The profound spiritual yearning of the pious for Allah's presence is a testament to their deep love and devotion. This longing, known as'shawq,' arises from a genuine love for Allah and is a high level of spiritual attainment. Imam Ibn Rajab Hambali explains that this intense desire stems from a deep and strong love for Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself prayed for this elevated state, asking Allah for the joy of His company and the eagerness to be in His presence (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 18325).
The Path to Yearning
To achieve this yearning, the first requirement is to know Allah, a concept known as'ma'rifa.' When a person's insight expands, they can see Allah's blessings even in the midst of danger. While death may be a source of fear for ordinary people, for those deeply in love with Allah, it is a joyous occasion. Hazrat Bilal (ra), when on his deathbed, expressed immense joy at the prospect of meeting his loved ones, including the Prophet and his companions (Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa Nihayah, 7/103, Darul Hijr, Cairo, 1997).
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim describes this yearning as the fruit of love. Through it, a believer finds contentment in remembering their Sustainer and experiences profound peace. This yearning is so intense that a believer's heart does not find rest until they behold Allah in Paradise. The life of Prophet Yusuf (as) exemplifies this yearning. Despite being thrown into a well and imprisoned on false charges, he never sought escape but yearned for Allah's presence when he attained kingship and reunited with his family (Surah Yusuf, Ayah: 101).
Seeking Solitude
Allah's lovers, even when among people, prefer solitude to converse with Allah. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah would often retreat to the desert for private supplication. Prophet Isa (as) advised his disciples to speak more with Allah and less with people, suggesting they seek solitude to remember and supplicate to Him (Ibn al-Qayyim, Madarijus Salikin, 3/94, Darul Kitab Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1996).
The life of a believer is a continuous competition in worship. They view the world merely as a means to gather provisions for the Hereafter, striving to fulfill Allah's promise, 'Send forth for yourselves provision (of good deeds) for the life to come, and fear Allah, and know that you will meet Him. And give glad tidings to the believers' (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah: 223). Ibn al-Qayyim (rah) notes that for a worshipper, there is no rest except in the cool shade of Paradise, and for a lover, there is no peace except in beholding Allah in Paradise (Ibn al-Qayyim, Al-Fawaid, 1/42, Darul Kutubil Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1973).
