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A beautiful hadith shows us just how deeply Allah’s love reaches.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explained that when Allah loves a person, He calls the angel Jibreel and says, "O Jibreel, I love this person, so you should love this person also."

The Creator of everything that exists singles you out by name to the leader of the angels, Jibreel.

The hadith continues, and Jibreel then announces to all the angels in heaven: "Allah loves this person, so love this person."

Consequently, all the inhabitants of the heavens love that person too.

We have discussed the immense role that the unseen plays in our everyday lives.

This manifests in countless ways related to our discussion, but the effects are also innumerable.

This spiritual chain reaction reminds us that actual value doesn’t originate with human praise or status, but from the Divine.

Real worth is assigned from above, cascades through the unseen, and only then shapes how others perceive us.

The Empty Space Within

Scientists tell us something fascinating about our physical makeup: We're composed of approximately 90% empty space at the subatomic level.

There's more "nothing" than "something" in our composition.

Yet, we often try to fill our interior emptiness with exterior things, people's approval, material possessions, accomplishments, or followers.

We look to others, who are also mostly "empty space,” to complete us somehow.

It’s like attempting to plug an infinite gap with finite, mostly hollow objects.

This futile pursuit reflects our tendency toward hedonic adaptation, where the initial thrill of new relationships or acquisitions quickly fades.

This is why contentment is so highly treasured in Islam; when paired with gratitude (shukr), it cultivates a profound sense of completeness that frees us from the constant chase our brains drive us into.

In contrast, leaning on others’ approval traps us in a cycle of chasing fleeting dopamine or validation hits, leaving us perpetually unfulfilled.

When we go through life sizing up what we can get from others, our interactions carry a tension and unease, but when our souls are self-sufficient and overflowing with love, we move through the world radiating genuine compassion and care, drawing people to us effortlessly.

A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, "O Messenger of Allah, guide me to such an action which, if I do, Allah will love me and the people will also love me."

The Prophet ﷺ replied:

Redirecting our focus toward Allah unlocks a peace neither time nor circumstance can steal.

This inward turn transforms our relationship with everything else.

Ibn al-Jawzi remarked that people are often impressed by the external "cover" Allah has given us - our appearance, charm, and status - because they don't know us.

Notice that these external qualities fade; they’re circumstantial, not enduring.

What remains is our character and our connection with Allah.

Because genuine love must be based on something authentic within us.

If the Creator of galaxies and quantum particles loves you, the archangel Jibreel loves you, and the countless angels throughout the heavens love you, what greater achievement could you pursue?

Instead of chasing after the brief approval of people who may or may not have our best interests at heart, we focus on cultivating qualities that draw us closer to Allah.

The irony is that when we stop seeking people's approval and instead focus on pleasing Allah, genuine love and respect from others often follow naturally.

Not because we've manipulated our way into their hearts, but because Allah has placed that acceptance there.

And it doesn’t disappear when your looks fade, your skills diminish, or the world’s interests move on.

When we anchor our hearts in Allah’s infinite love, every other affection reflects the true, enduring love that sustains us through every moment.