True love – II
04/02/2010| IslamWeb
Love for parents:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.} [Quran 17:23-24] Ibn Katheer 
commented, “Allah The Almighty orders us to worship Him alone, with no partner, as mentioned in the first verse.”
commented, “Allah The Almighty orders us to worship Him alone, with no partner, as mentioned in the first verse.”Therefore, as dutifulness towards parents was paired with the worship of Allah The Almighty, it means that it is also a Divine Commandment, as [further evident when] He Says (what means): {Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.} [Quran 31:14]
It is mentioned in the book Tafseer Al-Qur'an Al-‘Atheem regarding the verse [quoted previously in the seventeenth] Chapter Al-Israa’ (The Night Journey), that it states that children should neither retort in a bad or vulgar manner to their parents, nor even utter a minor word of disrespect or annoyance. Additionally, it stressed that they should not react offensively or in a bad way when dealing with them, as the verse reads (what means): “do not repel”. ‘Ataa’ ibn Abu Rabaah further elaborated that this means one must not even wave his or her hand angrily in the air before them. Then, Allah The Almighty decrees that children should respond to their parents, using good and polite words and actions, as mentioned in the verse (which means): {speak to them a noble word}. This means one is to say polite and noble words that imply courtesy, respect and reverence.
further elaborated that this means one must not even wave his or her hand angrily in the air before them. Then, Allah The Almighty decrees that children should respond to their parents, using good and polite words and actions, as mentioned in the verse (which means): {speak to them a noble word}. This means one is to say polite and noble words that imply courtesy, respect and reverence.Additionally, Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that a man once asked the Prophet, 
, who among people was worthiest of his good treatment and companionship, to which he thrice replied it was his mother; then, he, , listed his father, followed by his nearest relatives, according to the order [of kinship relations]. [Muslim]
, who among people was worthiest of his good treatment and companionship, to which he thrice replied it was his mother; then, he, , listed his father, followed by his nearest relatives, according to the order [of kinship relations]. [Muslim]In fact, loving, honoring, respecting and seeking the satisfaction and pleasure of one’s parents is required in Islam, as per the Hadeeth: “Attaining the Pleasure of Allah The Exalted lies in [gaining] the parents’ satisfaction; and, His Anger is in their unhappiness.” [Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh]
Love of a married [Muslim] couple:
Behold, dear brother, the astonishing incident narrated on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, as she related what happened before her marriage: “Jibreel came with my image reflected on a green silken cloth to the Prophet and said, ‘This is your wife in this world and in the Hereafter.’”[At-Tirmithi, Hasan Ghareeb]This narration, albeit with different wording, was also recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
and said, ‘This is your wife in this world and in the Hereafter.’”[At-Tirmithi, Hasan Ghareeb]This narration, albeit with different wording, was also recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.Moreover, ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “The Prophet used to divide his time equally among his wives and he would say, ‘O Allah, this is my division in what I control, so do not blame me for [the actions of] what You dominate while I do not [i.e., the heart].’” [Abu Daawood] Here, he, , was asking Allah The Almighty to forgive him for being unable to allot equal love and affection among his spouses, as he loved ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, more than his other wives, yet he would grant each of them her due right, in terms of spending nights equally with all of them.
used to divide his time equally among his wives and he would say, ‘O Allah, this is my division in what I control, so do not blame me for [the actions of] what You dominate while I do not [i.e., the heart].’” [Abu Daawood] Here, he, , was asking Allah The Almighty to forgive him for being unable to allot equal love and affection among his spouses, as he loved ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, more than his other wives, yet he would grant each of them her due right, in terms of spending nights equally with all of them.It is stated in the book ‘Awn Al-Ma’bood: “In fact, this narration proves that one cannot control his fond feelings and affection for others; it is something that is only in the Hands of Allah The Almighty.”
