The Prophet (PBUH) is the beloved of Allah without any doubt, for he
loves Allah and is loved by Him. But there is a description of him that
is more note-worthy than that, which is Khaleelullah (Allah's Friend).
The Messenger (PBUH) is Khaleelullah, as he said:
"Verily, Allah has taken me as a Khaleel, just as He took
Ibrahim as a Khaleel."
For this reason, whoever described him only as Allah's Habeeb has
diminished him in status, because (Allah's) Khullah (Friendship) is
greater and higher than. (His) Mahabbah (Love). All the believers are
the beloved of Allah, but the Messenger of Allah enjoys a higher
standing than that, which is Al-Khullah, for Allah has taken him as His
Khaleel, just as He took Ibrahim, peace be upon him, as His Khaleel.
This is why we say that Muhammad (PBUH) is Allah's Messenger and
His Khaleel and this is better than saying that he is Allah's Habeeb,
because that includes (Allah's) Love and more, since it is the utmost
Love.
Writing By ABDULRASHID MUHAMMMAD