Seeking Nearness to Allah Through His Names and Attributes

Question:
What is the criterion for seeking nearness to Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He)?

Answer:
Seeking nearness to Allah, and to His names and attributes, is prescribed for the Muslim, and it is among the causes for the acceptance of supplication; for Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: : [Al-A'raf: 180], and because it is established from him (peace and blessings be upon him) in many hadiths that he sought nearness to Allah through His names and attributes.
It is also prescribed to seek nearness to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) through faith in Him, love of Him, and all righteous deeds. This includes loving the prophets of Allah, His messengers, and the believers among His servants. It also includes seeking nearness through dutifulness to parents, chastity from unlawful sexual intercourse, and fulfilling trusts; based on the authentic hadith regarding the story of the men of the cave, upon whom a rock closed, and they were unable to move it. They were three, so they called upon Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and sought nearness to Him through their righteous deeds, and the rock moved away from them. Their hadith is established in the two Sahihs. One of them sought nearness through his dutifulness to his parents, the second through his chastity from unlawful sexual intercourse after having the ability to commit it, and the third through his fulfillment of the trust for its owners. And Allah grants success.