ONE of the recurring themes in the Holy Quran that may stimulate any reader’s imagination is the description of those who God ‘loves’ (uhibbu) and those He does not love (la uhibbu). There are numerous descriptions of both kinds, spread throughout the Quran. In this write-up, we will try to get a grasp of these two categories. Let us first describe the selective characteristics of those whom God loves and then look at those who attract God’s disapproval or dislike. Thereafter, some implications and lessons learnt from both categories will be shared.

On close checking of the Quranic dictionary (Mo’jam) for the verb ‘yuhibbu’ (likes or loves), we come to the conclusion that the Quran mentions this verb with the addition of Allah as subject (wallahu yuhibbu) around 12 times. Out of these, only five instances are mentioned here for the sake of brevity and discussion. Allah says He loves those who are doers of good (mohsineen, 2:195); loves those who act equitably (muqsiteen, 60:8); those who are patient (sabirin, 2:153); pious or virtuous (muttaqeen, 2:2); and who keep themselves pure and clean (mutatahhireen, 2:222).

On the other hand, there are around 21 verses........

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