5 ways to strengthen your relationship with Allah

By Shazia Arif

Bismillah

Going through a rough time?

Going through life there will always be ups and downs. Some take on those challenges in a calm yet brave manner, while others are completely shattered. Let`s focus on the person who`s calm and brave. Have you ever wondered why they act like that? They could be going through life’s biggest problems, but they still have a content look on their face. Are they crazy? Some people may think that, but I know the secret behind the contentment. Do you want to know? These people have a strong relationship with Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala! They know that no matter what happens Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala is always there with them. He is on their side. All the person has to do, is trust Him. Do you wish you were that person? Psssst… I got another secret! I think I may just know how to get closer to Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala.

1. Learn the Quran

When a person studies a subject they love, they are determined to know the subject inside out. Since we all claim that we love the Quran, shouldn’t we learn the Quran inside out? Now I’m not talking about just reading it 498721216 times in your life, even though that is a good thing. But there’s more to the Quran than just reading it. Start off by reading the translation of the Quran after you finish reciting and my personal recommendation of a really good translation would be Sahih International. Now you’ll know what Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala is saying to you! But hey, once you’ve mastered the translation, why not understand the deep meaning behind each and every verse Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala has revealed. The context behind it, the situation in which the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was in. Sounds interesting right? Well then, make it a habit to read the tafsir of the Quran after reciting it and the recommendation for tafsir would be by Ibn Kathir.

So now you have a general idea of the translation and meaning of the Quran, but let’s take this one step further? Why not learn the Quranic translation word for word? Just imagine! You’re standing in taraweeh, and you hear the Imam crying instead of having to wonder why he’s crying you’ll know and can cry along with him. You won’t be on autopilot mode during your salah, you’ll understand every single word you’re saying.

Once you learn the Quran, won’t your love for Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala automatically increase? When your love for Him will increase, then your relationship with Him will be stronger inshaAllah.

“The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it to others.” [Al-Bukhaari] 

2. Learn Allah’s names

When one is in love, what do they do? Do they call the person by the same name all the time? Nope, they make up nicknames for them, and call them those according to the situation. When we want to call upon Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala, why don’t we use the beautiful names He has set for himself? Not only learn the names, but their beautiful meaning as well. If while making dua, we use these different names, our dua will be enhanced and we’ll feel a different yet deeper connection with Allah subhaana wa ta'aala.

Allah subhaana wa ta'aala says in the Quran:

“The most beautiful Names are for Allah, so call on Him by them...” (Surah Araaf: 180)

When a person becomes really close to another person, or wants to become close to them, they call them by several different names. Why? Out of love for that person and because of the close and strong relationship they have with the person. How many of you call your parents by different names? It could be mom, mommy, mama , baba, dad etc. And you’ll notice a different reaction which each name, they may like a certain name more than the other. Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala Himself is telling us to call him by the names He has ascribed. What more does a person want? The opportunity is there GRAB IT! Some of the names mentioned in the Quran are:

''He is Allah , other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. He is Allah , other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him. He is Allah , the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.'' 
(Surah Al- Hashr : 22-24) 

3. Recognize Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala through is His signs in the Universe

Have you ever wondered about Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala’s creations in the universe? We all know that Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala alone has created everything, but have we ever actually given each and every creation a thought? Take time out and look at the sky, the ground, the trees, everything around you, even your own self! You were created from a mere sperm drop, a single cell; look at yourself and how you’ve turned into a multi cellular being, yet refuse to understand who was behind this transformation. Have a look at everything around you and realize that Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala made all this for YOU, so that you could enjoy and be at peace. What if there was no sky and we could see all the comets and meteors passing by? What if the earth was not in a round shape, we could possibly fall off? What if there was no such thing as rain and we would have to water every single thing ourselves by hand. Recognize these signs. Realize how amazing Allah subhaana wa ta'aala is. And you’ll automatically draw close to Him

''Have We not made the earth a resting place? And the mountains as stakes? And We created you in pairs. And made your sleep [a means for] rest. And made the night as clothing. And made the day for livelihood. And constructed above you seven strong [heavens]. And made [therein] a burning lamp. And sent down, from the rain clouds, pouring water. That We may bring forth thereby grain and vegetation. And gardens of entwined growth.'' 
(Surah Naba: 6-16) 

4. Do what Allah subhaana wa ta'aala likes and stay away from what He dislikes

This is easy to say hard to do, but let’s understand this by an example. There is a child, and he listens to his mom in all aspects of his life, he does what she asks him to do and leaves out what she tells him to abstain from. But this child does not listen to his father whatsoever; they are constantly in disagreement with each other. Think about both the relationships and figure out which one is stronger. The one with the mother of course, because the child is doing what the mother likes and staying away from what the mother dislikes resulting in a close bond between them both. This type of relationship would result in the child to have full trust on his mother, the child always turning to the mother, and a sense of peace brcause the child is fully aware of the fact that his mother is there for him.

Now what if we made our relationship with Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala like that? Where we do what pleases Him and stay away from what displeases Him. Wouldn’t we be in Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala’s mercy then? And what will happen once we are in Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala’s mercy? We will get that ‘sense of calmness’, we’ll have someone to trust and turn to all the time.  

5. Pray

Pray. Just do it.

It’s that simple. This is because while one is praying, he is actually having a conversation with Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala. If you notice in friendships, the ones which last for several years, how do they last so long? Do they talk once in a while for a couple of minutes, or are the two friends always talking?

The more we pray the better our relationship is with Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala.

- If you don’t pray regularly start doing that

- If you pray regularly, then start praying the Sunnah

- If you pray the Sunnah as well, then start doing Nawafil

- If you’re doing that then start waking up for tahajjud salah

There’s always room for more.

‘‘Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive’’ (Surah Mu’minon: 1-2)

In the above ayah, the quality of being a successful believer is of one who prays, but is humbly submissive in his prayer; he does it out of his own will and happily. Success means having a high eeman which in turn means having a strong relationship with Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala, and in this relationship one knows His book very well, he knows Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala’s names, His creations, and lives his life according to the will of Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala. After recognizing who Allah really is, how can one not pray?

Your relationship with Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala all depends on your eeman. We all need eeman boost every once in a while, so once you adopt any of these methods, do it continuously and don’t be disheartened if sometimes you feel your relationship is going to the lows because it happens to everyone, just make sure you do something about it and bring it back up.

I’d love to hear your views and methods of strengthening relationship with Allah. Post in the comments section below! :)

Posted in: Allah,For the sake of Allah,Islam,Learning,Prayer,Relationships,Shazia Arif,Spirituality,Worship