Al-Wadud

Wadud is derived from the word Wudd which means love, friendship and affection. Therefore, Wadud signifies the one who possesses this quality by excellence. Allah Ta’ala is called Al-Wadud because Allah Ta’ala loves His servants more than a mother loves her baby whom she is still breastfeeding.

This divine love is intensified further for the servants who live in the obedience of Allah Ta’ala and who are sincere towards Him. Allah Ta’ala is Al-Wadud because His love is limitless. He is the origin and the source of love in all its forms. The love that we perceive in the universe is a manifestation of a tiny particle or a spark of the love that Allah Ta’ala possesses. This is merely to give us an idea. Otherwise, it does not decrease the love that Allah Ta’ala possesses by an iota also.

Nevertheless, one must bear in mind that there is a difference between the Muhabbat of Allah Ta’ala and the Muhabbat of Insaan. Muhabbat has an effect on Insaan and at times, he is carried away by it. However, it is not the case / such for Allah Ta’ala as nothing affects Allah Ta’ala and Allah Ta’ala is neither carried away nor influenced by things. He is beyond everything and He controls everything and everywhere.

Any talent or merit which is found in a person which is worthy of appreciation, emanates from Allah Ta’ala. The source of all benefits is Allah Ta’ala. Therefore, Allah Ta’ala is Al-Wadud as He has everything that attracts affection and love. The euphoria that a person feels for a person is nothing compared to what another person feels for Allah Ta’ala when he begins to have a little idea or a glimpse of Al-Wadud. If Insaan may be crazy for another Insaan of his like, whose talent and charm are merely transient, ephemeral and temporary, then what will be his condition if he happens to feel a small amount of it/get a taste of it from Allah Ta’ala?

Love for Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is essential for Imaan. One must love Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) more than everything; more than his parents, his children, his fortune and more than he loves himself. Love for Allah Ta’ala develops out of obedience for Allah Ta’ala. That is, by living according to the way that Allah Ta’ala wants. And such obedience is neither valid nor acceptable if it is not in conformity to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Hence, Muhabbat for Allah Ta’ala lies in following Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The more we follow Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), the more we will get closer to Allah Ta’ala and the more we will have love for Allah Ta’ala.

"O Allah, grant us Your Muhabbat and the Muhabbat of Your Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and grant us the willpower to follow His Sunnah."

The fact that Allah Ta’ala is Al-Wadud, means that we should develop love for Him; a love that surpasses all love, a love that renders all love bland and tasteless, a love that controls all our tendencies and feelings. It is a degree of love that renders difficulties easy, makes spending the night in Ibaadah easy and enjoyable and renders practices that are full of sensations and enjoyments become detestable. This attitude is very clearly seen in the life of the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallaahu Anhum), the Taabi'een, the Tab'i Taabi'een, the Auliya-Allah, the Mashaaikh and the Ulama also had received much of this colour. There is a saying that states that the circle of a person indicates the personality of that person. And this is very true. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said that a person tends to have the character of his close friend. Remaining in the companionship of pious people is a very effective way to transform the character and manner of a person for good. In fact, according to the Mashaaikh, this is the only way. Therefore, befriending the pious people is necessary for the development of this love to a degree and a stage that renders everything secondary to the love of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is a love that can reach such a degree whereby everything becomes secondary in front of the love of Allah Ta’ala to such an extent that even sacrificing one’s own life does not only become easy but desirous also.

[English version of "Al-Wadoud" – Al Jamiat – Vol. 8 No. 6]