Love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)

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Once, a Sahaabi came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in a condition of sadness. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked him the reason for him feeling sad. The Sahaabi said:

“O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! You are more beloved to me than myself, my family and my children. Sometimes, when I am at home, I think of you, and I cannot wait until I come to you and look at your blessed countenance. When I contemplate about death, then I know that after passing away, you will be with the Ambiyaa and Rasuls in the highest stages of Jannah. As for myself, then if Allah Ta’ala grants me entry into Jannah, I fear that I will not be able to see you on account of the lofty rank and status which Allah Ta’ala will grant you in the Hereafter. It is for this reason that I am sad.”

Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remained silent and did not give the Sahaabi any answer, until Hazrat Jibraeel (‘alaihis salaam) came down with these verses.

وَ مَنۡ یُّطِعِ اللّٰہَ وَ الرَّسُوۡلَ فَاُولٰٓئِکَ مَعَ الَّذِیۡنَ اَنۡعَمَ اللّٰہُ عَلَیۡہِمۡ مِّنَ النَّبِیّٖنَ وَ الصِّدِّیۡقِیۡنَ وَ الشُّہَدَآءِ وَ الصّٰلِحِیۡنَ ۚ وَ حَسُنَ اُولٰٓئِکَ رَفِیۡقًا ﴿ؕ۶۹﴾

All those who obey Allah Ta’ala and the Messenger are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah Ta’ala; the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam), the Siddeeqeen, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are! (Surah Nisaa v. 69)

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then called the Sahaabi and gave him the glad tidings which Allah Ta’ala revealed in this verse. (Tafseer Ibnu Katheer 2/353 – 355)

In another Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “In the Hereafter, you will be with those whom you love (in this world).”

Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentions that after Islam, there was nothing that brought greater joy to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) than this glad tiding which they received from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) of gaining his companionship in the Hereafter. (Saheeh Bukhaari #3688, 6168)

Having love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is not only Fard (obligatory) upon every believer, but rather it is a requirement for one’s very imaan being accepted. If a person does not have love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he cannot be a believer.

Shariah has shown us the level of love we need to inculcate in our hearts for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

لاَ يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتّٰى أَكُوْنَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ وَالِدِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِيْنَ

“None of you can gain perfect imaan unless I become more beloved to him than his own parents, children and all the people.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #15)

Acquiring this level of love in our hearts for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the only way for us to gain success in this world and the next.

On one occasion, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) addressed Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saying, “O Rasul of Allah! I love you more than everyone, besides myself!”

Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “No, by the Being in whose hands my soul lies, (you can never be a perfect believer) until you have more love for me than your own self.”

Thereafter, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentioned, “O Rasul of Allah! I now love you more than everything, including myself.” Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “O Umar! Now (your imaan is perfect).” (Saheeh Bukhaari #6632)

When we study the lives of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), we find that it was this very quality of love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that earned them success in the sight of Allah Ta’ala.

It was on account of the deep and extraordinary love they possessed for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that they adhered to all his mubaarak teachings throughout their lives and they were prepared to sacrifice all their wealth and even lay down their lives for the sake of fulfilling his command.

In the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta’ala shows us which people we are allowed to have love for in our hearts and which people we are not allowed to have love for in our hearts.

We are only allowed to have love in our hearts for the believers. As for the disbelievers, we are not allowed to have love for them in our hearts. In regard to the disbelievers, Allah Ta’ala says:

یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَتَّخِذُوۡۤا اٰبَآءَکُمۡ وَ اِخۡوَانَکُمۡ اَوۡلِیَآءَ اِنِ اسۡتَحَبُّوا الۡکُفۡرَ عَلَی الۡاِیۡمَانِ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّتَوَلَّہُمۡ مِّنۡکُمۡ فَاُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الظّٰلِمُوۡنَ ﴿۲۳﴾

O you who have imaan! Do not take your fathers or your brothers as friends if they have preferred kufr over imaan. And whoever does so among you – then it is those who are the wrongdoers. (Surah Taubah v. 23)

In another verse, Allah Ta’ala says:

یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الۡیَہُوۡدَ وَ النَّصٰرٰۤی اَوۡلِیَآءَ ۘ بَعۡضُہُمۡ اَوۡلِیَآءُ بَعۡضٍ ؕ وَ مَنۡ  یَّتَوَلَّہُمۡ  مِّنۡکُمۡ فَاِنَّہٗ  مِنۡہُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ  لَا یَہۡدِی الۡقَوۡمَ  الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ ﴿۵۱﴾

O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and Christians as friends! They are friends of one another. And whoever befriends them from you, then he is one of them. Indeed Allah Ta’ala does not guide unjust people (to the right path). (Surah Maa’idah v. 51)

We are allowed to have business dealings with the kuffaar and we can also be kind towards them. However, we cannot take them as close friends and possess love for them in our hearts as they are the enemies of Allah Ta’ala and His beloved messenger Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

In regard to the believers, Shariah has commanded us to love the believers, however Shariah has also defined the limits of love we should have for them. We are allowed to show love to them on condition that it does not violate any law of Shariah.

