How to seek the Pleasure of Allah You Must have Certainty of Faith and Total Reliance on Allah

Books of Seerah recount that upon his return from his `night journey and ascension to the highest heavens (Al-Israa' wa-l-Mi'raj), the Prophet informed the disbelievers of Qur'aish about the experience he had had that night. They did not believe him and rushed to Abu Bakr, hoping that once they told him of this 'extraordinary' story, he would desist from following and supporting the Prophet. Abu Bakr simply said to them, "If he has told you this, then he has spoken the truth". Also when allah sent down the verse: "The Romans have been defeated in the nearer land (Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Palestine), and they, after their defeat, will soon be victorious, in a few years." [Surah Ar-Rum (30), Ayat 2-4.] The unbeleivers again rushed to Abu Bakr and said, "Your friend [meaning the Prophet ] claims that the Romans will be defeated." Abu Bakr said, "He has spoken the truth." He even made a bet with them that this prophecy would be fulfilled. This was before betting was prohibited by Islam.

Abu Bakr's reaction is an example of how one acts who is certain of what he or she believes in, and this is a characteristic needed to earn the love of Allah. To know that Allah and his prophet's words are true: Allah's promise is the truth, and whose words can be truer than those of Allah? "Allah [has made] His promise, and Allah fails not His promise." [Surah Ar-Rum (30), Ayah 6.] It is the certainty that whatever the Prophet said is the absolute truth. Indeed, this is the certainty that we lack. Certainty that Allah ( SWT ) defends those who have faith. Certainty that this religion will inevitably prevail. Certainty that there is ease after hardship. Certainty that trials and tribulations precede victory. Certainty that victory will be granted to those truthful and patient servants who strive hard for Allah's sake, no matter how small their number may be. Certainty that no-one gives or causes himself or anyone else harm, good, life, death or resurrection except Allah.

Another example of certainty of faith is when The faithful and the hypocrites stood shoulder to shoulder in the Battle of the Trench (Al-Khandaq) and together they heard the prophecy of the Prophet that the Muslims would conquer the Persian and Roman empires. The hypocrites did not believe this promise, while the faithful were certain that it was true and took it for granted that it would be fulfilled. The hypocrites abandoned the faithful, saying: "Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusions!" Whereas the true believers said: "This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us, and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth." [Surah Al-Ahzaab (33), Ayah 22.] Unfortunately many of the Muslims today are as the hipocrits of then were due to their lack of certainty of faith

People who lack certainty of faith also lack reliance on Allah People who lack certainty of faith also lack reliance on Allah. These two provisions work hand in hands and both are needed to earn Allahs love "And whoever puts his, trust in Allah, sufficient is [Allah] for him." [Surah At-Talaq (65), Ayah 3.] Is not Allah sufficient for His servant?" [Surah Az-Zumar (39), Ayah 36.] "But if they turn away, say, `Allah is sufficient for me. There is no god but He. In Him do I put my trust, and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne." [Surah At-Taubah (9), Ayah 129.] "O Prophet! Allah is sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you." [Surah Al-Anfal (8), Ayah 64.] “So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite. I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He has grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the straight Path (the truth)." [Surah Hud (11), Ayat 55-56.]

Once certainty is firmly rooted in the heart, it bears the fruit of true and sincere reliance on Allah. Books of Seerah inform us that upon the Sahabah's return from the Battle of Uhud, The Prophet called them to arms. He instructed Biial to tell the people that the Messenger of Allah instructed them to seek their enemies and that only those who had fought the previous day should join in the fight. Usaid bin Hudhair, who had sustained nine wounds the previous day, obeyed the orders promptly and without the slightest hesitation or rest to nurse his wounds. Forty injured fighters from the tribe of Banu Salamah joined the Prophet seeking the enemy who had only the previous day defeated Prophet in Battle. They set forth, weaker and fewer than they had been the day before, armed only with faith in Allah and complete reliance on Him. The Qur'an records this incident thus "Those who answered [the call of] Allah and the Messenger, even after being wounded; for those of them who did good deeds and feared Allah, there is a great reward. Those unto whom the people said, 'Verily, the people have mustered against you, so fear them.' But this [only] increased their faith, and they said, 'Sufficient is Allah for us, and an Excellent Guardian is He.' So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah, while no evil had touched them; and they followed the good pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the Lord of great bounty." [Surah Ale-Imran (3), Ayat 172-174.]

An example of uncertainty of faith and unreliance on Allah can be found with the children of Israel when Allah told them to enter into the town and fight the people in it. Their response was: O Moses! We shall never enter it (this Holy Land) as long as they are there. So go you and your Lord and fight you two, while we sit here." [Surah Al-Ma'idah (5), Ayah 24 They refused to fight, putting forward the following excuse: O Moses! In it (this Holy Land) are a people of great strength, and we shall never enter it until they leave it." [Surah Al-Ma'idah (5), Ayah 22.] They declined to enter the Holy Land (Palestine) that Allah had assigned to them They abandoned true reliance on Allah and were consequently denied victory and were apportioned humiliation in this life and punishment in the Hereafter, .

Indeed, when reliance upon Allah is lacking, everything else will be lacking, and nothing will remain but humiliation and lowliness in this life and the Hereafter. When reliance upon Allah is missing, we become overwhelmed by Satan who then subjugates us to his control, When you recite the Qur'an, seek refuge with Allah from Satan the rejected. Surely he has no power over those who believe and who put their trust in their Lord." [Surah An-Nahl (16), Ayat 98-99.] "His (Satan's) power is only over those who obey and follow him, and those who join partners with Allah." [Surah An-Nahl (16), Ayah 100.] "It is only Satan who frightens his awliyyaa' (those who obey and follow him); so fear them not but fear Me, if you are believers." [Surah Ale- Imran (3), Ayah 174.]

Allah only loves those who trust in him: Allah loves those who put their trust in Him." [Surah Ale-Imran (3), Ayah 159.] "[True] believers are those whose hearts tremble when [the Name of] Allah is mentioned, and when His verses are recited to them it increases their faith, and who put their trust in their Lord." [Surah Al-Anfal (8), Ayah 2.] "And put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed." [Surah Al- Ma'idah (5), Ayah 23.] Saeed bin Jubair said, "Reliance upon Allah is total faith." Wahb bin Munabbih said, "Reliance upon Allah represents the utmost degree [of faith]."

So thus, You want to earn the pleasure of allah – Work on the following: Develop your certainty of faith and test it by living your life obeying Allah and his messenger without question Learn to trust and rely solely upon Allah – know that he alone is the one who can help you, protect you and change the condition of yourself Without these two provision, attaining the love of Allah will never come to be