Be among those Allah loves

The unique feature of Surat at-Tawbah

Surat at-Tawbah, (sometimes also called al-Bara’ah) is the only surah out of all 114 in the Quran which doesn’t begin with the basmalah. The reason for this has been discussed at length by scholars of the Quran. One opinion is that Surat al-Anfal and Surat at-Tawbah are actually one continuous surah rather than two separate ones.

Another opinion put forward by Imam al-Qushayri in his tafsir is that this is just to show us Allah’s will.

Allah (Glory be to Him) has stripped this Surah of the mention of Basmalah”In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” to show that He chooses whom He wills, what He wills, and how He wills, and He distinguishes whom He wills, what He wills, and how He wills. There is no cause for His actions, and He has no purpose or desire in His deeds. It has become clear to everyone that this verse has been established in the Book because it is revealed, and the command here is for you to comprehend.

The Quran is Allah’s word, so He can do whatever He wants in it, whether we understand it or not. It’s there for us to ponder over, and if we can’t figure it out then we just have to rely on Allah’s wisdom.

It’s similar to the surahs which open with the mysterious letters, such as Alif Laam Meem. The best interpretation scholars have come up with for these is that only Allah knows what they mean. This shows you how little we know, compared to the vastness of Allah’s knowledge. Our intellect has a ceiling – no matter how much technology or AI humans invent, we are still limited, but Allah’s knowledge is limitless.

Allah loves people of taqwa

Surat at-Tawbah is a Madani surah. In comparison with Surat al-Anfal, which was revealed in the year 2 AH after the Battle of Badr, the Muslims’ first battle, this was revealed in 9 AH after the Battle of Hunayn, almost the last battle fought by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).

One of the key lessons from the surah is that Allah loves the people of taqwa.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ,

Surely, Allah loves those who are mindful ˹of Him˺. (9:4 & 9:7)

Other characteristics of the people Allah loves

Everyone wants to be loved by Allah, and in this ayah, He is giving you the key. There are many similar examples in the Quran of other categories of people Allah loves.

Thirteen qualities Allah loves

1. Allah loves those who keep repenting – التَّوَّابِينَ (tawwabeen)

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

“Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” (Surat al-Baqarah 2:222)

2. Allah loves those who purify themselves – الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ (mutatahhireen)

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

“Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” (Surat al-Baqarah 2:222)

These people avoid shirk and wrong actions, maintain ritual purity ( with wudu and ghusl), and keep themselves clean after relieving themselves. They keep free from impurities whether physical or in belief or in behaviour.

3. Allah loves the obedient (the righteous) – الْمُتَّقِينَ (muttaqeen)

إِنَّهُمۡ إِن يَظۡهَرُواْ عَلَيۡكُمۡ يَرۡجُمُوكُمۡ أَوۡ يُعِيدُوكُمۡ فِي مِلَّتِهِمۡ وَلَن تُفۡلِحُوٓاْ إِذٗا أَبَدٗا

“Indeed, Allah loves the righteous (the obedient to Him).” (Surat at-Tawbah 9:4)

4. Allah loves those who exhibit excellence – الْمُحْسِنِينَ (muhsineen)

ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي ٱلسَّرَّآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَٱلۡكَٰظِمِينَ ٱلۡغَيۡظَ وَٱلۡعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ

“Those who spend [in the cause of Allah] in prosperity and adversity, who restrain their anger and pardon people – and Allah loves the doers of good.” (Surat Aal-e-Imran 3:134)

5. Allah loves those who put their trust in him – الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ (mutawakkileen)

فَإِذَا عَزَمۡتَ فَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلِينَ

“And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely upon Him.” (Surat Aal-e-Imran 3:159)

6. Allah loves the just – الْمُقْسِطِينَ (muqsiteen)

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُقۡسِطِينَ

“Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” (Surat al-Ma’idah 5:42)

7. Allah loves the patient – الصَّابِرِينَ (sabireen)

وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِيٍّ قَٰتَلَ مَعَهُۥ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٞ فَمَا وَهَنُواْ لِمَآ أَصَابَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُواْ وَمَا ٱسۡتَكَانُواْۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ

“And how many a prophet [fought and] with him fought many religious scholars. But they never lost assurance due to what afflicted them in the cause of Allah, nor did they weaken or submit. And Allah loves the patient.” (Surat Aal-e-Imran 3:146)

8. Allah loves those who are easy-going and make life easy for others

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Indeed, Allah loves kindness in all matters.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

9. Allah loves those who do not argue

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids arguing, even if he is right.” (Abu Dawood)

