Human beings have their own standards for evaluating fellow human beings that varies from society to society in different ages. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa), the Creator and the Owner of the Day of Judgment, tells His standard in Quraan as:
إِنَّ أَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَىٰكُمۡۚ(13)
“Surely the noblest of you, in Allah‘s sight, is the one who is most pious of you.” (al Hujuraat 49:13)
This may be elaborated by saying that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) has no relationship with His servants, the human beings, on the parameters that prevail in human societies. Rather, He chooses from among His servants for his love and blessings on the basis of traits and qualities He has prescribed through His Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam).
Following are few qualities of those who are beloved to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa).
1) Sabr (Patience)
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says:
وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ (146)
“And Allah loves as-Saabiroon (the patients).” (Aale ‘Imraan 3:146)
2) ‘Adl (Justice and Dealing with Equity)
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says:
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٰمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شَنََٔانُ قَوۡمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعۡدِلُواْۚ ٱعۡدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ (8)
“O you who believe!Be steadfast for (obeying the commands of) Allah, (and) witnesses for justice. Malice against a people should not prompt you to avoid doing justice. Do justice. That is nearer to Taqwaa (Piety). Fear Allah. Surely, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” (al Maaida 5:8)
He also says:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُقۡسِطِينَ (9)
“Surely Allah loves those who maintain justice.” (al Hujuraat 49:9)
3) Tawakkul (Putting Trust) in Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلِينَ (159)
“Certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” (Aale ‘Imraan 3:159)
4) Rahm (Kindness)
Hadhrat Ayeshah narrated that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) said: “Allah loves kindness in all matters.” (Bukhari)
5) Tawbah (Repentance)
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ (222)
“Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto him in repentance.” (al Baqarah 2:222)
6) Taqwaa (Piety and Allah-fearing)
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says:
فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ (76)
“Verily, then Allah loves those who are al-Muttaqoon (Allah-fearing).” (Aale‘Imraan 3:76)
He also says at another place in Quraan:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ (4)
“Surely, Allah loves the Allah-fearing.” (at Tawbah 9:4)
Reported by Hadhrat Sa`ad bin Abi Waqaas that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam)said: “Allah loves a slave who is pious, free of all wants and the unnoticed.”
7) Muhsin (Good-doers)
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ (195)
“Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinoon (the good-doers).” (al Baqarah 2:195)
8) Tahaarah (Purification)
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says:
وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُطَّهِّرِينَ (108)
“and Allah loves those observing purity.” (at Tawbah 9:108)
9) Tawaadhu’ (Humility) of the Rich
Hadhrat Sa’ad bin Abi Waqaas reported that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) said: “Allah loves the believer who is pious and rich, but does not show off.” (Muslim)
10) Sakhaa (Generosity and Magnanimity)
It is narrated that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) said: “Allah is All-Generous and He loves generosity in sale, purchase and judgment.” (Haakim)
11) Hubbu lillah (Love for His Sake)
This is Love with other Muslim brothers for the sake of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). It is narrated that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) said: “If two individuals love each other for the sake of Allah, the stronger in love to his brother will be more loved by Allah.” (Tabaraani, Ibn Ya’laa, Ibn Hibbaan and Haakim)
12) Dawaam (Continuous Performance of Righteous Deeds)
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) said: “The best loved deeds to Allah are the ones that are continuous even if they are not very many.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
13) Istiqaamah (Steadfastness):
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says:
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِيّٖ قَٰتَلَ مَعَهُۥ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ فَمَا وَهَنُواْ لِمَآ أَصَابَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُواْ وَمَا ٱسۡتَكَانُواْۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ (146)
“There have been many prophets with whom many men of Allah have fought; they did not lose heart for what they suffered in the way of Allah, nor did they become weak, nor did they yield. Allah loves the steadfast.” (Aale ‘Imraan 3:146)
14) Offering Salaah on time
The Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) said: “The thing that Allah loves most is when his people offerSalaah on time.” (Bukhari)
15) Akhlaaq (Good Manners and Conduct)
It is narrated that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) said: “The best loved by me and the nearest to me on the seats on the Day of Qiyaamah (Resurrection) are those who have the best manners and conduct amongst you, who are intimate, are on good terms with others and are humble, and the most hated by me and who will be on the furthest seats from me are those who are talkative and arrogant.” (at Tirmizi)
Love of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) is the basis of worship that should be directed to Him alone. Any other love should be for his sake too.
The real love of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) is to do whatever He ordained and to abandon whatever He forbade, in addition to following Sunnah of His Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam). Whoever obeys someone or something other than Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) and His Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam), or follows any saying other than theirs, or fears other than Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) or seeks the pleasure of anyone other than Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa), or puts his trust in other than Him, does not love Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa), nor does he love His Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam).
Muslims should also love one another and wish the best for one another. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) said: “One will not be a true believer unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Bukhari)