Allah Ta’ala says:

قُلۡ اِنۡ کَانَ اٰبَآؤُکُمۡ وَ اَبۡنَآؤُکُمۡ وَ اِخۡوَانُکُمۡ وَ اَزۡوَاجُکُمۡ  وَ عَشِیۡرَتُکُمۡ وَ اَمۡوَالُۨ  اقۡتَرَفۡتُمُوۡہَا وَ تِجَارَۃٌ تَخۡشَوۡنَ  کَسَادَہَا وَ مَسٰکِنُ  تَرۡضَوۡنَہَاۤ  اَحَبَّ  اِلَیۡکُمۡ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ وَ رَسُوۡلِہٖ  وَ جِہَادٍ فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِہٖ فَتَرَبَّصُوۡا حَتّٰی یَاۡتِیَ اللّٰہُ بِاَمۡرِہٖ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ  لَا یَہۡدِی الۡقَوۡمَ  الۡفٰسِقِیۡنَ ﴿٪۲۴﴾

Say, (to your Ummah, O Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)), “If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and homes with which you are pleased, are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and Jihaad in His path, then wait until Allah brings about His decision (of punishment), and Allah does not guide the sinning people (to the right path). (Surah Taubah v. 24)

On one occasion, Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah) was teaching the Hadith lesson in Daar-ul-Uloom Deoband when the Hadith was mentioned in which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said,

لاَ يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتّٰى أَكُوْنَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ وَالِدِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِيْنَ

“None of you will attain perfect imaan until I become more beloved to him than his father, his child and all the people.”

On hearing this Hadith, Moulana Manaazir Ahsan Gilaani (rahimahullah), a student of Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah), said to Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah), “Hazrat! Every Muslim has love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) more than anything or anyone else in the world, because if any non-muslim speaks against Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then a muslim will become upset and he will defend Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Based on this Hadith, every Muslim should be a perfect believer and have perfect imaan!”

Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah) replied, “Standing up to defend Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is not the proof that one loves Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) the most. At times, a person will stand up to defend Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), but in his own personal life, he himself is disobeying Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in many aspects. Hence, how much a person truly loves Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will only be seen at the time of a test in his life (for instance when a person’s wife or children ask him to do something that is against the Shariah e.g. bring the TV in the house, or at the time of the nikaah or waleemah, his family or friends want him to conduct the function against the laws of Shariah e.g. by having it with intermingling, music and photography, or he is invited towards a lucrative business deal that is against Shariah e.g. where there is the element of riba found in it, or his nafs wants to commit a sin) –  at that time it will be seen who he obeys. At that critical juncture, if he gives preference to pleasing Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) over everybody else, then his claim of love will be true.” (Ihaata-e-Daarul Uloom me bete huwe din Pg. 127-128)

The Ulama explain that there are four rights which we owe Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam):

(1) The first right is that we should bring imaan in him being the Rasul of Allah Ta’ala.

(2) The second right is that we should have the greatest love for him in our hearts from the entire creation.

(3) The third right is that we should follow his mubaarak teachings and adhere to his mubaarak sunnah in all facets of our lives.

(4) The fourth right is that we should recite abundant durood upon him.

Our love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) should be such that we remember him every day of our lives, and we follow his mubaarak sunnah in the way he wanted. We should not only remember Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) on certain select occasions, such as only in the month of Rabee’-ul-Awwal, and be like the kuffaar who only earmark certain days to respect certain people such as mothers’ day, fathers’ day, etc. This is undoubtedly showing gross ingratitude for the favour of Allah Ta’ala upon us of making us the ummatis and followers of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was the imaam of all the Ambiyaa and Rasuls (‘alaihimus salaam), and the greatest of all the creation. Hence, from all the creation, we should show him the greatest love and respect. Showing him the greatest love and respect will take place through us following his mubaarak lifestyle in all facets of our lives and staying away from the sins he prohibited the ummah from.

We should refrain from emulating the kuffaar in our dressing, our lifestyle, our business dealings, and getting involved in all haraam activities which the kuffaar promote against the way of Islam and the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). This was the way the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) showed their loyalty to Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), by following the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) throughout their lives and refraining from the ways of the kuffaar.

We all claim to be true lovers of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, we should ask ourselves, “Are we true in our claim of love?” In any court of law, if person makes a claim, then he is required to provide proof for his claim.

