Answer
Short Answer:
- Allah Most High is the source of all love as we know it
- The love for the sake of Allah is important for every relationship – in friendship, romance, and even yourself.
- Loving somebody for the sake of Allah is, in part, to recognize their rights as human beings and love them as Allah’s creation.
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was very kind and loving to each of his wives. As he loved them all for the sake of Allah he tried his best to always do right by them all.
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Asalaam Alaikum,
Thank you for contacting us at About Islam. This is such a lovely question honestly, and I love discussing the topic of love in all of its forms. Divine love and how it interacts with our own ability to love is so precious.
Loving for the Sake of Allah or the Sake of myself?
Allah Most High is the source of all love as we know it. The idea of loving somebody for the sake of Allah is most popularly talked about in a friend-to-friend way these days. This love for the sake of Allah is important for every relationship – in friendship, romance, and even yourself.
Sahl bin Mu’adh Al-Juhni narrated from his father that the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Whoever gives for the sake of Allah, withholds for the sake of Allah, loves for the sake of Allah, hates for the sake of Allah, and marries for the sake of Allah, he has indeed perfected his faith.” (Graded Hasan/fair in Jami’ Tirmidhi)
One of Allah’s names is al-Wadud, which points to a rather active act of loving His creation and giving us the ability to love one another. It is a blessing to use this gift from Allah Most High towards the people we care about as well as ourselves.
The Prophet’s Love For His Wives
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was very kind and loving to each of his wives. It was known that he loved Aisha the most, as far as his feelings go.
‘Amr ibn Al-‘As reported: I said, “Which person is most beloved to you?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Aisha.” I said, “I mean among men.” The Prophet said, “Her father.” I said, “Then who?” The Prophet said, “Umar ibn al-Khattab,” and he mentioned some other men. (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
He had a preference for Aisha as far as his feelings went, but he gave each wife their rights. It was because he (peace be upon him) loved them all for the sake of Allah that he tried his best to always do right by them all.
To Know Love Is to Know Allah
To love somebody for the sake of Allah (SWT) is, in part, to recognize their rights as human beings and love them as Allah’s creation. This reality can overlap personal feelings since it is a form of appreciation.
In short, you can love somebody for the sake of Allah (SWT) and just because you think they’re quite lovely – they’re not at odds with each other. One can also love themselves for the same reason. Your soul is valuable and precious.
“Successful indeed is the one who purifies their soul,” (Quran 91:9)
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps.
Salam and please keep in touch.
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