GOD IS LOVE

We hear that phrase all the time: God is Love. And there is a great deal of truth in the statement. However, sometimes people construe it to mean that God loves everyone and everything. That’s wishful thinking. And while it’s a lovely sentiment, it can be dangerous and lull one into a false sense of security: If God loves everyone, then He must love me. Therefore, I don’t have to do anything. I’m saved.

When you look up “love” in the Quran, you actually find more places where God tells us clearly what He does NOT love. This doesn’t negate the statement “God is Love,” but rather it strengthens it. For God loves us enough to be very clear in what we should and should not do with our lives; to give us the guidance to correct our mistakes and stay on the right path; to truly earn God’s love.

Simplified, here’s what God does not love:

GOD does not love the aggressors.
GOD does not love the disbelievers.
GOD does not love the unjust.
GOD does not love any betrayer, guilty.
He does not love the wasters.

He does not love the gluttons.
He does not love the transgressors.
GOD does not love any betrayer, unappreciative.
GOD does not love those who are arrogant.
GOD does not love the corruptors.
He does not love the disbelievers.
He does not love the unjust.
GOD does not love those who are boastful, proud.

It’s a pretty complete list. Those are common human characteristics that we need to strive to overcome and avoid.

Of course, there are many people that God loves:

GOD loves the charitable.
GOD loves the repenters, and He loves those who are clean.
GOD loves the righteous.
GOD loves the steadfast.
GOD loves the good doers.
GOD loves those who trust in Him.
GOD loves those who are benevolent.

GOD loves those who are equitable.
GOD loves those who are just.
GOD loves those who fight in His cause united in one column, like the bricks in one wall.

So we can easily see the things to strive for—being fair and kind, being charitable and righteous, and trusting in God. If we make the effort, God will help and support us. He tells us in 5:54 and 9:108: GOD loves those who purify themselves. And He says in 19:96:  Surely, those who believe and lead a righteous life, the Most Gracious will shower them with love.

The following verses are specifically addressed to Moses, but they apply to each one of us and are important to remember. ….I showered you with love from Me, and I had you made before My watchful eye. I have made you just for Me.…Do not be afraid, for I will be with you, listening and watching. (20:39, 41, 46)

We don’t want to be complacent and assume that we have God’s love, but we don’t need to be afraid that we can never receive that love. In 3:31, the messenger is told:  Proclaim: “If you love GOD, you should follow me.” GOD will then love you, and forgive your sins. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

In His incredible mercy, He gives us chance after chance to repent and reform and lead a righteous life. God really IS Love.

Lydia