Top ten ways to earn Allah’s love according to Ibn al-Qayyim:

1. Reciting the Qur’an, reflecting upon it, and understanding its intended meanings.

2. Performing extra, voluntary good deeds and acts of worship in addition to the religious obligations.

3. Constantly remembering Allah in every situation by words, heart, and deeds.

4. Giving precedence to the love of Allah over one’s desires and whims.

5. Studying the Names and Attributes of Allah, bearing witness to them, and recognizing them.

6. Bearing witness to His benevolence, kind treatment, and blessings, whether apparent or hidden.

7. Presenting one’s ‘broken heart’ before Allah (by this he meant to be humble in front of Allah).

8. Seeking seclusion and private conversation with Allah in worship.

9. Keeping company with righteous believers whom He loves and benefiting from the ‘fruits’ of their words.

10. Keeping away from anything that might come between one’s heart and Allah Almighty.

Ibn al-Qayyim concludes, “From these ten means, those who show love to Allah will arrive at the (spiritual) station of true love and will enter upon the Beloved. The foundation of all that is in two affairs: preparing the soul for this matter and opening the eye of insight.”

Learn more about this topic in my paper for @yaqeeninstitute on Allah’s beautiful name, Al-Wadud (The Loving): https://yaqeeninstitute.org/justin-parrott/heavenly-affection-living-the-love-of-al-wadud/