i. His love for Allah and His Rasool is more than that for all and everything.
ii. His love for another (person) is motivated by only the love of Allah. (i.e. His love and friendship with people are not for worldly motives. He befriends people because they happen to be pious men of Allah).
iii. A man who, after having been saved by Allah from Kufr, abhors returning to Kufr as much as he abhors falling into a fire." (Bukhaari and Muslim)
2. Anas (ra) narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: "You cannot have total Imaan as long as you do not love me more than your father, children and all people." (Bukhaari, Muslim-Mishkaat)
3. Anas (ra) narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: "A man cannot be perfect of Imaan as long as his love for me is not more than his love for his whole family and for all people." (Muslim)
Also in Bukhaari Shareef it is recorded that Umar (ra) said: "O Rasulullah! Most assuredly, I love you more than all things, but my own life."
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: "I swear by The Being in Whose Power is my life! One is not a perfect believer until one loves me more than one's own life."
Umar RA (reflected and) exclaimed: "I now love you more than my own life."
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam replied : "Now you are a perfect Muslim."
Initially, Umar (ra) did not reflect and thought that since one is affected more by difficulty on oneself than difficulty on another, one's life must be dearer than another's. However, upon reflection he realised that for the sake of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam every Muslim will readily sacrifice his own life. If a choice has to be made between one's own life and the dignity and honour of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, even the ordinary Muslim will be prepared to lay down his life at the altar of sacrifice. Umar (ra) thus realised that in actual fact his love for Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam was greater than his love for his own life. And, so it was and remained until the end — Umar (ra) remained steadfast on the Deen never turning his face away from the Deen by the slightest degree.
4. Ibn Abbaas (ra) narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: "Love Allah Ta'ala because He nourishes and sustains you; love me because Allah Ta'ala loves me." (Tirmithi)
It is not to be inferred from this Hadith that we have to love Allah Ta'ala only because He nourishes us. This Hadith merely implies that should one be unable to comprehend the limitless and vast favours and bounties of Allah Ta'ala, then at least contemplate and understand this one great Ni'mat of nourishment (Rizq). No one can ever deny or ignore this obvious fact of Allah Ta'ala being the sole Nourisher and Sustainer. Hence, understanding even this single fact will induce in one love for Allah Ta'ala.
5. Anas (ra) narrates that a villager came to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and said: "O Rasulullah! When will it be Qiyaamah?"
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: "What preparations have you made for it?"
He replied: "I have not much Salaat nor Saum, but I have love for Allah and His Rasool."
This meant that on the Day of Qiyaamah those who had loved Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam will be with him. Along with this great fortune, they will be in close proximity to Allah Ta'ala. Anas (ra) then commented:
"After having heard this good news, Muslims became exceedingly happy. After having embraced Islam nothing else (besides their embracing) made them as happy (as this statement of Rasulullah (b)." (Bukhaari, Muslims)
The glad tidings conveyed in this Hadith are of great significance. Even if one has no great stock of acts of Ibaadat, the love of Allah and His Rasool Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam will secure the treasure of Divine Proximity for one in the Aakhirah.
6. Abu Thar Ghifaari (ra) narrated that once Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam performed Salaat (Tahajjud). The whole night in his Salaat he recited a single aayat until the morning. The aayat is:
"(O Allah!) If You punish them, they are your servants (i.e. You have all the authority over them). If You forgive them (it is within Your Power), for You are All-powerful and the One of Wisdom." (Nisaai and Ibn Majah)
Shaikh Dehlawi (rahmatullahi alayh) commenting on this Hadith, says that the Qur'aanic aayat which was recited the whole night by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is the statement of Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam), which he will be making (on the Day of Qiyaamah) in regard to his Ummah. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam presented his Ummah's case for Maghfirat (forgiveness) to Allah Ta'ala in the same manner. This loving attitude of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam bears testimony to his great love for his Ummah. For the sake of this love, he sacrificed the comfort of whole nights, petitioning and appealing to Allah Ta'ala to forgive his Ummah. It will only be a callous and a heartless one whose heart is not moved when he hears of the great love which Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam had for the Ummah.
7. Abu Hurairah (ra) narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: "My similitude with you is like a man who strives to prevent moths falling into a fire. The moths plunge into the fire while the man makes great attempts to save them. Inspite of his efforts, they continue to fall into the fire. Similarly, I relentlessly grab hold of you and divert you from the Fire (so that you do not plunge into Jahannum by commission of evil), but you continue with your plunge into the Fire." (Bukhaari)
This Hadith too indicates the tremendous love and concern which Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam had for his Ummah. His profound concern to save his Ummah from the calamities of the Aakhirah is a manifestation of his love for the Ummah. Which Ummati can ignore this love?
