The thirst of

the heart

Truly in the heart there is a void that cannot beremoved except with the company of Allah. And in it there is a sadness that cannot be re-moved except with the happiness of knowingHim. And in it there is an emptiness that cannot befilled except with love for Him. And if a person were given all of the world andwhat is in it, it would not fill the emptiness.

Imam Ibn ul Qayyim

Truly Allah has vessels from amongst the people of the earth, and the vessels of your Lord are the hearts of His righteous slaves, and the most beloved of them to Him are the softest and mosttender ones.

(Hadith, Hasan)

O you who believe, do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto Him and strive with might and main in His cause, that you may prosper.

(Surat-ul Ma’edah)

Anas b. Mâlik relates that the Prophet peace be upon him) said: "If anyone possesses three qualities, he will experience the sweetness of faith: That Allah and His Messenger are dearer to him than anything else, that he loves another person solely for Allah's sake, and that he hates lapsing into unbelief as much as he would hate being cast into the fire.”

(Sahîh: Al-Bukhârî & Muslim)

“There is no doubt that the heart becomes covered with rust, just as metal dishes - silver, and their like - become rusty. So the rust of the heart is polished with dhikr (rememb-rance of Allâh), for dhikr polishes the heart until it be-comes like a shiny mirror. However, when dhikr is abandoned, the rust returns; andwhen it commences then the heart again begins to becleansed. Thus the heart becoming rusty is due to two matters: sins and ghaflah (neglecting remembrance of Allâh). Likewise, it is cleansed and polished by two things:istighfâr (seeking Allâh’s forgiveness) & dhikr.”

Imam Ibn ul Qayyim

The Prophet (peace be upon him) related to us that Allah says: "The most beloved things with which My servant draws nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him; and My servant keeps drawing closer to Me through performing voluntary acts until I love him. And when I love him, I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, his sense of sight with which he sees, his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks. If he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection I will protect him. I hesitate the most in acting when a believing servant hates to die, for I hate to displease him."

(Sahîh al-Bukhârî )

The Prophet (peace be upon him) related to us that Allah says: "I am as My servant thinks of Me.I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me within himself, I mention him within Myself. If he mentions me before company, I mention him before a greater company. If he draws near to Me a handspan, I draw near to him an arm's length. If he draws near to Me an arm's length, I come near to him the distance of outspread arms. If he comes to Me walking, I come to him running.“

(Sahîh: al-Bukhârî & Muslim)

“Say: If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your faults, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”

(Surah Aali ‘Imran, ayah 31)

…For Allah loves those who turnto Him constantly and He lovesthose who keep themselves pureand clean.

(Surat –ul Baqarah)

Those who spend (freely),whether in prosperity, or inadversity; who restrain anger,And pardon (all) men; - forAllah loves those who do good...

(Surah Aali ‘Imran)

Nay. - Those that keep theirplighted faith and act aright,-verily Allah loves thosewho act aright.

(Surah Aali ‘Imran)

How many of the prophets fought (inAllah's way), and with them large bands ofgodly men? But they never lost heart if theymet with disaster in Allah's way, nor didthey weaken (in will) nor give in. And Allah loves those who are firm andsteadfast.

(Surah Aali ‘Imran)

It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thoudost deal gently with them Wert thou severeor harsh-hearted, they would have brokenaway from about thee: so pass over (theirfaults), and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness forthem; and consult them in affairs (of mo-ment). Then, when thou hast taken a decisionput thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves thosewho put their trust (in Him).

(Surah Aali ‘Imran)

If two parties among the Believers fall into aquarrel, make ye peace between them: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah; but if it compliesthen make peace between them with justice, and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair(and just).

(Surat-ul Hujurat)

Allah is so happy when His servant repents –

He is as happy as a man who is wandering in a

barren wasteland after waking from a nap to

find his steed had wandered off with all his

food and provisions. Then, after the heat and

his thirst become severe, he falls asleep in the

same place and wakes to find his steed standing

before him.”(Sahîh al-Bukhârî & Muslim)

'A'ishah reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sent a man on an expedition and he used to recite for his companions in the prayer, ending with "Say: He is Allah, One." When they returned, they mentioned that to the Messenger of Allah and he said, "Ask him why he did it." They asked him and he said, "Because it is the description of the All-Merciful. So I love to recite it." The Messenger of Allah said, "Tell him that Allah Almighty loves him."

(Sahih ul- Bukhari & Muslim)

The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When Allah Almighty loves a slave, He calls out to Jibril, 'Allah Almighty loves so-and-so, so love him!' and Jibril loves him. Then a call goes out among the people of heaven, 'Allah Almighty loves so-and-so, so love him!' and the people of heaven love him. Then acceptance is placed in the earth for him. When He hates a slave, He calls out to Jibril, 'Allah Almighty hates so-and-so, so hate him!' and Jibril hates him. Then a call goes out among the people of heaven, ''Allah Almighty hates so-and-so, so hate him!' and the people of heaven hate him. Then hatred is placed in the earth for him.”

(Sahih Muslim)

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah Almighty says, 'I have declared war against anyonewho shows enmity towards a friend of Mine. My slave does not draw near to Me with anything I love more than what I made obligatory for him. Then My slavecontinues to draw near to Me with superogatoryactions until I love him. When I love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight by which hesees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot withwhich he walks. If he asks of Me, I give to him. If heseeks refuge with Me, I give him refuge.'“

(Sahih al-Bukhari)