One common misconception about Islam among Non-Muslims, and regrettably among many Muslims, portrays Islam as rigid religion that abides by a set of rules, void of any stress on emotions or the role of the heart.

 

Islam gives significant weight to the work of the heart, and lays equal responsibility on its conformity with the actions of individuals, making it the core of every act- where each Muslim places his intention “Neyya”, and principally the soil where a person plants the seed of faith.

Similarly, Islamic teachings and the Islamic Faith relate considerably to the virtue of love, not just as a mere human moral that’s cornerstone to a sound Muslim character, but as the foundation upon which the Islamic creed is build in its entirety.

Allah says in the Quran

“Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Say… Obey Allah and the Messenger.” But if they turn away – then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers.”
—Quran 3: 31-32

Same conception is asserted in the Prophet’s Sunnah;

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “ By Him in Whose Hands my life is, none of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, and his children and all mankind.”
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[ 1:14- O.B]

So Love for Allah and his Prophet is part and parcel of a person’s faith and Islam, the absence of which renders both void and incomplete.

On a deeper note, without the element of love involved in every act of worship or obedience, towards Allah, makes it difficult, and if it’s already difficult, such as Hajj or Fasting , it will double its difficulty ten fold.

And in another Hadith narrated by Anas also reflecting on the notion of Love, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever possesses the following three (qualities) will have the sweetness (delight) of faith:

1- The one to whom Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) become dearer than anything else.

2- Who Loves a person and he loves him only for Allah’s sake.

3- Who hates to revert to atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire.”

[1:15-O.B]

But people tend to downplay the importance of such crucial element of faith, limiting the Islamic belief to a set of acts of worships and obedience to Almighty Allah and religious commands, voiding and ripping them of this noble connotation and moral implication.

Another kind of misconception may approve of the importance of the notion of love but limit it to loving Allah and his Messenger.

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “None of you will have faith till he likes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.”

[1:12-O.B]

A look into the Islamic teachings pertaining to the mutual responsibility befalling Muslims towards one another and towards their communities is capable of clearing any misconception relating to the matter.

A Muslim is entitled to show love, care and respect towards his brothers in Islam and even non-Muslims, and the absence of the core quality, that’s Love, makes the other two, care and respect, also non-existent.

But how to develop a character that is so loving and socially appreciated?

Islam has also laid the foundation for such a character, listing the most minute details relating to the holistic portrait of a balanced personality that practices love and is sound enough to receive it from others.

– Exchanging gifts; the Prophet (PBUH) used to accept gifts and used to advice his companions to exchange gifts given their positive influence on people’s hearts, a way of showing love and respect. So follow the suit, but make sure not to overdo it or exaggerate your gifts or become overly expecting of more form others. Balance is a virtue in itself, so give presents but keep them simple and timely, and don’t wait for others do the same.

– Be a good listener; with modern life becoming increasingly burdening, people need a shoulder they trust they can rely on, and honest hearts to care for them. A sincere advice and genuine solidarity is what people need most nowadays, and is enough of making a person who practices both most appreciate by simply everybody.

– Give the benefit of the doubt; for you never know the complete story, or what could be happening on the other side of life, that of the person who might seem to you as acting oddly. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us to “Give 70 excuses to your brother.” Trust that before you run out of the 7o excuses, the truth will unveil itself before you to show you, leaving no room for misunderstanding and eventual rift.

– Refrain from backbiting; make sure people you know are respected wherever you are and let nobody mention them in bad context of beguile and backbiting behind their backs People will first make fun of you and might turn angry, but eventually they shall respect you, knowing that you practice the same attitude towards them in their absence.

– Keep a smile on your face.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises.” He was then asked: “From what do we give charity every day?” The Prophet answered: “The doors of goodness are many…enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf, leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one’s legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one’s arms–all of these are charity prescribed for you.” He also said: “Your smile for your brother is charity.”

– Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 98

– Be tolerant toward people’s mistakes; picking on them makes them feel rejected and ridiculed. They will appreciate your tolerance even if they don’t show it.

Allah says in the Quran…

“… [those] who restrain anger and pardon [all] men- for Allah loves those who do good.”– Quran 3:134

– Be a friendly person.
Take the noble Prophet as an example. He (pbuh) used to be friendly and showed  occasional sense of humor.

– Act humbly, and refrain from being snobbish. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah will not increase His servant except in honor. No-one humbles himself for the sake of Allah, but Allah will raise his status”- recorded by Imam Muslim (may Allah be pleased with him).

Remove any emotional barrier between you and others and you shall deal smoothly with them, yet I advice you to keep a due distance that protects you and them from meddling in one another’s life matters which is detrimental to any human relations.

May Allah keep our bond of brotherhood lively and enact in a way that would alleviate the challenges of life and help us attain His satisfaction. Amen.

Wassalaam,

By: Maha Youssuf

maha@muslimtribune.org

Posted on: September 13, 2011