FIRST WORD Does Allah love me? Allah has explained in nine verses of the Qur’an the characteristics that He sees and admires in people. Whoever embodies these nine principles of love should know without a doubt that Allah loves them. The Creator’s principles of love, which erase every fear, are as follows: Fear of Allah, Kindness, Repentance for sins, Inner and outer purity, Patience, Justice, Trust in Allah, Service in the path of Allah, and Love for Allah and His Messenger. Obligatory acts of worship in Islam, such as performing prayers, fasting, pilgrimage, giving zakat, and so on, are mandatory acts of worship between Allah and His servant. Allah’s principles of love are not related to these obligatory acts; rather, these principles of love concern the organization of personal relationships. When the nine principles of Allah’s love become firmly established in a person, that person will become a perfect and exemplary human being. In this world, everyone desires love and peace, but without acquiring Allah’s principles of love and distancing oneself from the attitudes and behaviors that Allah does not love, as shown in the second part of this book, true love and peace cannot be achieved. For example, in Western societies with the highest incomes, the use of antidepressants, regular visits to psychologists by many people, the prevalence of loneliness and suicides, and various addictive habits, especially alcohol and drugs, are some indicators of individual and societal unhappiness. Learning and applying Allah’s principles of love, and staying away from attitudes and behaviors that He does not love, is a true solution that will enable a person with a chaotic mind and sociology to live their worldly and afterlife with security and happiness. Everyone who believes in Allah and is interested in His principles deserves a better life. The nine principles of love that Allah sees and 3 appreciates in people are golden principles that ensure material and spiritual integrity within a person. No matter what happens to a person in this world of trials, as long as they remain committed to the principles of love and increase their devotion to Allah, the outcome will always be in their favor. The principles of love are like nine lifebuoys thrown by the Creator to people who have fallen into a stormy sea. Those who use their willpower and increase their efforts to hold on to these lifebuoys of love will, by Allah’s word, find happiness in both this world and the hereafter through their connection with the Creator. These principles are essential commands for organizing our individual lives. Life is short, and the afterlife is eternal. Therefore, we must urgently make these divine principles our guide in life so that we may gain Allah’s approval and attain Paradise. M. Talât Uzunyaylalı "Theologian Author"