On another occasion, one of the wives of the Prophet, , sent him food in a container, while he was with ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her; she got up and broke it. He, , started collecting the [fallen] food, while saying: “Your mother got jealous.” [Al-Bukhari]
, sent him food in a container, while he was with ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her; she got up and broke it. He, , started collecting the [fallen] food, while saying: “Your mother got jealous.” [Al-Bukhari]Moreover, ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated that one night, the Prophet, , left her chamber and she felt jealous. When he came and saw her in an agitated state of mind, he said: “O ‘Aa’ishah, what is wrong with you? Do you feel jealous?’ Thereupon, she responded, “How can a wife like me not feel protective over a husband like you?” The Prophet, , said, “This was [only because of] your devil that had come to you.” ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, inquired, “O Messenger of Allah, is there a devil with me?” He replied,“Yes.” She asked, “Is there a devil with everyone?” He once more replied in the affirmative, so, she further asked, “O Messenger of Allah, and with you too?” He said, “Yes, but my Lord has helped me against him and he is [now] absolutely subdued.” [Muslim]
, left her chamber and she felt jealous. When he came and saw her in an agitated state of mind, he said: “O ‘Aa’ishah, what is wrong with you? Do you feel jealous?’ Thereupon, she responded, “How can a wife like me not feel protective over a husband like you?” The Prophet, , said, “This was [only because of] your devil that had come to you.” ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, inquired, “O Messenger of Allah, is there a devil with me?” He replied,“Yes.” She asked, “Is there a devil with everyone?” He once more replied in the affirmative, so, she further asked, “O Messenger of Allah, and with you too?” He said, “Yes, but my Lord has helped me against him and he is [now] absolutely subdued.” [Muslim]Indeed, this is a very lucid and clear message from the Prophet, , to all Muslim husbands, to be considerate and respectful of the jealousy of their wives, because true love enjoins such an [overprotective] attitude; he should [definitely] not hit or divorce them on its basis.
, to all Muslim husbands, to be considerate and respectful of the jealousy of their wives, because true love enjoins such an [overprotective] attitude; he should [definitely] not hit or divorce them on its basis.Parental love for children:
Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, kissed Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali, while Al-Aqra’ ibn Haabis At-Tameemi, may Allah be pleased with them all, was sitting beside him. Al-Aqra’ remarked: “I have ten children and have never kissed any of them.” The Prophet, , cast a look at him and said,“Whoever is not compassionate to others, will not be shown mercy [by Allah The Almighty].” [Al-Bukhari]
kissed Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali, while Al-Aqra’ ibn Haabis At-Tameemi, may Allah be pleased with them all, was sitting beside him. Al-Aqra’ remarked: “I have ten children and have never kissed any of them.” The Prophet, , cast a look at him and said,“Whoever is not compassionate to others, will not be shown mercy [by Allah The Almighty].” [Al-Bukhari]Moreover, Umm Khaalid, the daughter of Khaalid ibn Sa‘eed, may Allah be pleased with her, related: “I went to the Prophet with my father, while wearing a yellow shirt. The Prophet said, ‘Sanah, Sanah!’ [‘Abdullaah, the narrator, said that this meant ‘good’, in the Abyssinian language]. I then started playing with the seal of Prophethood [between the shoulders of the Prophet ] and was harshly rebuked by my father for that. The Prophet though, said, ‘Leave her’, and then invoked Allah to grant me a long life, saying, ‘May you wear this dress till it is worn out, and then wear it more till it starts fraying and then don it until it wears out further yet.’” It is said that Umm Khaalid, may Allah be pleased with her, did indeed live for a long time, wearing that very dress. [Al-Bukhari]
with my father, while wearing a yellow shirt. The Prophet said, ‘Sanah, Sanah!’ [‘Abdullaah, the narrator, said that this meant ‘good’, in the Abyssinian language]. I then started playing with the seal of Prophethood [between the shoulders of the Prophet ] and was harshly rebuked by my father for that. The Prophet though, said, ‘Leave her’, and then invoked Allah to grant me a long life, saying, ‘May you wear this dress till it is worn out, and then wear it more till it starts fraying and then don it until it wears out further yet.’” It is said that Umm Khaalid, may Allah be pleased with her, did indeed live for a long time, wearing that very dress. [Al-Bukhari]In his book, Fat-h Al-Baari, Ibn Hajar elaborated on this, saying, “This narration shows how the Prophet let Muslim children play with him, and how he used to kiss and joke with them, portraying camaraderie.”
elaborated on this, saying, “This narration shows how the Prophet let Muslim children play with him, and how he used to kiss and joke with them, portraying camaraderie.”Furthermore, Mahmood ibn Ar-Rabee’, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: “When I was a five-year-old boy, I remember the Prophet took water from a bucket [that went in the well] with his mouth and let it sprinkle on my face.” [Al-Bukhari] Imaam An-Nawawi in his Sharh An-Nawawi, commented on this, saying, “Scholars clarified that what the Prophet did is considered as playing and joking with little children, aside from being a gesture that reflects his love and respect for their parents. Moreover, it proves that it is permissible in Islam to have fun.”