8. Abbaas Ibn Mirdaas (ra) narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam made Dua of Maghfirat (forgiveness) for his Ummah in the evening of Arafaat. The Divine Answer came: "Your Ummah has been forgiven, excepting Huqooqul Ibaad (i.e. the rights of others which were usurped and plundered and for which no proper amends were made)."
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam then petitioned Allah Ta'ala: "O Allah! If You wish, You can award the rights (which were plundered here) of the oppressed with Jannat and forgive the oppressors."
However, this Dua was not accepted on that night. During the morning at Muzdalifah, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam repeated the Dua. On this occasion the request was granted, The acceptance of this Dua induced Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam to smile with delight. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam then said to Abu Bakr and Umar (ra):
"When Allah Ta'ala accepted my Dua and forgave my Ummah, Iblees rubbed sand in his face and cried in despondency and defeat. I laughed on seeing his discomfort." (Ibn Majah, Baihaqi)
This Hadith must not be misconstrued. The inference should not be drawn that usurped, plundered and unfulfilled rights of creation (Huqooqul Ibaad) will compulsorily at all times be waived, without any punishment nor does it mean that the performance of Hajj cancels out such rights. The interpretation of this Hadith consists of two possibilities:
a. The possibility of remaining in Jahannum forever as punishment for the usurpation of Huqooqul Ibaad.
b. Definite punishment for Huqooqul Ibaad although such punishment will not be everlasting residence in Jahannum.
When Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam made the Dua, two Divine Promises were the result:
i. Everlasting residence in Jahannum (the first possibility mentioned above) as compensation for plundering Huqooqul Ibaad was cancelled. After serving one's sentence of punishment in Jahannum, one will emerge therefrom and attain salvation.
ii. Certainty of punishment for Huqooqul Ibaad (the second possibility) cancelled. In fact, there will be cases where Allah Ta'ala will by the presentation of favours and ni'mat to the oppressed secure in return forgiveness for the oppressors. The oppressed will become pleased with the bounties and happily pardon the oppressors.
Once again, we must reflect and realise the tremendous and deep love which Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam cherished for the Ummah. His concern for the Ummah was so great that he persisted in the supplication to secure forgiveness for even the oppressors of his Ummah. Is it yet possible that the heart of the Believer will not brim over with love for Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam?
9. Abdullah Bin Amr Bin Al-'Aas (ra) narrates that once Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, after reciting those verses in which are mentioned the Dua of Ibraheem and Isaa (alayhimas salaam) for their respective Ummats, raised his hands and supplicated to Allah Ta'ala as follows: " O Allah! My Ummah, my Ummah."
Allah Ta'ala said: "Jibraeel, go to Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam — Your Creator is aware (of all things) — and ask him the reason for his grief."
Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) enquired the reason from Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam for his grief and tears. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam informed Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) of his concern for the Ummah. Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) then brought the following message from Allah Ta'ala: "We shall please you in regard to your Ummah and We shall not let you grieve." (Muslim)
According to Ibn Abbaas (ra), Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said that he will never be happy as long as there remains a single member of his Ummah in the Fire. (Durrul Manthur). In terms of this Divine Promise to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, Insha-Allah, Allah Ta'ala will not leave a single Ummati in Jahannum.
O Muslims! The wonderful treasures of the Aakhirah which you will be acquiring will be through the auspicious agency of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. If, therefore, you cannot love him, for who will you ever love.
10. Umar (ra) narrated that there was a man by the name, Abdullah and was known as Himaar. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam had punished him for having consumed liquor. After having been punished he was once again brought to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam for the same crime. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam ordered him to be punished. Someone cursed him (Himaar) for repeatedly committing the crime. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam commented:
"Do not curse him. I swear by Allah that I know he has love for Allah and His Rasool." (Abu Dawood)
One can from this incident realise the honour and love which Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam had for one who was imbued with love for Allah and love for the Rasool. Even after repeatedly having indulged in a major sin, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam forbade people from cursing the wrongdoer. It is now necessary that every Muslim fills every vein in his body with the love of Allah and love of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. The noble and priceless treasures of the Aakhirah are procurable by virtue of this love without difficulty.
~ HAYAATUL MUSLIMEEN by Ml Ashraf Ali Thanwi RA ~
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