Introduction
We as human beings spend so much time and energy seeking the approval, validation and love of others, yet the greatest achievement a human being can truly attain is the divine pleasure of God.
To achieve the pleausure of our Lord Most High, we must know both what God loves and also what God hates, we must know what is pleasing to the Divine and also what is displeasing to our Creator.
It is important to remember that all of the prophets and messengers of God, from Adam to Noah to Abraham to Moses to Jesus to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, peace and blessings be upon them all, but sought to lead human beings to the divine pleasure of the Lord of Heavens.
What God loves most and more than even prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimmage and all other forms of external worship is quite simply good, blessed, beautiful and noble character.
It is precisely the cultivation of excellence in character that was explicitly the very mission of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who stated in an authentic tradition, “I have been sent but to perfect excellence in character.”
I was sent but to perfect excellence in character.
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Conversely, what is most displeasing to God is bad and negative character, for it is that which is evil inwardly that leads to and results in evil outwardly in the world.
In previous posts, I discussed what God hates:
In this post, I would like to share with you what God loves most.
What God Loves Most: Humility
Of all the qualities and characeristics that we can cultivate and embody, what God loves most and that which is most pleasing to He Almighty is humility.
The cultivation of a state, character and personality of humility is at the essence of the real purpose of faith, religion and spiritual development, for with a humble heart, all good qualities are made possible.
Humility is the basis of good character and it is what makes true faith possible. Likewise, it is the lack of humility is that prevents faith from entering the heart.
Humility is the opposite of arrogance, stubborness and pride, the qualities and characteristics that most veil the heart from the subtle light of truth and that preclude purity of personality.
Regarding humility, Jesus (as) is reported as having stated, “Blessed are the humble, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Blessed are the humble, for they shall inherit the earth.
— Jesus (as) [Matthew 5:5]
Humility the key and essence of surrender, for it is that which makes surrender possible, and we must remember that surrender is the very religion, the path and the way.
Whereas humility and selflessness result in happiness and harmony with the will of the Divine, ego, arrogance and pride result in resistance to what is, often accompanied by anger and culminating in violence either physically, verbally or energetically.
Sadly, by acting out of negative state and emotions, we only perpetuate suffering and pain rather than reach resolution. Yet by acting out of humility, patience, forbearance, compassion and wisdom, we transcend the very trials that would otherwise keep us stuck in grief.
How to Cultivate Humility
To cultivate humility and a heart that is pleasing to the Creator, begin acting upon the following three suggestions.
1) Be patient with disliked things.
Learn to surrender when necessary and root yourself in peace when you are triggered. This is vital especially at the fist onset of a challenge, test, trial or tribulation.
Remember that by resisting what is, we only perpetuate undesirable circumstances. Yet by exercising patience and humility, we awaken, evolve and transcend.
In order to develop the capacity and ability to remain rooted under stress, learn how to meditate.
2) Be positive.
Remember that al-Islam is positivity. Avoid complaining, for complaining only perpetuates and creates increasingly more undesirable circumstances.
What you focus on, you expand, increase and attract to yourself. If you focus on negative things, you will get more of them. Yet if you focus on that which is positive, you will attract more blessings and positive circumstances into your life.
In fact, Allah Almighty clearly states in the Holy Qur’an that being grateful will result in the increase of blessings, abundance and prosperity.
And remeber, your Lord has proclaimed, “When you are grateful, I will surely increasey you. Yet if you disbelieve, My punishment is severe.”
— Surah Ibrahim [14:7]
To learn how to develop a state of peace, harmony and alignment with divine will, and to learn how to attract the blessings of the Divine, learn to master the law of attraction and work with the will of God and the laws of the Universe as He Almighty has established them towards the divine purpose of spiritual growth, development and awakening.
3) Pray and practice in the deep night.
Meditative, contemplative and spiritual practice carry particular potency in the deep night. The last third of the night in particular is the most blessed and beneficial time for worship and prayer.
By spending such intimate time alone in the presence of your Lord, you develop prophetic humility. Nothing can be more beautiful in the sight of God than they who in humility, love and sincerity prostrate themselves before He in the deep of night while all else sleep. This is the path to awakening.
Of course, such an opportunity is by divine invitation, so ask and supplicate that you are given a heavenly invitation to remember, worship and be with your Creator at this holy, sacred and blessed time so that He Almighty will support you with the will and power to rise when the self prefers to sleep.
Become What God Loves Most
Make the best out of any circumstance you find yourself in, surrender with faith, patience and belief, and cultivate the beautiful quality and characteristic of humility.
Not only is this path most pleasing to the Lord of Heavens and Earth, but it is also the best and most effective way to actually move towards circumstances and conditions that are better and more beneficial.
Such is the way and path of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, for humility, piety, love and light were the essence of his character.
Of course, humility and surrender do not mean to not take appropriate action if and when necessary. Rather, we must take action yet from a soul based in selflessness so that ego does not dominate our responses, intentions and outcomes.
Only by truly cultivating a character and state fundamentally based in humility can we transcend evil and not create or increase problems for ourselves and for others as a result of self-centeredness.
Remember, the Universe is a mirror. It reflects to you you, and it operates to show you clearly your choices, state and beliefs while you still have time to improve them.
To your divine and eternal success.