Page 12 - Quick Grasp of Faith 3

1. What does it mean to draw close to Allah?
Drawing close to Allah means to enhance one’s love, de-
votion, awe, and faith for Allah. There is no limit to how
near one can draw to Allah. In the Hereafter, people will be
repaid in proportion to their nearness to Him and, accord-
ingly, will earn eternal life in Paradise. Therefore, every per-
son should strive to make a sincere effort, as Allah
proclaims. The Qur’an points out the believers’ efforts in the
following terms:
And among the desert Arabs there are some who be-
lieve in Allah and the Last Day, and regard what they
give as something that will bring them nearer to Allah
and to the prayers of the Messenger. It does indeed
bring them near. Allah will admit them into His mercy.
Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat at-
Tawba, 99)
As a result of such an effort, the love and devotion of
people who have drawn closer to Allah become even more
intensified. They start to feel a greater contentment in their
hearts with our Lord, seek to avoid acting in a way that
would not please Allah, and accordingly ward off evil. Their
devotion to religion, as well as their eagerness and will to
serve religion, grow stronger. The stronger their closeness to
Allah, the greater their virtues.

2. What should the believers’ target be in

terms of getting close to Allah?
In the verse "You who believe! Heed Allah, seek the
means of drawing near to Him, and strive in His Way, so
that hopefully you will be successful" (Surat al-Ma’ida: 35),
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