1. Obtaining the Pleasure of Allah
Talha Iqbal

2. The Benefits of Seeking Allah’s Pleasure
Allah will increase your wealth when one gives Zakat or Sadaqah.
The overall health of the believer will be increased.
It will be easier for believers to enter Jannah in the afterlife.
Under Allah’s definition, a successful person is one who becomes closer to Allah.
Allah will be merciful and love his loyal servants.
It is the one achievement in life which will give us spiritual peace and happiness.

3. Know Allah Through His Names
Abu Huraria narrates that the Prophet said, “If Allah loves a person, He calls Gabriel saying, ‘Allah loves so and-so; O Gabriel! Love him.’ Gabriel would love him and make an announcement amongst the inhabitants of the Heaven. ‘Allah loves so-and-so, therefore you should love him also,’ and so all the inhabitants of the Heaven would love him, and then he is granted the pleasure of the people on the earth.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

4. Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)
Allah’s Messenger said: “Whenever some people gather in one of Allah’s houses (mosques) to recite the book of Allah and study it among themselves – then calmness (tranquility) descends upon them, the angels surround them, mercy covers them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him.” (Sahih Muslim)

5. Follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad
The Qur’an states, “Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (3:31)

6. Stay Connected to the Qur’an
Prophet Muhammad said, “That you worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you don’t see him then truly He sees you.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
This is the meaning of the term “IHSAN.”

7. Performing Numerous Voluntary Prayers
Allah has made the five prayers mandatory for us. However, there are many other opportunities in out lives to worship Allah even more.
Allah also says in the Qur’an, “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship me.” (51:56)

8. Forgiveness
Allah loves those who ask for forgiveness after sinning more than those who don’t sin at all. Allah is “The Most Merciful,” “The Most Forgiving.”
Angels are perfect and do not make mistakes. Mankind on the other hand have been given choice. Still, Allah said that mankind is a better creation because they turn to Allah without being forced to do so.

9. Seeking the Knowledge
A believer is in constant search of knowledge, both in the Islamic and Secular fields.
To seek the full benefits of the knowledge, a believer teaches it to other people and acts upon it. Otherwise, the knowledge is left useless.
One must know not only which pleases Allah, but also what displeases Allah or that which is unlawful.

10. Giving Charity
Allah says in the Quran, "Those who spend their wealth by night and day, privately and publicity, verily their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.“ (2:274)
Many people in the world today suffer from poverty. However, Allah knows what is best and puts everyone in their financial status.
Some even say that the poor are a blessing because people then give charity to support them increasing our companionship.

11. Religious Family
The Prophet of Allah has said, “A woman is married for her religion, wealth, or beauty; marry the religious women and you will prosper.” (Sahih Al-Jami)
He also said, “A man will be raised some degrees in Paradise and he will say, ‘For what reason am I receiving this?’ He will be told, ‘Because of your son asking forgiveness for you.’”

12. Stay Away From Bad Influence
The Prophet said: “A good friend and a bad friend are like a perfume-seller and a blacksmith: The perfume-seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance. As for the blacksmith, he might singe your clothes, and at the very least you will breathe in the fumes of the furnace.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
The people we surround ourselves with greatly influence our habits and decisions.
Staying near believers increases companionship and competition to become a better servant.

13. Dua’a (Supplication)
Allah says in the Quran: “And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.” (2:186)
When we get caught up in this world, we think that we do not need Allah’s help or do not seek it enough. All we need to do is ask Allah for help. If Allah doesn’t give us what we ask for in this world, we will receive it in the afterlife as a good deed or a sin taken away.