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True Love of the Prophet (PBUH)

Allah has commanded in the Qur'an :

"O you who believe! Have Taqwah (true fear of Allah) according to His right and die not except that you are a Muslim. OMankind! Have Taqwah of your Lord. The One Who created you from a single soul and from him He created his mate and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual rights and do not cut off the ties of kinship; surely Allah is ever a Raqeeb (All-Watcher) over you. O you who believe! Have Taqwah of Allah and always speak the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (saws) he has indeed achieved a great achievement."

Verily, the best speech is the Book of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad ibnu 'Abd Allah (saws). The worst of all affairs in this Deen are innovations. Every innovation is a Bid'ah and every Bid'ah is a going astray and every going astray is in the Hell Fire.

Developing True Love for Allah's Messenger (saws):

Having the proper love for Allah's Messenger (saws) is a must for any Muslim who is striving to please his/her Lord and who seeks his/her Lord's Forgiveness. Learning how to

properly apply this love for the last Prophet (saws) is to properly implement the testimony: wa ash hadu ana Muhammadan rusulu Allah (saws).

Indeed, one cannot just say he/she loves the Prophet (saws) while his/her actions and 'Aqeedah are fundamentally against what the Prophet (saws) brought (i.e. the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah). Hence, the first step in the process of developing this love is to acknowledge that the Prophet (saws) has a claim over the believers.

Allah has said in the Qur'an:

"The Prophet (saws) is closer to the believers than their ownselves..."

(Qur'an Al-Ahzab: 6)

Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah (Rahimullah), one of the great scholars of this Ummah, relates that this Ayah means the Prophet (saws) has a "higher claim" on the believers than

they have on themselves. This claim involves two important matters:

1. We consider Allah's Messenger (saws) to be dearer than one's own self.

This is so because this claim is based on love. One has the most claims to oneself for one loves oneself more than anything. Thus, a person knows what types of foods, clothing, etc. he/she likes to eat, drink, etc. more than all others. However, when it comes to Islam, we know that Allah knows us better than we know ourselves; thus, we submit to Him and His Orders. When it comes to the Prophet (saws), we are to love him more than our own selves; thus, we too put his commandments above our own opinions, logic, etc.

Once this true love is established, compliance, obedience, satisfaction with his (saws) judgements, and other matters related to true love will follow. This is confirmed in the following authentic Hadith found in Sahih Al-Bukhari:

Narrated 'Abd Allah bin Hisham:

'We were with the Prophet (saws) and he was holding the hand of 'Umar ibnu Al-Khattab (ra). 'Umar said to him, "O Allah's Messenger (saws)! You are dearer to me than everything except my ownself." Allah's Messenger (saws) said: "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete Faith) untill I am dearer to you than your ownself." Then 'Umar (ra) said: "However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my ownself." He (saws) then said: "Now, O 'Umar, (now you are a believer)."

Lessons from this Hadith:

A. The Negation and Affirmation:

The Prophet (saws) negates (i.e. rejects, denies) that a person can have complete Imaan with his statement, "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is...". Thus, the affirmation,

or condition of having complete Imaan, follows: "...until I am dearer to you than your ownself...". Therefore, the Muslim will never attain true Imaan unless he/she considers

the Prophet (saws) to be dearer to him/her than everything including one's ownself.

B. Character of the Sahabah:

Upon hearing that true Imaan can only be achieved through loving the Messenger (saws) more than everything, including one's self, 'Umar (ra) quickly complied with the Commandment of the Prophet (saws). The Sahabah wasted no time in doing those acts which were pleasing to Allah and His Messenger (saws).

2. Second Important Matter:

The Messenger (saws) has more rule over an individual than that individual has over his/herself. This means that a person only does those actions, which are in accordance with

the Book of Allah and the authentic Sunnah of His Messenger (saws).

Therefore, three critical conditions must be fulfilled in order for a deed to be accepted:

a. One must confess his/her belief in Islam (i.e. one must be a Muslim).

b. One must have Ikhlas of the Niyah (i.e. purity of the intention).

c. One must do that deed in accordance with the Book of Allah and the authentic Sunnah

of His Messenger (saws).

If one of these conditions are not meet, that person's deed will not benefit him/her in the least. Of course, absence of knowledge is always an exception (e.g. a person may make

Wudhu but does not know the specific parts of the body that are to be washed; thus, he/she washes those parts, which he/she thinks to be significant. His/her Wudhu was not

done in accordance with the Book and the Sunnah; however, he/she did not know the way to make Wudhu according to the Book and the Sunnah; hence, their Wudhu would be accepted for a. and b. were fulfilled, wa Allahu 'alam). .

These are the conditions, which the Salaaf As-Salih (Pious Predecessors) understood with regards to the acceptance and rejection of a deed.

Another implications of the testimony: Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (saws).

Belief that He (saws) Was Sent to All of Mankind and The Jinn

Verily, Allah has said in the Qur'an :

"Say (O Muhammad (saws)): O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah - to Whom belongs the dominion of the Heavens and the Earth. La illaha illa

Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger (saws), the Prophet who can neither read nor write, who believes in Allah and His Words, and follow him so that you may be guided."

(Qur'an Al-A'raf: 158)

The Prophet (saws) said: "And the Prophets were formerly sent to their people only, whereas I have been sent to all mankind."

Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Therefore, recognizing that he (saws) was sent as a mercy to all of mankind will, Insha'Allah, help kindle the proper love for him which will be manifested through obedience to his rulings.

Finality Of His Prophethood

Indeed, there is no Messenger/Prophet after Muhammd ibnu 'Abd Allah (saws) as Allah, Ta 'Ala, says in His Book:

"Muhammad (saws) is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah, and the last (end) of the Prophets. Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything."

