Kayfa Nuhibb Allah wa Nashtaq Ilayh
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- Iqra' Foundation for Publishing, Distribution and Translation
Kayfa Nuhibb Allah wa Nashtaq Ilayh (How We Love Allah and Yearn for Him) is a spiritual guide authored by the contemporary Egyptian writer Magdi al-Hilali, focusing on the cultivation of divine love (mahabba) and longing (shawq) for God in the believer's heart .
Publication and Overview
The first edition of the work was published in Cairo in 1428 AH (2007 CE) by Mu’assasat Iqra’ lil-Nashr wa-al-Tawzi‘ wa-al-Tarjamah . The book was also made accessible through the author's educational initiative and website, al-Iman Awwalan ("Faith First") .
In this treatise, al-Hilali addresses the interior spiritual life, explaining how love functions as a core interpersonal and devotional state (mu‘amala qalbiyya) . He observes that while believers inherently profess love for God, everyday attachments to wealth, spouses, children, and oneself often compete for dominance in the heart . Citing the Quranic description of true believers having greater love for God ( وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا للهِ , "And those who believe are stronger in love for Allah" [Al-Baqarah: 165]) and the prophetic tradition on tasting the sweetness of faith, the work aims to help readers prioritize divine love above all competing worldly desires .
Themes and Methodology
Knowledge as the Foundation of Love
Al-Hilali posits that one's relationship with God is determined by the depth of one's knowledge (ma‘rifa) of Him . Drawing on classical scholars such as Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali and Ibn Taymiyya, he asserts that genuine knowledge of God's majesty and benevolent attributes directly fosters awe, intimacy (uns), and longing to meet Him . The author stresses that effective knowledge must engage both the intellect and the heart simultaneously to translate into enduring spiritual resolve and upright conduct .
The Balance of Servitude
In the book's introductory discussion on servitude (‘ubudiyya), al-Hilali emphasizes that sound Islamic worship rests equally upon three integral pillars: love (mahabba), fear (khawf), and hope (raja') . He warns against isolating divine love from fear and hope, noting historical theological pitfalls such as excessive fear leading to extremist tendencies, exclusive hope engendering antinomianism or neglect of duty, and unchecked claims of love without reverence producing delusions and disregard for divine commandments . True love is authenticated through adherence to the Prophet's ﷺ Sunnah and honoring sacred limits .
Fruits and Practical Means
The book details both the spiritual fruits of love and actionable steps to instill it:
- Spiritual Fruits: Foremost among the effects of divine love is content acceptance of God's decree (al-rida bi-l-qada'), recognizing that tribulations serve to purify the soul and redirect attention from the ephemeral world toward the hereafter, while the withholding or granting of provision is guided by God's wisdom and compassion .
- Practical Actions: To establish love firmly, the author recommends regular reflection on the Quran and creation, enumerating divine blessings, intimate supplication (munajat), offering prostrations of gratitude (sujud al-shukr), visiting those enduring hardship to cultivate perspective, and actively inspiring others to love God .
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