How Can I Feel Loved by God?

Feeling loved by Almighty God is one of the most profound and comforting spiritual experiences any human being can attain. This feeling not only gives meaning and purpose to life but also provides endless strength when facing challenges and difficulties. The Holy Quran, in various ways, illuminates the path to achieving this feeling and understanding divine love. To truly feel this boundless love in our hearts and souls, we must first believe that God is inherently loving and compassionate. The attributes 'Ar-Rahman' (The Most Gracious) and 'Ar-Raheem' (The Most Merciful), which preface every Surah in the Quran, signify the vastness of divine mercy and love. God states in the Quran: "And My mercy encompasses all things." (Al-A'raf, 7:156). This verse alone is sufficient to assure us that divine love and mercy envelop our very existence. The first, and perhaps most crucial, step to feeling loved by God is to move towards Him and strive to earn His pleasure. God explicitly states in the Quran whom He loves and what qualities attract His affection. One key verse in this regard is Surah Al-Imran, verse 31, which says: "Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'" This verse indicates that God’s love for us begins with our adherence to His guidance and that of His Messenger (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). Following the Prophet means acting upon divine commands, observing Islamic ethics, and pursuing the path of human perfection that he demonstrated. When we walk the path of servitude and obedience to God, we are, in essence, showing our love for Him, and this, in turn, attracts reciprocal love from Him. Furthermore, the Holy Quran places great emphasis on 'Ihsan' (excellence in doing good). In several verses, God states that "Allah loves the doers of good." (Al-Baqarah, 2:195; Al-Imran, 3:134; Al-Ma'idah, 5:93). Ihsan is not merely limited to performing good deeds; it signifies performing actions with utmost beauty, sincerity, and perfection, as if one sees God. When we conduct ourselves in our interactions with people and in our worship in the best possible manner, we develop an inner feeling that we have done something pleasing to God, which itself is a source of feeling divine love. This benevolence includes helping the needy, showing kindness to animals, respecting parents and neighbors, and every action that brings about divine pleasure. Repentance (Tawbah) and turning back to God are also primary pathways to feeling divine love. No human is infallible; all of us may slip and commit sins. However, God's mercy is so vast that even after sinning, He opens the door of return and forgiveness to us. God says in the Quran: "Indeed, Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves." (Al-Baqarah, 2:222). This verse indicates that sincere repentance and striving for purity and avoidance of sin not only lead to forgiveness but also make us beloved to God. When we confess our sins, sincerely regret them, and resolve to make amends, it is as if God extends His hands towards us, embracing us once again in His love. Patience (Sabr) and trust (Tawakkul) are two other significant qualities that attract divine love. When faced with life's hardships and difficulties, exercising patience and placing trust in God is a sign of strong faith and confidence in divine wisdom. God loves the patient and those who trust in Him. When we witness God’s assistance and guidance despite our problems, a profound sense develops within us that He never abandons us and is always with us, supporting us. This divine support and aid are the very essence of His love, bringing peace to our hearts and freeing us from anxiety. In summary, feeling loved by God is an active and dynamic experience. This feeling is strengthened through a correct understanding of God and His attributes, adherence to divine commands, performing good deeds with sincerity, continuous repentance and turning towards Him, patience in the face of hardships, and reliance on Him. Each time we take a step on the path of divine pleasure and observe the effects of His mercy and grace in our lives, this feeling deepens—that we are under the protection of His infinite love. This is a spiritual journey that becomes more profound and delightful with every step taken in servitude, bringing lasting peace.