(Qur'an Al-Ahzab: 40)

The Prophet (saws) has said : "And the line of the Prophets is closed with me."

Muslim

Believing that Muhammad (saws) is the final Messenger of Allah confirms Allah's statement :

"...This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed my Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion..."

(Qur'an Al-Ma'idah:3 (in part)

Thus, if Islam were not a complete way of life, then this religion would need to be constantly updated. In order to update this religion, there would have to be another Prophet after Muhammad (saws). However, this is not so as Allah completed this Deen and it can never be changed from its true form.

Believing That He (Saws) Has Been Given Two (2) Relations

Al-Hamdulilah, Allah has given the Prophet (saws) two revelations. These are, of course, the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah. Allah confirms this with His saying :

"Nor does he (Muhammad (saws)) speak of his own desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired."

(Qur'an An-Najm: 3-4)

"Indeed, Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad (saws)) from among themselves, reciting unto them His Verses (the Qur'an), and purifying them (from sins by their following him), and instructing them (in) the Book (the Qur'an) and Al-Hikmah (the wisdom and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saws) - i.e. his legal ways, statements, actions, etc.), while before that they had been in manifest error."

(Qur'an Al-'Imran: 164)

The Prophet (saws) has also said:

"I have, indeed, been given the Qur'an and something like it along with it (i.e. his Sunnah)."

Abu Dawud

Thus, there is no mere choice between following the Sunnah and not following it. It has been sent down as part of revelation; thus, it must be adhered to in full. It is adhered to the way the Prophet (saws) explained it and the way the Sahabah understood it. Allah confirms this with His saying :

"We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by the permission of Allah."

"Obey Allah, and the Messenger (saws). But if they turn away (then know), that Allah loves not the infidels."

(Qur'an Al-'Imran: 31-32)

The Prophet Has Rights Upon His Followers

These rights are:

1. We believe in what the Prophet Muhammad (saws) has said.

2. We obey him in what has been commanded and forsake what he has forbidden or

discouraged.

3. We worship Allah according to the Shar'iah of His Messenger (saws), not by whims and Bid'ah

(innovations).

4. We judge ourselves by the Shar'iah of Prophet Muhammad (saws), and not by any other law.

5. We love Allah's Messenger (saws) more than our parents, Children, all of mankind, indeed our very selves.

Allah has confirmed the above with His statement:

"Say (to them O Muhammad (saws)): If you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins; Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Merciful. Say: Obey Allah, and the Messenger (saws), but if they turn away (then know), that Allah loves not the infidels."

(Qur'an Al-'Imran: 31-32)

"And let those who oppose his (Muhammad's (saws)) command beware, lest a trail befall them (that will lead them to Kuffur) or a painful punishment be inflicted on them."

(Qur'an An-Nur: 63)

"You have indeed a good example in the Messenger of Allah (saws) for whosoever hopes for Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much."

(Qur'an Al-Ahzab: 21)

"It is not for any believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger (saws) have decreed a matter, to have the choice in their affair. And whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger (saws) he has gone astray into manifest error."

(Qur'an Al-Ahzab: 36)

"But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad (saws)) judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against your decisions, but accept (them) fully with submission."

(Qur'an An-Nisa: 65)

Thus, we see in this last Ayah that Allah negates that a person can have Iman unless that person makes the Prophet (saws) judge in *all* affairs and that we accept his (saws) decisions with submission. This Ayah is indeed serious as Allah swears to this negation with His saying, "But no, by your Lord...".

The Prophet (saws) stressed the importance of obeying and following his Sunnah with his saying :

"All of my people will enter Jennah except those who refuse." When asked about those who refuse, he said: "He who obeys me will enter Jennah, while he who disobeys me has refused."

Al-Bukhari

He (saws) also said : "If anyone introduces into this affair of ours anything which does not belong to it, it is rejected."

Al-Bukhari and Muslim

And:

"None of you believes untill I am dearer to him than his father, his child, and all of mankind."

Al-Bukhari and Muslim

And:

"There are qualities for which anyone who is characterized by them will experiece the sweetness of Imaan: he to whom Allah and His Messenger (saws) are dearer than all else; he who loves a human being for Allah's Sake alone; and who has as great an abhorrence of returning to Kuffur (disbelief) after Allah has rescued him from it as he has being cast into the Hell Fire."

Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Although the Prophet (saws) is the best of examples and following his Sunnah is obligatory, we must remember that it is not right to overpraise him (saws) as he was not divine, but a man. Some deviant sects of Islam direct their 'Ibaadah to the Prophet (saws); however, this is Shirk Al-Akbar (association in the highest degree) which will not be forgiven unless that person makes sincere Tawbah before his/her death.

A "Man" And Not Divine

Allah says:

"Say (O Muhammad (saws)): I am only a man like you: it is revealed to me that your God is One God: So, let him who hopes for the meeting with his Lord, do righteousness, and not associate anything in the worship of hsi Lord."

(Qur'an Al-Kahf: 111)

The Prophet (saws) said:

"Do not over praise me as the Christians over praised the son of Mary (i.e. 'Isa (as). I am His slave, so say: Allah's slave and Messenger."

Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Sending Salaat and Salaam upon Prophet Muhammed (saws)

This is an action which the believer are commanded to do as Allah says in the Qur'an :

"Indeed, Allah and His angels send Salaat (i.e. Allah mentions the Prophet's (saws) name in the presence of the angels) upon the Prophet (saws). O you who believe! Send your Salaat and your Salaam upon him (ie. by saying Salla Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam, etc.)."

(Qur'an Al-Ahzab: 56)