Source : Areweprepared.ca / 8 Feb 2013

True Love

Say, [O Muhammad], "If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people." (9:24)

"None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to himself than his parents, his children, and all of mankind."(Bukhari and Muslim)

Narrated Anas: The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 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's sake.

3.Who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire". (Bukhari)

Why Love the Messenger?

Allah has commanded us to love him.

Allah loves him.

His beautiful character and impeccable manners.

None of us will be able to truly emulate him till we love him.

The struggles he went through to make sure Islam would reach us today.

His love and concern for us.

A person will be raised with those whom he loves.

Signs of Love for Him

Imitating and emulating him.

Loving what he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) loves.

Loving that with which he was sent (Qur'an and Sunnah)

Frequently sending Salah and Salam upon him.

Loving those whom he loved and those who love him.

Frequently remembering his life and ways.

Encouraging others to study his life and following his way.

 His Rights upon Us

To believe in him and everything he came with.

To obey him and make him reference point in our disputes. Allah says in the Qur'an: “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.” (4:59)

To study His life

To follow his way and emulate Him.

To send salah and salam upon Him.

To honour, love and respect Him.

To defend Him.