Love and hate for the sake of Allah

We were frequently asked, for what reason we like someone. Is it because he is handsome, or clever or he helps you a lot or because he is a good friend?

Those are valid reasons, but what are the ultimate reason? What happen if you like someone because he is kind and clever, and marry him. Then when you grow older, he become snappy and ugly and demented, would you still love him then? or you'll find some other reason to love him - now he is you husband. Is that all we've got?

Allah says:

If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline: or the dwellings in which ye delight - are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious.(al-taubah: 24)

Family, in full.

Ultimate Love

Indeed the firmest handhold from Iman is that you love for Allah and hate for Allah (Hadith Ahmad - Hasan)

If we are consistent from the beginning that we love someone truly for Allah, that is the ultimate love. But what does it mean? It means that we put Allah's right first before everybody else. It means we love somebody not only for their worldly characteristics, but also for their loving of Allah. We love whom Allah loves and we hate whom Allah hates. If we marry someone, then we love them because Allah orders us to love our spouse. That is, for me, a valid reason to love. If (nauzubillah) somebody get divorced and re-marry, obviously the person has to love his new spouse, not the old one.

... He created for you mates among yourselves,that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts)... (Quran 30:21)

Friends become foes

We probably have lots of friends. Our facebook friends might reach the top limit (5000). We probably also like certain leaders in our country, and follow what they say to the letter. In the hereafter, if this is not done because of Allah, let's hope we will not blame each other for our own wrongdoings.

And (remember) the day when the wrongdoer will bite his hands, he will say: Oh! Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger (Muhhamad). Ah! Woe to me! Would that I had never taken so-and-so as a friend! He indeed led me astray from the Reminder (the Quran) after it had come to me. And Syaitan is ever a deserter to main in the hour of need. (Al-Furqan:27-29)

Friends that Day will be foes one to another except the pious who fear Allah (Al-Zukhruf:67)

Ways to strengthen one's love for Allah's sake

There was one particular housemate back in student years whom I strive to be like him. He opened up the pathway for me to search for true knowledge. His ideas of unity (and not being racist) still stick firmly in my heart and in my head. I struggle though to have the consistency and sincerity (hope he's sincere, Insya-Allah).

Along the years, we all have friends in which we deeply remember and cherish. Some we are still in contact with, some we are not. I used to have this opinion that in order for us to tell someone that what they do is not right, first we have to know the person. This is important for him not to feel isolated and as if we are against him instead of his sins. When we give advice to a friend instead of 'some insignicant others', we become aware of their feelings and afraid to do too much damage - BUT because of our love for him for the sake of Allah, we do it anyway. However, this probably is not practical and will take too long to work out.

So, for the friends that we currently have, these are the ways to strengthen our love's for Allah's sake.

1. Informing the one whom you love that you love him for Allah's sake

We probably are shy to say this, but just remember, if we can fluently say this to somebody whom we are not supposed to say (yet), then how come we are afraid to say when Allah and His Prophet ordered us so (to the correct person)?

Rasulullah said: If one of you loves his brother for Allah's sake, then let him tell him since it causes familiarity to endure and firmly established love. (Bukhari)

And his brother should reply: May the one for whose sake you have loved me, love you (Abu Dawud - sahih)

Anad ibn Malik said: A man passed by the prophet who was in the company of some people, so a man from those with him said: Indeed I love that person for Allah's sake. So the Prophet said: Have you infromed him? He said: No.Rasulullah said: Go to him and inform him. So he went to him and informed him, so he replied: May the One for whose sake you have loved me, love you. Then he returned nad the Prophet asked him and he told him what he had said. So the Prophet said: You will be with the one whom you have loved and there will be for you the reward that you hoped for.

2. Spreading the greetings of salam

You will not enter Paradise until you believe (have Iman), and you will not believe (have Iman) until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to something which you carry out you will love one another. Spread Al-Salam amongst yourselves. (Muslim)

3. Giving gifts

Give gifts and you will love one another. (Bukhari)

4. Visiting

Visit now and again - your love will increase (Reported by Al-Bazaar - sahih by Albani)

5. Moderation in love & hatred

Love the one whom you love in the moderation, perhaps one day he will be one whom you hate, and hate the one whom you hate in moderation perhaps one day he will be one whom you love. (Al-Tirmidhi-sahih)

6. Love his brother as he loves a good for himself

None of you will truly believe untiol he loves for his brother (the good) that he loves for himself. (Bukhari)


Virtues of loving for the sake of Allah

What is the benefit if we do what Allah say? A silly question. We'll rephrase it. What is the additional benefit (apart from ..... err.. ?paradise) of loving for Allah's sake?

1. Allah will love those who love for Allah sake.

This is a recurrent theme. We have learnt before that if we help others, Allah will help us. If we cover somebody's secret, Allah will cover ours. And if we love someone for Allag, then Allah will love us.

Rasulullah said: Allah the Most High said: My love is due for those who love one another for My sake... (Ahmad - sahih)

2. We'll be under the shade of Allah throne on the Day of Resurrection

The 5 groups that will be under the shade in Day of Resurrection, and one of them is those who meet and depart for the sake of Allah. In another hadith, Rasulullah said:

Allah will say on the day of Resurrection: Where are those who had mutual love for my Glory's sake. Today I will shade them in my shade on the Day where there is no shade except My shade... (Muslim)

3. Envied by the prophets and martyrs

Indeed from the servants of Allah there are some who are not prophets, yet they will be envied by the prophets and martyrs. It was said, " Who are they, that we may love them?" Rasulullah said, "They are people who have mutual love through light from Allah, not due to kinship or ancestry, their faces will be enlightened, upon pillars of light, they will not fear when people fear, nor grieve when the people grieve. Then rasulullah recited: No doubt! Verily, on the friends (awliyaa') of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Surah Yunus, ayat 62)

To be martyred is difficult, to be envied by martyred must be really difficult then. Reflect back, do we love our parents, wives, children, borthers and sisters - is it because they are related to us or for Allah? The Malay supremacy, our ancestories and relatives would have little value to Allah, if we love them not for Allah's sake. Allah's sake means, if it is wrong (islamically) then we say it is wrong.

4. Tasting the sweetness and perfection of Iman

Whoever would like to taste the sweetness of Iman then let him love a person, not loving him except for Allah's sake. (Ahmad- hasan)

He who loves for Allah and hates for Allah; and gives for Allah and withholds for Allah - has perfected Iman. (Abu Dawud - sahih)

5. And yes, Paradise

My err about paradise previously is shattered by this promise of paradise by Rasulullah, only if you love one another for the sake of Allah.

You will not enter Paradise until you believe (have Iman), and you will not believe (have Iman) until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to something which you carry out you will love one another. Spread Al-Salam amongst yourselves. (Muslim)

Difficult, but worth it

We know it is difficult. We know the benefit is huge. And we know we are not going to achieve it just with one try. But it will be worth the try, if we succeed! Insya-Allah.

@Peace.