Taken from Shaykh Hakeem Akhtar Sahib’s (hafizahullah) book, “Reformation of Charachter”.

Three steps toward attaining Allah Ta'ala's love.

First
When a person daily presents himself in the company of another for a short while, after a few days, love is inculcated. The result of meeting daily for some time is that if per chance they do not meet each other, then one will become restless for the other. There is no need for any proofs for this reality.

In like manner, begin meeting Allah Ta’ala daily for a short while. The manner of this is that while facing the Qiblah, one should, in solitude make theZzikr of Allah Ta'ala for a short while. Kalimah Tauheed, Durood Sharif, recitation of Qur'an, Uttering 'Allah, Allah" are all included in Zikr. This Zikr is the meeting with Allah Ta'ala.

It is narrated in Hadith Qudsi
"I am the companion of him who remembers me."

Second
The second method of attaining Allah Ta'ala’s love is by contemplating over His bounties. He has created the heaven & the earth, the mountains & the trees, the animals and the birds. He has created the whole universe for our benefit and nurturing and we have been created solely for His worship. Think of every bounty and be grateful. Logically, natural love is created for one’s benefactor.

Third
The third method which is the soul of the other two methods and which is extremely beneficial is that one should at times sit in the company of Allah Ta'ala’s lovers. Listen to their talks with love and conviction. A Hadith states that as one attains gold from a gold mine, silver from a silver mine and
salt from a salt mine, so the treasures of taqwa and the love of Allah Ta'ala will be attained from the companionship of His close friends. Like if a donkey falls and dies in a salt mine it too will become salt.

Maulana Rumi (Rahmatullah Alaihe) has stated, “If you are a stone, then do
not lose hope. By going to those whose hearts are connected to Allah Ta'ala, you will become a pearl.