Allah (SWT), Love For GOD The
Foundation.
The Noble Qur'an says: "The believers are
stronger in their love for Allah." (Surah Al-
Baqara, 2:165)
According to Islamic teaching, the minimum
expectation from believersis that God should
have the first place in their heart, in the sense
that no other love may override one's love for
God; God should be the highest and foremost
object of love. The Noble Qur'an says:
Say: If your fathers and your sons and your
brethren and your mates and your kinsfolk
and property which you have acquired, and
the slackness of trade which you fear and
dwellings which you like, are dearer to you
than Allah and His Messenger and striving in
His way, then wait till Allah brings about His
command: and Allah does not guide the
transgressing people. (Surah Al-Tawba, 9:24)
This verse clearly indicates that one'slove for
God has to be superior to one's love for
everything else that one may come to love in
one's life. This superiority shows itself when
the love for God and for His religion comes in
conflict with one's love for one's personal
belongings. In this case, a believer should be
able to sacrifice his personal favourite things
for the sake of God. For example, if God asks
us to give our lives to protect innocent lives or
our territorial integrity or the like, we should
not let our love for this world or any other
distraction i.e. family, wealth, power, etc.
prevent us from striving in His way. And
nothing should come into conflict with our
love for God. The Noble Qur'an says:
Allah has not made for any man two hearts in
his (one) body. (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:4)
Imam Ali (as) would always spend time with
his children. Once he was sitting in his house
with his young children. Sayyida Zainab (sa)
then asked, "Dear, father, do you love me?"
Imam Ali (as) said, "Yes, of course, my children
are like a part of my heart". On hearing this,
she said,"You also love Allah (SWT). How can
two loves be in one heart of a true believer,
the love of Allah (SWT) and that of children?"
Imam Ali (as) smiled and replied,"Love Allah
(SWT) and for the sake ofHis love, you love His
creatures; children and fellow beings too. I
loveyou for the sake of Allah (SWT)."
Hence love for God is the foundation of
Islamic belief, the foundation on which man is
to establish the principles of his faith (Iman).
Hence with one heart one cannot choose two
beloveds.
Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as) said once,"The heart
is the sanctuary of God, therefore do not
settle therein anything but God."
Hadith Qudsi says, "Neither [the vastness of]
My earth, nor [that of] My heaven can contain
Me. Indeed it is the heart of the man of faith
whichcan contain Me."
Urdu Couplet says: Kaba Kitna Khush Kismat
Hai, Ke Yeh Allah (SWT) Ka Ghar Hai, Lekin Is
Mein Allah Nahi Rehta, Momin Kaba Se Bhi
Ziada Khush Kismat Hai, Jis Ke Dil Mein Allah
(SWT) Rehta Hai.
The history of Islam is full of memories of
those who embodied a sincere and
overwhelming love for God and His religion.
One of those who full-heatedly devoted
himself to Islam was Bilal al-Habashi, a
blackslave. The pagans of Quraysh in Makkah
subjected him to torture asking him to
mention names of their idols express his
belief in them and disbelieve in Islam. They
tormented him under the burning Sun by
laying him on scorching sand and putting
heavy rocks on his chest. Abu Bakr, a rich
companion (Sahabi) of Prophet Muhammad
(saw), was passing by when he heard the cry
of Bilal. He went close and advised him to hide
his belief, but Bilal was not prepared to do so;
since "love was ever rebellious becomes
deadly."
Another example love for Islam is Imam
Hussayn ibn Ali (sa), who said:"Oh God, I have
left the world in Yourlove. Am ready to make
my children orphans in Your love. My heart
could not divert towards anybody but You.
Even if You cut my body into pieces inYour
love."