Love: An Act of Worship

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

There are a many reasons why we would love someone or a person would love us; most of the time it is for some worldly gain. This love is as flimsy as the spider web. This is because people evolve and circumstances change.

When we love for the sake of Allah, it will stay through thick and thin. We love simply because Allah Almighty decreed us to love. A love revolving around Allah forms and reaffirms the strongest of bonds and creates and builds the strongest of characters.

In order to love others for the sake of Allah we must first love Allah and His Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, above all else. Loving for the sake of Allah is the truest expression of Faith (Iman) because it reflects complete submission to Allah’s decrees. Love becomes an act of worship. It generates a compassion within that compels one to act purely to gain the pleasure of Allah. Loving for the sake of Allah reminds us of the ultimate goal--Allah.

Allah's Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

None of you will truly believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.

[Bukhari]

One should treat others in the same manner that one would like to be treated. For instance, every person loves that he should be treated with respect and honor. He does not like to be ridiculed, slandered, or harmed in life, dignity, or property. He should therefore treat others in the same manner. He should not harm anyone in any way or desire any ill for anyone. Likewise, one should love the good for another that one desire for oneself. For example, if you were a homeless person, you would love a roof over your head, good food and nice clothes. So help the homeless, the poor and needy in much charity. Think in a similar manner with regard to every other person, whoever the person may be, and every other condition, whatever it may be. What good you would have desired for yourself had you been in the person's shoes, desire the same for the person.

If every Muslim adopts only this one concise teaching of Islam, most of the problems of the world would be resolved. Envy, jealousy, malice, and many other social evils will be eliminated.

Have a sincere concern for every Muslim. Make daily du'a for all of us. Although we may not know each other and we may be separated by distance, we are all connected and united under the most important and eternal Banner of Allah, the All Mighty.

Another important teaching is that one should not be excessive in love nor hate. This is because love for the sake of Allah is love that is in accordance with the Sacred Law. Out of love of Allah and His Messenger we love what Allah loves and hate what Allah hates. This is the Muslim’s criteria of love and hatred. So, if you love a person, love him for his obedience to Allah, and if he disobeys Allah then hate him because of his disobedience to Allah, not because of his essence.

Allah's Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Love your beloved moderately, perhaps he becomes hated to you someday. And hate whom you hate moderately, perhaps he becomes your beloved someday.

[Tirmidhi]

When it is said that we should be moderate, it is very important to identify the extremes. Moderation does not mean that you stay between Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, and Abu Jahl. Moderation is never between Islam and Kufr, between belief and disbelief, but the moderation of a Muslim is to be between Abu Bakr and 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them.

May Allah increase our love for Him and His Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and make us love one another for His sake only. Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam.