"There are three whom Allah loves and three whom Allah hates. As for those whom Allah loves: Then a man who came to a people and asked them by Allah, and he did not ask them due to any relation between him and them, but they did not give him. So a man stayed behind them and gave him secretly, none knew about what he gave except Allah and the one he gave. And, a group of people who traveled the night until when sleep became more beloved to them than all the things that equal it and they lay their heads down, but a man stoop up humbling himself to Me and reciting My Ayat. And a man who was in a small expedition and met the enemy and they were vanquished, yet he faced them until he was killed or victory was granted to him. And the three whom Allah hates are, the old man who commits adultery, the arrogant poor man, and the oppressive rich man." Another chain reports a similar narration.
Hadith Commentary: The Beloved and Hated Servants
This profound narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2568) provides clear guidance on the qualities that earn divine love and wrath. The tradition divides humanity into two distinct categories based on their spiritual states and moral conduct.
The Three Whom Allah Loves
The Secret Giver: This individual demonstrates pure sincerity (ikhlas) by giving charity without seeking recognition from creation. His act remains between him and Allah alone, fulfilling the condition of righteous deeds being performed solely for the Divine Countenance.
The Night Worshipper: Despite physical exhaustion and the natural inclination toward sleep, this servant chooses to stand in prayer and recite Allah's verses. His struggle against the nafs (lower self) exemplifies true spiritual discipline and love for communion with the Creator.
The Steadfast Warrior: When facing overwhelming odds in battle, this believer remains firm in his commitment to truth. His perseverance until martyrdom or victory demonstrates complete tawakkul (reliance on Allah) and willingness to sacrifice everything for divine pleasure.
The Three Whom Allah Hates
The Adulterous Elder: An old person committing fornication combines two evils: the major sin of zina and the additional disgrace of committing such acts after reaching an age where wisdom and restraint should prevail. This shows complete disregard for moral boundaries.
The Arrogant Poor Man: Poverty should ideally cultivate humility before Allah, but this individual instead develops kibr (arrogance). His condition contradicts the spiritual purpose of trials and demonstrates ingratitude for divine decree.
The Oppressive Rich Man: Wealth is a divine trust that should cultivate gratitude and generosity. Instead, this person uses his resources for dhulm (oppression), perverting Allah's blessings into instruments of harm against His creation.
Spiritual Lessons
This hadith from "Chapters on the description of Paradise" in Jami' at-Tirmidhi teaches that divine love is earned through sincerity, spiritual discipline, and steadfastness, while divine wrath is incurred through moral corruption, arrogance, and oppression - regardless of one's age or social status.