Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah [May Allah have mercy on him] says: “The reasons which engender mahabbah [love] of Allah are ten matters:First: Reciting the Qur’an with reflection, and understanding its meanings and its intent.
Second: Drawing closer to Allah – the Most High – through nawafil [optional deeds], after the faraid [the obligatory deeds].
Third: Doing continuous dhikr [remembrance] of Allah, with the tongue, the heart and the limbs, under all circumstances. His nasib [share] of love [for Allah] will be according to the intensity of his remembrance of Allah.
Fourth: Giving precedence to what Allah loves over the things you love, when being overcome by desires.
Sixth: Witnessing and recognizing the grace, favors and bounties of Allah – both manifest and hidden.
Seventh: Humbling of the heart [inkisar (breaking) of the heart. submitting to Allah] before Him, and this is the most amazing of them all.
Eighth: To be in privacy during the nuzul al-ilahi [when Allah descends every night in the lowest heaven], reciting His book and ending that by seeking forgiveness and repenting to Him.
Ninth: Sitting with the sincere lovers of Allah, reaping the fruits of their speech, and not to speak except when talking is better and that you know it will increase your goodness and benefit others.
Tenth: To distance oneself from anything that comes in between the heart and Allah – the Mighty and Majestic.
Madarij as Salikin 3/17-18
