A Principle Regarding the Movement of the Hearts...

Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahUllah) said:
"...and it is essential to point out a principle regarding the movement of the hearts to Allah so that they become firmly tied to Him, and their blemishes become reduced - or even completely removed - with the Will and Power of Allah.

So, we say:
Know that there are three things that push the hearts towards Allah, and they are love, fear, and hope. The strongest of these three is love, and it is something that is sought after in and of itself, since it is something that is desired both in this world and the next, as opposed to fear, which disappears in the Hereafter. Allah Said: {"No doubt! Verily, as for the awliya' of Allah, they will not have any fear, nor will they grieve."} [Yunus; 62] And the whole point of having fear is that it prevents one from deviating from the path he is on. Love puts the slave on the path to his Beloved, and the speed and strength of his journey to Him is in accordance with how strong or weak this love for Him is. At the same time, fear prevents him from deviating from this path to his Beloved, while hope serves as his leader and guide on this path.

So, this is a great principle that every servant must pay close attention to, as he will not attain true servitude without it, and it is an obligation on everyone to serve Allah, and none other than Him.

If it is said that the slave does not always have the love that will push him to seek out his Beloved - in such a case, what can push and move the hearts? In such a case, we say that the hearts can be moved by two things:

• Constant remembrance of the Beloved, since constantly remembering Him attaches the heart to Him. Because of this, Allah commanded us to remember Him in abundance. He Said: {"O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance, and glorify His praises in the morning and afternoon."} [al-Ahzab; 41-42]

• Realizing His graces and blessings upon you, as He Said: {"So, remember the graces from Allah so that you may be successful."} [al-A'raf; 69], and: {"And whatever of blessings and good things you have, they are from Allah."} [an-Nahl; 53] and: {"...and has completed and perfected His graces upon you, both apparent and hidden..."} [Luqman; 20] and: {"...and if you were to try to count the blessings of Allah, you will never be able to count them."} [Ibrahim; 34]

So, if the slave remembers what Allah has bestowed upon him, such as laying out the sky and the Earth and the plants and animals that are on it, as well as the inner blessings that He has provided him with, such as faith, etc., this will no doubt serve as a motivating factor. Such is also the case with fear, as the heart is moved and pushed upon discovering the verses containing the threats of punishment, prohibition and discouragement from evil, being taken to account, etc. Such is also the case with hope, as the heart is moved and pushed upon realizing His Generosity, gentleness, and Mercy..."

[Majmu' al-Fatawa; 1/109-110]