took water from a bucket [that went in the well] with his mouth and let it sprinkle on my face.” [Al-Bukhari] Imaam An-Nawawi in his Sharh An-Nawawi, commented on this, saying, “Scholars clarified that what the Prophet did is considered as playing and joking with little children, aside from being a gesture that reflects his love and respect for their parents. Moreover, it proves that it is permissible in Islam to have fun.”A sign of our love for our children can be shown in protecting them against Shirk (associating partners with Allah The Almighty) and sins:
It was narrated that Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “There was a young Jewish man who fell sick and the Prophet went to visit him. He sat by the boy’s head and urged, ‘Embrace Islam.’ The boy looked at his father, who was present, whereupon the latter said, ‘Obey Abu Al-Qaasim [i.e., Muhammad].’ So, the boy embraced Islam and the Prophet left saying,‘Praise be to Allah The Almighty Who has saved him from Hell through me.’” [Abu Daawood]
went to visit him. He sat by the boy’s head and urged, ‘Embrace Islam.’ The boy looked at his father, who was present, whereupon the latter said, ‘Obey Abu Al-Qaasim [i.e., Muhammad].’ So, the boy embraced Islam and the Prophet left saying,‘Praise be to Allah The Almighty Who has saved him from Hell through me.’” [Abu Daawood]Another gesture of love for children is teaching them what is of benefit to them:
Mu‘aath ibn Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him, recounts: “The Prophet took hold of my hand and said, ‘O Mu‘aath! By Allah I love you, so I advise you never to forget reciting this Thikr (phrase of remembrance of Allah The Almighty) after every prayer: Allahumma a‘inni ‘ala thikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibaadatik (O Allah, Help me to remember You, to be duly grateful to You and to worship You properly).’” [Abu Daawood]
took hold of my hand and said, ‘O Mu‘aath! By Allah I love you, so I advise you never to forget reciting this Thikr (phrase of remembrance of Allah The Almighty) after every prayer: Allahumma a‘inni ‘ala thikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibaadatik (O Allah, Help me to remember You, to be duly grateful to You and to worship You properly).’” [Abu Daawood]Similarly, Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, relates: “One day I was riding behind the Prophet when he said,‘O boy, I shall teach you some words [of advice]; be mindful of Allah The Almighty, He will protect you. If you are conscious of Allah, you will find Him by your side. When you ask for anything, ask Allah; and if you seek help, let it be only His aid. You should know that were the people to gather to benefit you with anything, they would benefit you only with what Allah has already decreed for you; and if they were to unite to harm you, they could hurt you only according to what Allah has destined for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried [i.e., the fate that Allah The Almighty has pre-ordained cannot be altered].” [At-Tirmithi, Hasan Saheeh]
when he said,‘O boy, I shall teach you some words [of advice]; be mindful of Allah The Almighty, He will protect you. If you are conscious of Allah, you will find Him by your side. When you ask for anything, ask Allah; and if you seek help, let it be only His aid. You should know that were the people to gather to benefit you with anything, they would benefit you only with what Allah has already decreed for you; and if they were to unite to harm you, they could hurt you only according to what Allah has destined for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried [i.e., the fate that Allah The Almighty has pre-ordained cannot be altered].” [At-Tirmithi, Hasan Saheeh]Another sign of love for children is to give them solace by playing with them:
Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, , often hung around, joked and laughed with children. Once, he said to his younger brother [who was grieving the death of his little bird]: "O Abu ‘Umayr, what happened to your Nughayr (little bird)?" [At-Tirmithi, Hasan Saheeh]
, often hung around, joked and laughed with children. Once, he said to his younger brother [who was grieving the death of his little bird]: "O Abu ‘Umayr, what happened to your Nughayr (little bird)?" [At-Tirmithi, Hasan Saheeh]Love for the Sake of Allah The Almighty among Muslims:
This is an aspect of true love; Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, , said: "Whoever possesses the following three qualities will taste the sweetness of faith: loving Allah and His Messenger more than anything else, loving a person only for the Sake of Allah, and hating to return to disbelief as one hates to be thrown into fire." [Al-Bukhari]
, said: "Whoever possesses the following three qualities will taste the sweetness of faith: loving Allah and His Messenger more than anything else, loving a person only for the Sake of Allah, and hating to return to disbelief as one hates to be thrown into fire." [Al-Bukhari]He also reported this Hadeeth: "None of you will attain faith till he loves for his [Muslim] brother what he loves for himself." [Al-Bukhari]
Additionally, Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, recounted: “A man was with the Prophet when another person passed by them, so, he said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! I love this individual [who we both just saw].’ The Prophet asked him: ‘Have you told him?’ He replied, ‘No, I have not.’ The Prophet instructed: ‘Inform him [of your sentiments].’ Accordingly, the man went [to the person] and said, ‘I love you for the Sake of Allah.’ He replied, ‘May The One for Whose Sake you love me, love you [in return]!’” [Abu Daawood]
when another person passed by them, so, he said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! I love this individual [who we both just saw].’ The Prophet asked him: ‘Have you told him?’ He replied, ‘No, I have not.’ The Prophet instructed: ‘Inform him [of your sentiments].’ Accordingly, the man went [to the person] and said, ‘I love you for the Sake of Allah.’ He replied, ‘May The One for Whose Sake you love me, love you [in return]!’” [Abu Daawood]True love – I
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