One group interprets it as the very things He brings about that the servant loves, thus identifying His love with His act of creating. Another group identifies it with His will to bring those things about. We have discussed this at length in “Principles of the Divine Attributes and Decree,” and this is not the place for that discussion.

It is well known that the Quran, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the early generations of the Muslim community establish that Allah loves and is pleased with the obligatory and recommended acts He has commanded, even when they do not occur. They also establish that He may will the existence of entities and actions that He hates and is displeased with, such as sinful disobedience and disbelief. Allah Most High says:

“And Allah does not love corruption.”

And He Most High says:

“He does not approve of disbelief for His servants.”

Our purpose here, however, is simply to discuss the servants’ love for their God.

It has become clear that this is the foundation of the deeds of faith. No disagreement concerning this is known among the early generations of the Muslim community—the Companions and those who followed them in goodness. They would stir this love through the forms of worship Allah prescribed for awakening it, such as knowledge grounded in faith and listening to the Quran. He Most High says:

“And thus We have revealed to you a spirit by Our command. You did not know what the Book was, nor faith.”

And so on to the end of the surah.