How do I know God still loves me?

Doubting God's love is an experience many people face, especially during difficult times or after making mistakes. However, the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explicitly and with infinite tenderness assure us that the love of Allah Almighty for His servants is beyond our imagination and is ever-flowing. Allah is Al-Wadud, meaning the Most Loving and Affectionate. This is an inherent divine attribute, rooted in His very essence, and therefore immutable. He loves His creation and is closer to us than we can ever comprehend. To understand and be assured of this love, we must pay attention to the signs we find within ourselves and in the world around us, and also re-evaluate our own relationship with Him. One of the clearest signs of divine love is Divine Guidance (Hidayah). The mere fact that you are asking this question and seeking its answer is, in itself, a sign of Allah's love and grace. It is He who has placed this desire in your heart to seek a connection with Him. Guidance towards Islam, the Quran, prayer, and every righteous deed you perform are all manifestations of divine guidance. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 257, Allah says: “Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: He leads them from the depths of darkness into light.” This act of leading from darkness into light is indicative of a deep and enduring love. Indeed, if Allah did not love you, this awareness and questioning about the divine would never have ignited in your heart. This is an inner call that originates from the source of divine love, reminding you that He is always with you and shows you the path to salvation. Such guidance is a gift from Him that illuminates our path and helps us achieve perfection. The acceptance of repentance and the forgiveness of sins is a conclusive proof of God's boundless love. Humans are prone to error, and there is no one who does not commit sins. Yet, Allah has always kept the doors of repentance wide open for His servants. He not only loves those who repent but has repeatedly emphasized in the Holy Quran that we should never despair of His mercy. In Surah Az-Zumar, verse 53, He states: “Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'” This verse is an ocean of hope and love, demonstrating that Allah awaits the return of His servant even after the greatest sins, and He loves them. The very ability to repent and feel remorse after a sin is a blessing from Him, for it is He who guides your heart back towards purification. This feeling of shame and the desire to rectify oneself is a sign of living faith in your heart and the love Allah has for you. He never turns away from you unless you completely turn away from Him and move towards wretchedness. Trials and tribulations might sometimes appear as signs of Allah’s distance or disregard, but in many cases, the opposite is true. Allah tests His servants to strengthen their faith, purify them from sins, and elevate their ranks. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “When Allah desires good for someone, He tries him with hardships.” (Bukhari). These trials are like a whetstone that sharpens the diamond of faith. Patience during adversity and reliance upon Allah in difficulties are signs of mutual love; Allah loves His servant whom He tests, and the servant, through patience and reliance, demonstrates their love for Him. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 155, we read: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.” This glad tiding to the patient is a sign of divine grace and love. So, whenever you find yourself in distress and hardship, instead of drifting away from God, try to draw closer to Him, because this suffering can be a way for your sins to be purified and your spiritual ranks to be elevated, and this itself is a sign of the Lord's affection and care. Divine enabling (Tawfeeq) in performing acts of worship and good deeds is another sign. When you find prayer enjoyable, or feel an increased inclination to help others and do good deeds, these are blessings (Tawfeeq) from Allah. Allah never withholds His enabling grace from anyone who desires to draw closer to Him. In Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 54, Allah describes a people whom He loves and who love Him: “O you who have believed, whoever of you reverts from his religion – Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” This verse indicates that divine love is accompanied by righteous deeds and striving in His cause, and the very fact that Allah guides you towards performing these acts is a sign of His love. When your heart inclines towards goodness and you feel lightness and satisfaction in performing righteous deeds, know that this is a divine call inviting you towards Himself, and it originates from nothing but His boundless love. Ultimately, to be assured that Allah loves you, you must also strive to earn His love. Obedience to His commands, abstaining from His prohibitions, constant seeking of forgiveness and repentance, performing good deeds, showing kindness to others, and remembering Him (reciting Quran, supplication, and dhikr) are all ways that not only draw you closer to Allah but also strengthen the feeling of reciprocal love within you. Allah is more merciful than to abandon a servant who takes a step towards Him. He is 'Ash-Shakur', meaning the Most Appreciative; He appreciates even your slightest good deed and attention. He is 'Al-Haleem', meaning the Most Forbearing; He shows patience with your sins to give you a chance to repent. He is 'Al-Ghafur' and 'Ar-Rahim'; He forgives sins and has infinite mercy. Whenever your heart beats for Him and your hands are raised in supplication, know that this call of love is from Him, summoning you towards Himself. So, with hope and certainty in His boundless love, traverse the path of life and never despair of His mercy. Remember that every breath you take, every sunrise you witness, and every peace you feel, is itself a testament to His enduring love and grace.