How Can We Attain Closeness to Allah? | Islamic Spirituality Guide

Every Muslim longs to attain closeness to Allah, yet many continue searching for the answer to one question: How can a person attain closeness to Allah?

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us many things through Islam that help us become true servants of Allah. However, every believer desires something even greater—the love of Allah. But how can love exist without a test? Love is a sign of purity, and who is more Pure than Allah?

Therefore, whoever truly wishes to attain closeness to Allah and reach their Beloved must first affirm that Allah is One, believe that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah, and have faith in all the Prophets, the angels, the jinn, and the unseen. A person must also fulfill the fundamental pillars of Islam according to their ability.

They should establish the prayer (Salah), fast during Ramadan, give Zakah if they possess the required wealth, and perform Hajj if they have the means. When a person sincerely performs these acts with the sole intention of pleasing Allah, their heart gradually begins to purify. Slowly, a light begins to emerge within the heart.

As they continue fulfilling these pillars, the desires that had long remained hidden within their heart begin to awaken, and this marks the beginning of their true test. Allah tests them. They may stumble, but they rise again. Despite hardships, they refuse to abandon the path. They are tested repeatedly.

Throughout this journey, they experience grief and pain because they came seeking Allah's love, yet they find themselves facing trials and difficulties. Every person's test is different. This is a journey of faith and certainty. If a person remains steadfast, Allah places His light permanently within their heart.

Many great Sufi saints attained this Divine Light in exactly this way, and they became immortal in history because they erased their own desires for the sake of Allah's pleasure.

Among them are:

They attained closeness to Allah. The path is only one: a person must completely surrender to Allah, place one hundred percent trust in Him, remain steadfast through every trial, become free from every worldly greed, and desire nothing except the love of Allah.