PEOPLE are always eager to know the path to Allah. In other words, they are keen to know how to win Allah's approval and avoid His displeasure and wrath. The Holy Qur'an abound with injunctions, guidelines, instances and deeds that will undoubtedly lead you to the path of Allah. In this article, I will shed some light on the things and deeds that lead people to the path of Allah as revealed in the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah. 1- Love of the Prophet: This love also makes you follow the life example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in all his dealings and manners. Also this love is an indication of the love of Allah as stated in the Holy Qur'an, “Say: “If you do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Say: “Obey Allah and His Messenger. But if they turn back, Allah loves not those who reject Faith.” (Qur'an, 3:31-32) 2- Spending your money for the sake of Allah: You have to spend as much money as you can in charitable works and helping the needy to win Allah's pleasure because Allah says, “Allah has purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise).” (Qur'an, 9:111) 3- Forgiving others: This is another way to win Allah's approval because Allah favors those who forgive other people because forgiveness raises man to the level of angels, “Let them forgive and overlook, do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur'an, 24:22) 4- Avoiding the evils of human nature: Avoiding human vices such as envy, spying, gossip and backbiting will undoubtedly take man one step closer to the path of Allah, for Allah warns people against such evils, “O you who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would abhor it...But fear Allah. For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” (Qur'an, 49:120) 5- Following the example of those who won Allah's approval: Following the example of the former Prophets (and on top of them Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), pious predecessors and martyrs will also lead us to the path of Allah, and this is mentioned in the very first chapter of the Qur'an, “Guide us to the Straight Way. The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians).” (Qur'an, 1:6-7) __