In the Quraan Majeed, Allah Ta’ala explains to us that the sign of a believer being true in his claim of love is that he follows the mubaarak sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in all facets of his life. Allah Ta’ala says:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ‎

Say (to your Ummah O Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)), “If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)), Allah will love you and forgive you for your sins, and Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

It is reported in the Hadith:

كُلُّ أُمَّتِيْ يَدْخُلُوْنَ الْجَنَّةَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَبٰى  قَالُوْا: يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ وَمَنْ يَأْبَى قَالَ: مَنْ أَطَاعَنِيْ دَخَلَ الجَنَّةَ وَمَنْ عَصَانِيْ فَقَدْ أَبٰى

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Every ummati will enter Jannah except for those who refuse.” The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) asked, “Who are those who refuse?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Those who obey me will enter Jannah, and those who disobey me (and do not want follow my way), they have refused (and they will enter Jahannum)” (Saheeh Bukhaari #7280)

There are many incidents in the lives of Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) which show how they loved Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and how this love caused them to follow each and every sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and give preference to his commands over everything else.

Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) Wearing His Lower Garment in the Sunnah Manner

In the year 6 AH, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) set out from Madinah Munawwarah and came to Makkah Mukarramah to perform Umrah. However, the Quraish of Makkah Mukarramah did not allow them entry into Makkah Mukarramah and did not allow them to perform Umrah.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) first intended to send Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to negotiate with the Quraish. However, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) addressed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Rasul of Allah! The Quraish hate me, and if they get hold of me, they will kill me. If you still wish to send me, then I am happy to go. However, I suggest that you send Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as the Quraish respect him.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) accepted this suggestion and sent Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to Makkah Mukarramah.

On coming to Makkah Mukarramah, Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was received and hosted by his cousin, Abaan bin Sa’eed bin Aas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), who had not yet accepted Islam (but later on accepted Islam and became a Sahaabi). Abaan honoured him and seated him behind him on his camel, but on looking at the clothing of Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he remarked, “O Uthmaan! Your lower garment is above your ankles! This is not in keeping with the style of this land and the Quraish will not view you favourably if you appear before them like this!”

However, Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was not concerned in the least. He kept his lower garment above his ankles and said:

هٰكَذَا كَانَتْ إِزْرَةُ صَاحِبِيْ

This is how my beloved friend (Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)) wears his lower garment (and hence I will not leave his way for any other way) (Musannaf Ibnu Abi Shaybah #38007 & Bidaayah wan Nihaayah 4/169, 6/214)

Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) Staying Away from a Waleemah

Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was once invited to a waleemah. As he drew close to the gathering, he heard the sound of music being played at the waleemah, and immediately turned away and refrained from attending.

When he was later asked as to why he had returned and did not attend, he said, “I heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saying,

مَنْ كَثَّرَ سَوَادَ قَوْمٍ فهُوَ مِنْهُمْ

‘The one who adds to the numbers of a people (involved in sin) will be counted from among them (in the sight of Allah Ta’ala).’” (Ithaaful Khiyarah #3297)

Hazrat Jassaamah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) Not Sitting on the Golden Chair of Hiraql

During the era of his khilaafah, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) once sent Hazrat Jassaamah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to meet with Hiraql, the Roman ruler, to invite him to Islam.

When the Sahaabi came before Hiraql, Hiraql gave him a royal reception and placed a golden chair for him to sit on. Hiraql was hoping to impress the Muslims with his wealth so that he could perhaps buy them out.

Hazrat Jassaamah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) sat on the chair, but on realizing that it was made from gold, he immediately woke up. Hiraql was surprised and asked him, “We placed this golden chair for you to sit on, out of honour for you. Why is it that you do not wish to sit on it?”

Hazrat Jassaamah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) prohibited us from using gold and silver in this world. It is only for us to use in the Aakhirah.” (Al-Isaabah 1/572)

Firm Commitment of Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah) to Upholding the Command of Purdah

After Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah) was released from prison and returned to India, his entire family was extremely grateful to Hazrat Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (rahimahullah) for all the khidmat he made for his respected Ustaad, Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah), in the prison of Malta. In fact, Hazrat Moulana Madani (rahimahullah) had handed himself over to the British to take him as a prisoner so that he could make his Ustaad’s khidmat in the prison.

However, from his entire family, it was the wife of Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah) who was most affected. The reason is that Hazrat Moulana Madani (rahimahullah) had grown up in front of her in Deoband. As a young boy, he would always be in and out of their home. Hence, she took him like a son and would always show him great affection.

Now, many years later, when she was advanced in age, she wished to see Moulana Madani (rahimahullah), without the purdah, so that she could personally thank him and express her gratitude to him for looking after Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah).

When she mentioned this to Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah), he addressed her in a most gentle manner and said, “Even if my own son had to be imprisoned with me, he would not have served me in the manner that Husain Ahmad served me. My heart also desires that you could have thanked him in person. However, you must understand that the law of Shari’ah is that purdah be observed between non-mahrams. Hence, if you go in front of him to thank him without observing purdah, you will be sinful.”

The wife of Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah) was a pious woman who possessed the fear of Allah Ta’ala. Hence, she accepted what Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hind (rahimahullah) said, and whenever Hazrat Moulana Madani (rahimahullah) would come to visit, she ensured that she remained behind the purdah. (Jawaahir Paare 1/186)