Hadith Text and Reference

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever loves to meet Allah, then Allah loves to meet him. And whoever dislikes meeting Allah, then Allah dislikes meeting him." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1066, The Book on Jana'iz)

Meaning and Significance

This profound hadith establishes a direct correlation between a servant's spiritual state and divine response. The "meeting" refers to the encounter with Allah at death and in the Hereafter. Loving to meet Allah signifies strong faith, anticipation of divine mercy, and preparation through righteous deeds.

Disliking this meeting indicates weak faith, fear of accountability due to sins, and attachment to worldly life. Allah's reciprocal love or dislike is a manifestation of divine justice - He responds to His servants according to their own spiritual orientation.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam at-Tirmidhi classified this hadith as hasan sahih (good and authentic). Scholars explain that loving to meet Allah comes from: certainty in divine promise, longing for His vision in Paradise, and detachment from worldly attachments.

The early scholar Al-Hasan al-Basri said: "The believer combines between fear and hope - he fears his sins yet hopes in Allah's mercy. The hypocrite has neither genuine fear nor sincere hope." This hadith serves as a spiritual mirror for self-assessment.

Practical Implications

This teaching encourages Muslims to cultivate love for Allah through constant remembrance, obedience, and spiritual purification. It warns against excessive worldly attachment that makes one dread the afterlife.

The scholars advise: increase in good deeds, frequent repentance, studying the descriptions of Paradise, and remembering death regularly. These practices help develop the proper love and anticipation for meeting our Lord.