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English_Biography_Shefa_of_Prophet_Muhammad, page : 270
The reality and meaning of loving the Prophet
There are differing opinions in what constitutes love of Allah and His Prophet and many things have been said about it, however the reality is that each differing party refers to different states.
Sufyan said, and perhaps he was thinking of the Words of Allah that say, "If you love Allah, follow me" (3:31). "Love consists of following the Messenger of Allah ."
Scholars have said:
"Love of the Messenger is to believe in his victory, to protect and obey his prophetic way, and being fearful of opposing it."
"Love is the constant remembrance of the beloved."
"It is longing for the beloved."
"Love is the heart that follows the will of its master, he loves what he loves and hates what he hates."
Most of these opinions indicate to the fruits of love rather than the reality of love. The reality of love is the inclination to what one finds agreeable and harmonious either by:
1. the pleasure of its perfection, such as the love of beautiful appearances, melodic tones, delicious food and tasty beverages, all of which one inclines naturally, because they are agreeable.
2. finding pleasure in the perfection of noble inner qualities which is experienced by the intellect as well as the heart, such as the love of the scholars of Islam, people with upright natures whose lives and deeds are exemplary. It is natural for a person to incline to a passionate form of love for such things almost to the extreme.
3. a person can love something on account of finding it agreeable to him by reason of receiving its benefit and blessings. It is a natural disposition to love what one finds to be good.
There are differing opinions in what constitutes love of Allah and His Prophet and many things have been said about it, however the reality is that each differing party refers to different states.
Sufyan said, and perhaps he was thinking of the Words of Allah that say, "If you love Allah, follow me" (3:31). "Love consists of following the Messenger of Allah ."
Scholars have said:
"Love of the Messenger is to believe in his victory, to protect and obey his prophetic way, and being fearful of opposing it."
"Love is the constant remembrance of the beloved."
"It is longing for the beloved."
"Love is the heart that follows the will of its master, he loves what he loves and hates what he hates."
Most of these opinions indicate to the fruits of love rather than the reality of love. The reality of love is the inclination to what one finds agreeable and harmonious either by:
1. the pleasure of its perfection, such as the love of beautiful appearances, melodic tones, delicious food and tasty beverages, all of which one inclines naturally, because they are agreeable.
2. finding pleasure in the perfection of noble inner qualities which is experienced by the intellect as well as the heart, such as the love of the scholars of Islam, people with upright natures whose lives and deeds are exemplary. It is natural for a person to incline to a passionate form of love for such things almost to the extreme.
3. a person can love something on account of finding it agreeable to him by reason of receiving its benefit and blessings. It is a natural disposition to love what one finds to be good.