Those Who Love Allah vs. Those Who Allah Loves
The muḥibbūn (lovers) refer to those who love Allāh, so He in turn loved them. And the maḥbūbūn (beloveds) refer to those whom Allāh loved, so in turn they loved Him. Regarding the muḥibbūn, creation recognizes them by the permission of Allāh. Regarding the maḥbūbūn, creation might recognize them, but they might not recognize them also. This is because they are special people to Allāh, and He concealed them from creation out of His Special Love for them.
﴾O believers! Whoever among you abandons their faith, Allāh will replace them with others who love Him and are loved by Him. They will be humble with the believers but firm towards the disbelievers, …struggling in the Way of Allāh; fearing no blame from anyone. This is the favour of Allāh. He grants it to whoever He wills. And Allāh is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing. Your only guardians are Allāh, His Messenger, and fellow believers—who establish prayer and pay zakāt with humility. Whoever allies themselves with Allāh, His Messenger, and fellow believers, then it is certainly Allāh’s party that will prevail﴿ – Mā’ida 5:54-56
﴾Say, [O Prophet,] “If you [sincerely] love Allāh, then follow me; Allāh will love you and forgive your sins. For Allāh is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”﴿ – Al-Imrān 3:31
From The Friday Lessons at Al-Azhar Vol 1
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