Among the attributes of Allah Almighty is the attribute of “love,” that He loves His servants and some other things, and similarly dislikes disobedient ones, disbelievers, and some other things. This is also among the divine attributes. In the following lines, for benefit, we mention the “attribute of love of Allah.” Among the things and actions that Allah Almighty does not like is “transgression” and oppression. He does not like those who commit oppression. Accordingly, the statement of Allah Almighty is:
﴿ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ﴾
“Call upon your Lord humbly and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors.”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir Al-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes under this verse:
“‘Dua’ includes both the supplication of need and the supplication of worship. So Allah Almighty has commanded that they call upon Him ﴿تَضَرُّعًا﴾ ‘with humility,’ meaning to implore Allah Almighty for forgiveness earnestly, and worship Him sincerely. ﴿وَخُفْيَةً﴾ ‘Privately,’ meaning not to implore loudly and openly in a way that might cause ostentation, but rather to sigh and cry secretly purely for Allah, the Blessed and Exalted. ﴿إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ﴾ ‘He does not like the transgressors,’ meaning in all matters Allah Almighty does not like those who exceed limits. It is also transgression if a servant asks Allah for things that are not appropriate for him, or if he stops asking altogether, or if he supplicates in an excessively loud voice; all these matters are included in transgression, which is forbidden.”
Elsewhere, the Creator of the earth and sky has said:
﴿وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا ۚ إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ﴾
“And do not cause corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.”
The honorable Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Nasir Al-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
﴿وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ﴾ “And do not cause corruption upon the earth,” meaning do not spread corruption on the earth through your disobedience. ﴿بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا﴾ “After its reformation,” meaning after reforming it through obedience and righteousness, because sins corrupt morals, deeds, and sustenance, as Allah Almighty says:
﴿ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ﴾
“Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea because of what the hands of people have earned.”
Just as righteousness reforms morals, deeds, sustenance, and the conditions of this world and the Hereafter.
At one place, Allah Almighty said about those who cause corruption on earth:
﴿وَابْتَغِ فِيمَا آتَاكَ اللَّهُ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَأَحْسِن كَمَا أَحْسَنَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَلَا تَبْغِ الْفَسَادَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِينَ﴾
“And seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.”
Also He said:
﴿وَإِمَّا تَخَافَنَّ مِن قَوْمٍ خِيَانَةً فَانبِذْ إِلَيْهِمْ عَلَىٰ سَوَاءٍ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْخَائِنِينَ﴾
“And if you fear betrayal from a people, then break off [the treaty] with them in equal terms. Indeed, Allah does not like traitors.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the interpretation of this verse:
“Allah, the Lord of Glory, says: O Prophet, if you have a covenant with someone and you fear that they will betray and break the promise, then you are permitted to break the treaty on equal terms and inform them so that they do not remain hopeful of reconciliation; give them notice a few days in advance. Allah, the Lord of Glory, dislikes treachery. Do not betray even the disbelievers.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
Our master Amir Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, began advancing his armies towards the borders of Rome to attack them suddenly as soon as the truce period ended. Then a sheikh came riding his mount, saying, “Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. Fulfill the promise; excuses are not valid,” because the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:
من كان بينه وبين قوم عهد فلا يشد عقدة ولا يحلها حتى ينقضي آمدها أو ينبذ إليهم على سواء . فرجع معاوية
Sheikh Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it authentic.
“When you make a covenant with a people, do not untie or tie it until the period of truce ends or you notify them that the treaty is broken.” When this reached our master Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, he immediately ordered the army to return. This sheikh was our master Umar ibn Anbasah, may Allah be pleased with him.
