“Accepting Allah as the only deity worthy of worship and submitting to Him completely does require and includes fearing Him. This is what Islam is all about- submitting totally to the will and the power of Allah. But there’s another not less important quality that’s governing the relationship binding us- the servants- to Almighty Allah- it is the element of Love.”
I was contemplating the human relation with Almighty Allah, and stopped at many verses in the Quran highlighting how special and primarily unique it is.
Fear of Allah, while largely highlighted in several direct and indirect warnings stated in the Quran and the Prophet’s Sunnah, is inherently comprehended as part of accepting Allah as the Lord of the Worlds, the One and Only God, our Lord, our Creator and the Almighty in the hands of Whom lies our fates in this world and the other. He is the All-Capable God whose power surpasses all creatures and any creatures in whatever world.
Accepting this and submitting to Him totally does require and includes fearing Him. This is what Islam is all about- submitting totally to the will and the power of Allah.
But there’s another not less important quality that’s governing the relationship binding us- the servants- to Almighty Allah- it is the element of Love.
Love as a foundation of a balanced God-Servant relationship is stressed numerously in the Holy Quran and in many instances in the Sunnah. Read on;
Ubada bin As-Samit (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “I heard Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) quoting his Lord (SWT) Who said: My love is established for those who love one another for My sake; and My love is established for those who spend money for My sake; and My love is established for those who visit one another for My sake. (In fact) those who love one another for the sake of Allah will be at pulpits of light in the shade of Allah’s Throne on a day when there is no shade but His shade.” – Sound Hadith through all its channels and reported in Musnad Ahmad. Found in: 110 Hadith Qudsi Chapter No: 1, 110 Ahadith Qudsi (Sacred Hadith)- Hadith no. 61
Also in another Hadith; Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’ s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “When Allah loves a person, He calls Jibrael and says (to him): I love so-and-so, therefore you should also love him. The Prophet (PBUH) added: So, Jibrael begins to love him. Then he makes an announcement in the heaven saying: Allah loves so and so, therefore you should also love him. Then the inhabitants of heaven (the angels) would love him. He (SAW) added: Thus acceptance is established for him on earth (i.e. that person becomes popular among the people). When Allah dislikes any slave He calls Jibrael and says to him: I hate so-and-so, therefore you should also hate him. Then he calls out to the inhabitants of heaven: Allah hates so-and-so, therefore you should also hate him. Thus hatred is established for him on earth (i.e., then hatred prevails against him among the people).” – Sound Hadith reported by Muslim and Tirmidhi. – Found in: 110 Hadith Qudsi Chapter No: 1, 110 Ahadith Qudsi (Sacred Hadith)- Hadith no: 56
Also Allah says in the Quran; “But yes, whoever fulfills his commitment and fears Allah – then indeed, Allah loves those who fear Him.” – Quran 3:76
“And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah . But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah . And if only they who have wronged would consider [that] when they see the punishment, [they will be certain] that all power belongs to Allah and that Allah is severe in punishment.” – Quran 2:165
“And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits.” – Quran 2:190
“And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.” – Quran 2:195
“And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” – Quran 2:222
“Who spend [in the cause of Allah ] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good;” – Quran 3:134
“Allah does not bless usury, and He causes charitable deeds to prosper, and Allah does not love any ungrateful sinner.” – Quran 2:276
”So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the good reward of the Hereafter. And Allah loves the doers of good.” – Quran 3:148
Love is also highlighted as the believers’ path towards Allah, aiding their pursuit to gain his satisfaction and earn salvation in this world and the other;
And in another instance; “Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah , then follow me, [so] Allah will loveyou and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” – Quran 3:31
“O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion – Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah ; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” – Quran 5:54
Thus, the two qualities do not conflict with one another, as a matter of fact they support one another, assert one another and essentially complete one another.
The God-Servant relationship was never about fear only, and surely not love only- but both- blended- rendering it a loving fear, fearful love relationship.
May Allah grant you and us hearts that are filled with love of Allah, and consciences fearful of Him- Amen.
Wassalaam, Maha Youssuf The Muslim Tribune Editor maha@muslimtribune.org
Posted on: March 18, 2012