Indeed, authentic hadiths establish that Allah is described as having ghayrah (protective jealousy), a word derived from taghayyur (change). The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in an authentic hadith:
“No one has greater protective jealousy than Allah when His male or female servant commits illicit intercourse.”
He also said:
“No one loves praise more than Allah; for this reason He praised Himself. No one loves an excuse more than Allah; for this reason He sent the messengers and revealed the scriptures. No one has greater protective jealousy than Allah; for this reason He prohibited shameful deeds, both open and concealed.”
He also said:
“Are you amazed at Saʿd’s protective jealousy? I have greater protective jealousy than he does, and Allah has greater protective jealousy than I do.”
(The reply:
The account of Abraham, Allah’s intimate friend, is evidence against them, not in their favour. It is they who oppose Abraham, our Prophet, and the other prophets—may blessings and peace be upon them. For Allah Most High said:
“When the night covered him, he saw a star. He said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set, he said, ‘I do not love those that set.’
“When he saw the moon rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set, he said, ‘Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among those who go astray.’
“When he saw the sun rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord; this is greater.’ But when it set, he said, ‘O my people, I am free of whatever you associate with Allah.
“‘Indeed, I have turned my face towards the One who originated the heavens and the earth, in pure devotion, and I am not one of those who associate partners with Him.’”
Thus, Allah has informed us in His Book that, from the time the star, moon, and sun rose until they set, His intimate friend did not say, “I do not love those that rise, or those that move, or those that change state; nor do I love anyone in whom movements or temporal events occur.” Nor, when the star, sun, and moon set, did he say anything of what the negators say.