Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
It is not correct to use the expression “Allah is love” when referring to Allah تعالى, and a Muslim should not describe Allah with it, because it is not among the established Names or Attributes of Allah تعالى. It is also an expression that may convey incorrect meanings and has become known as a slogan associated with Christian theology. As for Allah’s love, it is established in the Qur’an and Sunnah and is one of His Attributes. However, it is not a general love for all creation. Rather, Allah loves whom He wills among His servants who possess faith, obedience, and the qualities that He loves.
One reason this expression is incorrect is that “Allah is love” is not among the Beautiful Names established in the Qur’an or Sunnah, so it should not be used as a Name or Attribute of Allah تعالى.
Allah تعالى says:
“And to Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them.” [Al-A'raf 7:180]
Furthermore, this expression has become widespread among Christians as a slogan expressing their creed. Therefore, a Muslim should not use it as a description of Allah تعالى, particularly if he intends the meaning upon which their theology is based.
Imitating other religions in their distinctive slogans and erroneous beliefs is prohibited.
Some people may mean by saying “Allah is love” that Allah loves all of His creation, or that He created them because of His love for them. This meaning is not correct without qualification.
Allah تعالى created all creation, among them believers and disbelievers, obedient people and sinners. He has informed us that He does not love certain people because of their disbelief, wrongdoing, and corruption.
Allah تعالى says:
“Indeed, Allah does not love the disbelievers.” [Aal Imran 3:32]
He سبحانه وتعالى also says:
“And Allah does not love the wrongdoers.” [Aal Imran 3:57]
And He says:
“And Allah does not love the corrupters.” [Al-Ma'idah 5:64]
And He says:
“Indeed, Allah does not love the treacherous.” [Al-Anfal 8:58]
Therefore, it is not correct to say that Allah تعالى loves all people in the same sense, or that His love encompasses the disbeliever, believer, obedient person, and sinner equally.
As for Allah’s love, it is established by the texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah, and it is one of the Attributes with which Allah has described Himself.
Allah تعالى says:
“Indeed, Allah loves those who constantly repent and loves those who purify themselves.” [Al-Baqarah 2:222]
He سبحانه وتعالى says:
“Indeed, Allah loves the righteous.” [Aal Imran 3:76]
And He says:
“And Allah loves the doers of good.” [Aal Imran 3:134]
And:
“Indeed, Allah loves those who rely upon Him.” [Aal Imran 3:159]
And:
“Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” [Al-Ma'idah 5:42]
And Allah تعالى says:
“He loves them and they love Him.” [Al-Ma'idah 5:54]
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to ask Allah for His love. Among his supplications was:
“O Allah, I ask You for Your love.”
Thus, Allah’s love for His believing servants is a real and established matter, and it is among the greatest blessings that a believer seeks to attain.
The Qur’an has explained the qualities of those whom Allah loves so that Muslims may strive to embody them.
Allah loves:
Conversely, Allah تعالى has informed us that He does not love the disbelievers, wrongdoers, corrupters, transgressors, arrogant people, treacherous people, those who are excessive, and others characterized by these qualities.
Therefore, the believer should not merely speak about Allah’s love; rather, he should strive to attain Allah’s love through obedience, faith, excellence, and repentance.
A Muslim should not view his relationship with Allah تعالى solely from the perspective of love while neglecting fear and hope.
Sound servitude to Allah is based on the combination of love, fear, and hope.
Love drives the servant toward Allah and obedience to Him; fear prevents him from daring to disobey Him; and hope encourages him to have a good opinion of Allah and prevents him from despairing of His mercy.
In this way, the Muslim’s worship remains balanced, so that one aspect does not overwhelm the others and lead to deviation or heedlessness.
It is not correct to describe Allah تعالى with the expression “Allah is love,” because this wording is not among the established Names or Attributes of Allah, it may convey misleading meanings, and it has become known as a slogan associated with Christian theology.
As for Allah’s love, it is established in the Qur’an and Sunnah and is a real Attribute befitting His majesty. Allah تعالى loves among His believing servants those who constantly repent, are righteous, do good, rely upon Him, act justly, and possess the other qualities that He loves.
Therefore, it is preferable to say: “Allah تعالى loves those who constantly repent, the righteous, and those who do good,” or “We ask Allah to grant us His love,” rather than using the expression “Allah is love.”
And Allah knows best.