The reasons which cause Mahabbah of Allâh to develop, are ten:
1: Reciting the Qur‘ân, reflecting and understanding its meaning and its intent.
2: Drawing closer to Allâh – the Most High – through optional deeds, after fulfilling the obligatory duties.
3: Being continuous in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allâh, with the tongue, the heart and the limbs – under all circumstances. The more constant the dhikr, the more mahabbah develops and intensifies.
4: Giving precedence to what Allâh loves over personal loves, when being overcome by desires.
5: Contemplating and deliberating over the Names and Attributes of Allâh.
6: Recognizing and remembering the favors and bounties of Allâh – both the manifest and hidden.
7: To be humble and submissive before Allâh – and this is the greatest matter.
8: To be in seclusion reciting the Qur‘ân, during that time in which Allâh descends to the lowest heaven (which is the last third of every night), finishing this recitation with seeking Allâh’s forgiveness and repenting to Him.
9: To sit in the gatherings of true and sincere lovers of Allâh, reaping the fruits of their speech, and not to speak except if there is benefit in it and that you know that such talk will increase you in goodness and that it will benefits others as well.
10: To stay clear of all those causes which distances the heart from Allâh – the Mighty and Majestic.
So these are the ten reasons which cause the person to develop true love for Allâh and to reach the rank of al-muhabbah, by which he reaches his Beloved.
Adapted from Shaykh Ibn Qayyim's (rah) Madarij-us-Saalikeen
