الْوَدُودُ
The Loving One
Al-Wadud
The Loving One
The One who loves His righteous servants deeply and is deeply loved by them in return.
Hûd 11:90
Virtue
Al-Wadud declares that Allah loves His servants greatly and wills that they love Him in turn. In Surah Hud 11:90 Prophet Shu'ayb (peace be upon him) says to his people: 'Indeed, my Lord is Most Merciful, Most Loving (Wadud).' Al-Wadud differs from Ar-Rahim: rahmah is mercy and compassion, wadud is love and attachment. The servant who reflects on this name realizes that their relationship with Allah is not merely a balance of fear and hope but a deep love. They approach those around them with that same love—for Allah loves those who love, and exalts those who endear themselves to His creation.
Related Hadith
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'The Merciful (Ar-Rahman) shows mercy to those who are merciful. Show mercy to those on earth, and the One above the heavens will show mercy to you.'
[Tirmizî, Birr, no. 1924]
