The Loving

Who loves and lets Himself be loved.

The tongue

From w-d-d; wudd is love-tenderness, lasting affection. A faʿūl (فَعُول) form that can be active (He loves) and passive (He is loved).

The reason

He loves His creatures before they love Him; it is His love that calls forth theirs in return.

The Sufi meaning

Al-Wadūd is the secret Name of the Sufis: God is not only to be feared, He is to be loved. The whole way lies in this shift.

The servant's portion

Love, simply. Love those who love you, love those who do not love you. And know that, first of all, you are loved.