10. Allah loves those who are humble

وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمۡشُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هَوۡنٗا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلۡجَٰهِلُونَ قَالُواْ سَلَٰمٗا

“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.” (Surat al-Furqan 25:63)

11. Allah loves those who are selfless and put others first

وَيُؤۡثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ وَلَوۡ كَانَ بِهِمۡ خَصَاصَةٞۚ

“And they give [others] preference over themselves, even though they are in need.” (Surat al-Hashr 59:9)

12. Allah loves the grateful

لَئِن شَكَرۡتُمۡ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمۡ وَلَئِن كَفَرۡتُمۡ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٞ

“If you are grateful, I will surely increase [My blessings] for you; but if you deny [My favours], indeed, My punishment is severe.” (Surat Ibrahim 14:7)

13. Allah loves those who are modest.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Modesty (Haya) is part of faith, and faith leads to Paradise.” (Muslim)

The 9 qualities Allah hates

1. Allah does not love the aggressors – المعتدين (Al-Mu‘tadīn)

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

“Indeed, Allah does not love the aggressors.” (Surat al-Baqarah 2:190)

2. Allah does not love the ungrateful – كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ (Al-Kaffār Al-Athīm)

وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ

“And Allah does not love any sinful ingrate.” (Surat al-Baqarah 2:276)

3. Allah does not love the disbelievers – الكافرين (Al-Kāfirīn)

فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ

“Indeed, Allah does not love the disbelievers.” (Surat Aal-e-Imran 3:32)

4. Allah does not love the unjust – الظَّالِمِينَ (Adh-Dhālimīn)

وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ

“And Allah does not love the unjust (wrongdoers).” (Surat Aal-e-Imran 3:57)

5. Allah does not love those who cause corruption – الْمُفْسِدِينَ (Al-Mufsidīn)

وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِينَ
“And Allah does not love the corrupters.” (Surah al-Ma’idah 5:64)

6. Allah does not love the deceitful sinner – خَوَّانًا أَثِيمًا (Al-Khawwān Al-Athīm)

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ خَوَّانًا أَثِيمًا

“Indeed, Allah does not love the deceitful sinner.” (Surat an-Nisa 4:107)

7. Allah does not love the extravagant – الْمُسْرِفِينَ (Al-Musrifīn)

إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ

“Indeed, He does not love those who are excessive.” (Surat al-A’raf 7:31)

8. Allah does not love the deluded and boastful – مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا (Mukhtālan Fakhūrā)

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا
“Indeed, Allah does not love those who are arrogant and boastful.” (Surat an-Nisa 4:36)

9. Allah does not love those who speak foul language – السُّوءَ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ (As-Sū’a Min Al-Qawl)

لَا يُحِبُّ اللَّهُ الْجَهْرَ بِالسُّوءَ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ إِلَّا مَنْ ظُلِمَ
“Allah does not like the public mention of evil speech, except by one who has been wronged.” (Surat an-Nisa 4:148)

Upgrade your imaan in Ramadan

Ramadan is the time for spiritual cleanliness and purifying your heart – rubbing away our sins and mistakes. The same way we are excited to get new software updates for our phones and machines, we should be excited to upgrade ourselves and our imaan to reach the next level. We should have limitless ambition to get closer and closer to Allah, and Ramadan is the best time to do this.

Don’t be satisfied with the old version of yourself – now is the time to become a better version. We need these upgrades not just for our body, but for our hearts and also for our families and communities. Seize these opportunities to be among those whom Allah loves.

How do you become a person of taqwa? Simply do the obligations and recommendations, and refrain from prohibitions and doubtful matters. Then you will be in the category of those Allah loves.

What happens when Allah loves you?

The fruits of Allah’s love are beyond our comprehension. He calls out to Jibril, telling him that He loves you, and your name will become known in the heavens: you will be a celebrity among the angels. You don’t need anyone else’s love after that; Allah is enough.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“When Allah loves a slave, calls out Jibril and says: ‘I love so-and-so; so love him’. Then Jibril loves him. After that he (Jibril) announces to the inhabitants of heavens that Allah loves so- and-so; so love him; and the inhabitants of the heavens (the angels) also love him and then make people on earth love him”. (Bukhari)

On top of that, Jibril will love you and call on the dwellers of Heaven and tell them Allah loves so-and-so, so they should also love them. Allah will also put acceptance for you on Earth: wherever you go, you will find people accepting you.

For example, Imam Nawawi is beloved by all sects and groups, even though he only lived a short time. This is a sign of Allah’s love.

We ask Allah to make us among those He loves, and make us constantly want to seek His love, and maintain it and spread it.

Delievered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 16th Ramadan 2025. Transcribed by H Khan

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