) to count tasbīḥ, dhikr, and istighfār, because it helps one to remember Allah. Many reports have been transmitted from the Companions and the Followers (tābiʿūn) showing that they continued to use strings of date pits as an aid to dhikr and tasbīḥ.
It is one of the lawful means of worship. Indeed, what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), namely that he counted tasbīḥ on his right hand, shows that it is permissible to count tasbīḥ with whatever helps a Muslim keep track of the number. There is therefore no basis for calling it an innovation (bidʿah), and we know of no jurist who said so.
Al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Suyūṭī (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote a dedicated treatise on the subject titled al-Minḥah fī al-Subḥah, printed within al-Ḥāwī li’l-Fatāwī (vol. 4–6).
Shaykh al-Islām Imam Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: Does the subḥah have a basis in the Sunnah? He replied: “Yes, and al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Suyūṭī wrote on this. Among the evidence is what is authentically reported from Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both): ‘I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) counting tasbīḥ on his hand.’ Ibn Abī Shaybah, Abū Dāwūd, and al-Tirmidhī also narrated: ‘Hold fast to tasbīḥ, tahlīl, and taqdīs, and do not be heedless, lest you forget the affirmation of Allah’s oneness (tawḥīd). Count them on the fingertips, for they will be questioned and made to speak.’ Counting tasbīḥ with pebbles, date pits, and a knotted string has also been reported from a group of the Companions and those after them. Some scholars held that counting on the fingertips is better than the subḥah, based on the ḥadīth of Ibn ʿUmar. Others distinguished, saying: if the one reciting is safe from miscounting, counting on the fingertips is better; otherwise the subḥah is better.” [al-Fatāwā al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kubrā, Vol.1/p.152]. And Allah Almighty knows best.