LOVING FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH
(Subhaanahu Wa Ta'aalaa)

Sister Shariffa Carlo

Recently, a young woman pledged Shahaadah and embraced Islam. Since she is in another state, I told her to go to the Masjid and find a sister who could teach her and guide her through these first difficult steps. She calls me on a semi-regular manner to let me know how she is doing. I was so upset to learn that she was on the verge of leaving her Islam because this woman, whom she had met, was so and so. May Allah protect us from this!

This woman had emphasized the fear of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s wrath to the point that she forgot the Love of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), and Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s Love for us. She had taught this young Muslimah that almost every bad act took her from Islam. Of course, this young girl had not yet gotten to a point that she was able to give up all of her non-Islamic ways, but she knew Islam was the truth, and she wanted to be Muslim. She did not want to die in disbelief. Further, she was slowly moving towards the good deeds and away from the bad.

This is a good thing. The girl is not perfect, but she is moving forward. Remember the Hadeeth of Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) when he told of the man who had killed 99 men.

Narrated Hadhrat Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said:
“Amongst the men of Bani Israel there was a man who had murdered ninety-nine persons. Then he set out asking (whether his repentance could be accepted or not). He came upon a monk and asked him if his repentance could be accepted. The monk replied in the negative and so the man killed him. He kept on asking till a man advised to go to such and such village. (So he left for it) but death overtook him on the way. While dying, he turned his chest towards that village (where he had hoped his repentance would be accepted), and so the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment quarreled amongst themselves regarding him. Allah ordered the village (towards which he was going) to come closer to him, and ordered the village (whence he had come), to go far away, and then He ordered the angels to measure the distances between his body and the two villages. So he was found to be one span closer to the village (he was going to). So he was forgiven.”  (Saheeh Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 56, Number 676)

From this Hadeeth, we see and learn many things.

One: We see that the man was trying to repent and change his ways.

Two: The man was moving in that direction.

Three: The man was a great sinner.

Four: The man had an intention of good and his intention was followed by a corresponding act.

Five: Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) saw, and recognized his intention and the action which followed that intention.

Six: Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), in all His Love and Mercy, created forgiveness for the man.

The Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) was trying to show us compassion. He was trying to teach us Mercy. Notice that the monk who told the killer that there was no forgiveness was killed. The one who showed compassion and understanding did not die. And he was probably rewarded for showing this man the proper way towards repentance. For no deed is lost by Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).

Why all this? Because I fear that we, as Muslims, have forgotten Love and Compassion. We have forgotten the Love for Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and by Allah, Al Wadood. Instead, we remember only the fear of Him and His Wrath. Please note that in the Quraan, usually you see visions of paradise described alongside are the visions of hell. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has to be presented and understood in a balanced manner. Too much in either direction is dangerous and counter-productive. If we emphasize fear over love, we lose the sweetness of the faith. If we emphasize love over fear, we lose the blessings of practicing the faith. We need both in equal proportion.

Further, when we love Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), we reap a special benefit. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) then Loves us.

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:
Say: “If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (3:31)

And:
“O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion, then Allah will bring a people, He shall love them and they shall love Him, humble before the believers, mighty against the unbelievers, they shall strive hard in Allah’s way and shall not fear the censure of any censurer; this is Allah’s Face, He gives it to whom He pleases, and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.” (5:54)

From our beloved Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam), we have the following gems about Love for Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and from Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa):
Narrated Hadhrat Anas: The Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said:

“Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith:
1. The one to whom Allah and His Apostle becomes dearer than anything else.
2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s sake.
3. Who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire.”
(Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 2, Number 15)

Narrated Hadhrat Abu Hurairah:
The Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said, “If Allah loves a person, He calls Gabriel saying, ‘Allah loves so and so; O Gabriel! Love him.’

Gabriel would love him and make an announcement amongst the inhabitants of the Heaven. ‘Allah loves so-and-so, therefore you should love him also,’ and so all the inhabitants of the Heaven would love him, and then he is granted the pleasure of the people on the earth.”  (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 54, Number 431)

Loving Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has the magnificent reward of love from Allah. This is a blessing conferred on few, but coveted by all. What greater blessing is there than Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s Love? So, let us not forget loving Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and Loving for the sake of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). This will open our hearts to the natural compassion and mercy which Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has given us. Remember, the Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) was the most kind to his companions. He was softhearted, and recognized their love for Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and for the sake of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).

Narrated Hadhrat ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab:
During the lifetime of the Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) there was a man called ‘Abdullah whose nickname was Donkey, and he used to make Allah’s Apostle laugh. The Prophet lashed him because of drinking (alcohol). And one-day he was brought to the Prophet on the same charge and was lashed. On that, a man among the people said, “O Allah, curse him! How frequently he has been brought (to the Prophet on such a charge)!” The Prophet said, “Do not curse him, for by Allah, I know for he loves Allah and His Apostle.”  (Sahih Al Bukhari: Volume 8, Book 81, Number 771)

Our Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) recognized that no one is perfect. The man did wrong, was punished for his sin, and his love for Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and His Messenger (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) were both acknowledged and accepted. Please let us never forget that a bad act does not wipe out the good that we do, and that one of the greatest goods is Love of and for the sake of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).

Let us not lose our mercy and compassion. Let us try to advise people to move forward in the best way possible, not as superiors looking down upon them. As one famous Sheikh said:

“We need to teach, not preach. People like explanation not confrontation.” We will never get anywhere with people if we do not recognize that they are people — like us — with the ability to do good and bad.

We are not perfect, so we should not expect anyone to be perfect. Only Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) is perfect. Islam is perfect. People are not. The best we can do is our best, and we should accept the same from others. We find it so easy to make excuses for our own mistakes. Let’s have the same ease for others, while never stopping our advice and our brother/sisterhood.

When dealing with Muslims, I beg you all to remember:

Narrated Hadhrat Abu Hurairah:

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if you were not to commit sin, Allah would sweep you out of existence and He would replace (you by) those people who would commit sin and seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would have pardoned them.  (Sahih Muslim: Book 36, Number 6622)

O Allah! I beg you to give us the love, fear, awe, respect and reverence for You. Please open our hearts and guide our deeds to the best for this life and the next.

O Allah! I beg You to grant us Jannah, forgive us our sins, and make us from the best of Your nation.

And O Allah, Al Wadud, Al Rahman, Al Raheem! I beseach You to Love us. Aameen!