Excerpt from this article:
The Believer’s Love for Allah
Tawhid of Love
(DR: The Oneness of love)
And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allāh as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allāh. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allāh. And if only they who have wronged would consider [that] when they see the punishment, [they will be certain] that all power belongs to Allāh and that Allāh is severe in punishment. (Qur’an, 2:165)
Ibn Al-Qayyim states that worship equals love plus submission and humility.
It is possible that you may submit to your boss without loving them, or that you may love your children without submitting to their demands. In both cases, it’s not a relationship of worship.
However, there’s a simple way to determine whether or not you’ve allowed yourself to become submissive to your loved ones instead and are putting them before Allah. Just ask yourself if you put their desires, feelings, and requests above the commands of Allah.
Similarly, do you unflinchingly follow fashion trends, even if they don’t conform to the laws of Islam? Would you rather avoid hurting the feelings of your friends by joining their unlawful mixed-gender gatherings? Are you loyal to your political party, despite them not adhering to the Shari’ah?
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And, perhaps more critically, can’t you abandon a Haram relationship for the sake of Allah?
In fact, depending on the degree, if someone’s rational love (hubb ‘aqli) for something supersedes their rational love for Allah then this could even be Shirk. Additionally, an all-consuming submissive love towards someone or something will inevitably lead to breaking the laws of Allah.
Love for Allah Is a Shield Against Immortality
And very truly, she had [firmly] set her desire on him. And he [too] would have set his desire on her had he not seen a [guiding] proof [from his Lord]. In this way did We turn evil and lewdness away from him. Indeed he was one of Our sincere, elect servants. (Qur’an, 12:24)
This Ayah mentions how Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was tested with an attempt at seducing him. Interestingly, Ibn Al-Qayyim explains how Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) could resist her advances—while being a single man—due to his his heart already being whole, full to the brim with love for Allah.
On the other hand, despite the woman Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was serving being married, she fell into this pitfall because her soul was empty.
In fact the cure that Ibn Al-Qayyim proposes, in his book
Al-Jawab Al-Kafi, is the love of Allah. To provide some context here,
Al-Jawab Al-Kafi is a entire book dedicated towards responding to a question about curing sins of affection. This is also the first book I’d recommend to anyone looking to become familiar with the works of Ibn Al-Qayyim.
Simply put, you wouldn’t sacrifice your greatest love for some mere fleeting pleasures, which is why it is necessary for us to fill our hearts with Allah’s love.
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