CLASS NOTES: The 5th Condition...Al-Mahabbah (Love)

In class, We’ve arrived to the fifth condition which is Al-Mahabbah or the Love. Love meaning Love for the statement “La Illaha IllAllaah” and that which it indicates. The Love negates the Hatred. The proof for Love being a condition of La Illaha IllAllaah is in Qur’an (2:165) where Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala states:
    
    “And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allaah as rivals (to Allaah). They love them as they love Allaah. But those who believe, love Allaah more (than anything else)……”

The Scholars have mentioned that the meaning of this ayah is that from amongst the people are those who take from besides Allaah equals, loving them as they love Allaah.

1. The polytheists love their false deities as they love Allaah.
2. The polytheists love their false deities as the believers love Allaah.

Regarding the believers being more strong in the Love for Allaah, the scholars have given two(2) statements for this meaning:

1. The believers love Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala more than the disbelievers love Allaah.
2. The believers love Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala more than the polytheists love their falses deities (their idols).

Also taken from Ahlil Ilm, are the different categories of Love in three(3) sets:

The 1st set (divided into 3):

1. Love for Allaah - (this does not negate Tawheed, rather it is from it‘s completion)
Example(s): Love for the sake of Allaah
The strongest bonds in faith are the Love for the sake of Allaah and the Hate for the sake of Allaah.

2. Natural Love - (that which the person doesn’t prefer over the Love of Allaah, this does not negate the Love for Allaah).
Example(s): love of a spouse, love of a child, love of wealth, food, drink and clothing.

Based upon this is when The Prophet SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam was questioned; “Who are the people most beloved to you?” He said, “Aisha.” And when asked from amongst the men, he said , “Aisha’s father.”

3. Loving along with Allaah - (which negates the Love of Allaah)
that there is love for other than Allaah, equal to or more than the love for Allaah.
Example(s): Things other than Allaah conflicting with the Love for Allaah and one gives precedence to other than Allaah to love equal to or more than Allaah.

The 2nd set (divided into 2):

1. Love of servitude - (must be sincerely for Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala Alone)
It is not permissible to direct this type of Love to other than Allaah, just as it is not permissible to prostrate to other than Allaah.

As mentioned by the Scholars, this type of Love entails one to lower and humble oneself, restricting this to be solely for the one who is loved. To display unconditional love and obedience. This type of Love is only for Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala.

It is mentioned by Shaykhul Islam Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah rahimahullâh : “That the worship of the Most Merciful, it is the utmost form of His Love, along with the servant lowering himself. These two matters are the pivots of worship.”

2. Love which is not from love of servitude - (has 4 types)

1. Natural Love (food, drink, spouse and other permissible matters which entails pleasure)
2. Love of Honor (Like a child’s love for their parents. Parents who are not of the polytheists or disbelievers)
Example: The child loves the parent(s) with respect because the parent(s) have raised them correctly and treated them well.
3. Love of Mercy (Like a parent loves a child)
4. Love of Companionship (business partner, colleague, travel partner)

*Note: These 4 types mentioned are not from the types of Ibaadah because in these types of love, you do not have one lowering oneself to the one who is loved, as one would do with Allaah Subhanhu wa at ala.

The 3rd set (divided into 3):

1. Love of Allaah (from Ibaadah)
2. Loving for the sake of Allaah
Example(s): Love for the Messengers and  the Righteous
3. Loving along with Allaah

These are very important to know when it comes to our relationship with Allaah Subhanhu wa at ala and our relationship with one another and how we view us to be.
This also indicates that we have to turn back to the Scholars of al-Islam for the clarity. As for example, you find sometimes that an individual may criticize a person for them saying that they love their (disbelieving) mother saying that we are not suppose to love the disbelievers. Which is true from one aspect, but then from another aspect, the person is not blamed. We do not love the disbelievers with the religious love whether they are our family or not. Meaning we do not love their practices of disbelief and shirk, but to have the natural love for them, as the Scholars have mentioned from the different types of categories of Love. And the Natural Love is something that a person is not blamed for, rather the person is blamed for the religious love and if one falls into this, it will invalidate their Islam, because we have to Love what Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala Loves and Hate what Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala Hates.


These classes by our brother Abu Yusuf Khaleefa are on Paltalk (religion>Islam>What is Islam1) on Wednesdays and Sundays @ 9pm est
For previous class recordings please visit : http://whatisislam1.multiply.com

May Allaah guard and protect us from loving other than Him, equal to or more than Him and increase us in eemaan and knowledge of this beautiful religion, Aameen.