❀ Seven Best Ways to Attain Nearness to Allah ❀
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam (Hafizahullah)
The Qur'an and Hadith present various means to attain nearness to Allah ﷻ. Whoever truly seeks the closeness of their Creator must adopt the following essential practices:
Allah Almighty says:
إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ
(Surah Al-Hujurat: 13)
"Indeed, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you."
Taqwa means refraining from all acts of disobedience and strictly following all of Allah's commandments. A pious person naturally draws closer to Allah.
Salah and Dhikr are powerful tools to gain Allah’s nearness.
Allah says:
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 152)
"So remember Me, and I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and do not be ungrateful."
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary acts until I love him."
(Sahih Bukhari: 6502)
This Hadith makes it clear that along with obligatory acts, one must be consistent in voluntary (nafl) worship as well.
Duʿāʾ strengthens one's connection with Allah.
Allah says:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 186)
"And when My servants ask you about Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me."
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Call upon Allah while being certain of a response."
(Tirmidhi: 3479)
This proves that sincere and hopeful supplication is a strong means of attaining Allah’s closeness.
The Qur'an is the most powerful source of nearness to Allah.
Allah says:
هَٰذَا بَيَانٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
(Surah Aal ʿImran: 138)
"This is a clear statement for mankind, a guidance, and an admonition for the righteous."
Whoever recites and implements the Qur'an in their life gains closeness to Allah.
In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah says:
"The most beloved actions by which My servant draws near to Me are the obligatory ones, and he continues to draw near with voluntary acts until I love him."
(Sahih Bukhari: 6502)
Righteous deeds and giving charity are beloved to Allah, and those who perform them gain His nearness and pleasure.
Allah says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 153)
"Indeed, Allah is with the patient."
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The affair of the believer is amazing. If good befalls him, he is grateful—and that is better for him. If hardship strikes, he is patient—and that is better for him."
(Sahih Muslim: 2999)
Thus, both patience and gratitude are beloved traits that lead to divine closeness.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The most complete believer in faith is the one with the best character."
(Tirmidhi: 1162)
Allah says:
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
(Surah Al-Furqan: 63)
"The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them, they respond with peace."
Those who live with humility and possess good manners are loved by Allah and brought closer to Him.
To attain the closeness of Allah, one must adopt the following attributes:
✔ Taqwa (God-consciousness)
✔ Salah and Remembrance of Allah
✔ Supplication with Humility
✔ Recitation and Practice of the Qur'an
✔ Righteous Deeds and Charity
✔ Patience and Gratitude
✔ Good Character and Humility
When a servant adopts these qualities, Allah begins to love him and grants him closeness. This closeness is the greatest honor a believer can achieve in this world and the next.
May Allah grant us His nearness and love. Āmīn!
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam (Hafizahullah)❖ Methods to Attain the Closeness of Allah
The Qur'an and Hadith present various means to attain nearness to Allah ﷻ. Whoever truly seeks the closeness of their Creator must adopt the following essential practices:
➊ Taqwa (Adopting Piety and God-Consciousness)
Allah Almighty says:
إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ
(Surah Al-Hujurat: 13)
"Indeed, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you."
Taqwa means refraining from all acts of disobedience and strictly following all of Allah's commandments. A pious person naturally draws closer to Allah.
➋ Salah and Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr)
Salah and Dhikr are powerful tools to gain Allah’s nearness.
Allah says:
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 152)
"So remember Me, and I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and do not be ungrateful."
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary acts until I love him."
(Sahih Bukhari: 6502)
This Hadith makes it clear that along with obligatory acts, one must be consistent in voluntary (nafl) worship as well.
➌ Supplication (Duʿāʾ) and Humility
Duʿāʾ strengthens one's connection with Allah.
Allah says:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 186)
"And when My servants ask you about Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me."
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Call upon Allah while being certain of a response."
(Tirmidhi: 3479)
This proves that sincere and hopeful supplication is a strong means of attaining Allah’s closeness.
➍ Recitation and Practice of the Qur'an
The Qur'an is the most powerful source of nearness to Allah.
Allah says:
هَٰذَا بَيَانٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
(Surah Aal ʿImran: 138)
"This is a clear statement for mankind, a guidance, and an admonition for the righteous."
Whoever recites and implements the Qur'an in their life gains closeness to Allah.
➎ Righteous Deeds and Charity
In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah says:
"The most beloved actions by which My servant draws near to Me are the obligatory ones, and he continues to draw near with voluntary acts until I love him."
(Sahih Bukhari: 6502)
Righteous deeds and giving charity are beloved to Allah, and those who perform them gain His nearness and pleasure.
➏ Patience (Ṣabr) and Gratitude (Shukr)
Allah says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 153)
"Indeed, Allah is with the patient."
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The affair of the believer is amazing. If good befalls him, he is grateful—and that is better for him. If hardship strikes, he is patient—and that is better for him."
(Sahih Muslim: 2999)
Thus, both patience and gratitude are beloved traits that lead to divine closeness.
➐ Good Character and Humility
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The most complete believer in faith is the one with the best character."
(Tirmidhi: 1162)
Allah says:
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
(Surah Al-Furqan: 63)
"The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them, they respond with peace."
Those who live with humility and possess good manners are loved by Allah and brought closer to Him.
Conclusion
To attain the closeness of Allah, one must adopt the following attributes:
✔ Taqwa (God-consciousness)
✔ Salah and Remembrance of Allah
✔ Supplication with Humility
✔ Recitation and Practice of the Qur'an
✔ Righteous Deeds and Charity
✔ Patience and Gratitude
✔ Good Character and Humility
When a servant adopts these qualities, Allah begins to love him and grants him closeness. This closeness is the greatest honor a believer can achieve in this world and the next.
May Allah grant us His nearness and love. Āmīn!
