The key to acquiring the love of AllÄh ta’ala is:
1. Adopting the company of the pious (especially one’s shaykh).
2. Abstaining from sins.
3. Being punctual with one’s ma‘mÅ«lÄt (prescribed practices).
When someone enters the company of his shaykh, his heart is kindled with the Love of AllÄh . However, when he leaves that blessed company, the flame of love is threatened by the gusting winds of the environment around him. If, affected by these winds, a person were to commit a sin, the love of AllÄh ta’ala would be extinguished. It is therefore necessary to safeguard yourself from sins.
Another necessity for keeping the flame of love kindled is fuel, which in this case is the remembrance of AllÄh ta’ala prescribed by one’s shaykh in the form of ma‘mÅ«lÄt. Thus, punctuality in attending the company of one’s shaykh, abstinence from sins and completing one’s ma‘mÅ«lÄt are necessary steps towards securing the Love of AllÄh.
source: http://shaykh.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/acquiring-the-love-of-allah/
