Loving the Prophet ﷺ

Meaning of loving the Prophet ﷺ

Love is one of the most powerful emotions human beings are blessed with. It draws people together so that they care for each other, show mercy and kindness, and occasionally, even endure hardship for the sake of those they love. The bond of love is present among people to various de- grees in the different social relationships they are in.
A person loves another for various reasons. Among the reasons why one person shows love to another is the recognition of the characteristics of goodness and perfection in the person. He also does so as a result of being overcome with the beauty of the other person. A third reason is the admission of the favors of the person on oneself. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the most beautiful being that walked on the face of the earth. He possessed qualities of goodness and justice and had a most complete character. He was sent as a Mercy to the worlds and he sacrificed a lot for the sake of man. So there is every reason why he he should be loved. Finally, a Muslims life is governed by the order of Allah ﷻ . Allah has instructed man to love Allah and His Messenger above all and everyone else. Muslims are herefore bound to develop a sense of deep respect, appreciation and love for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ . For these reasons, the Prophet is more deserving of their love and obedience than anyone else including themselves.

ٱلنَّبِىُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَأَزْوَٰجُهُۥٓ أُمَّهَـٰتُهُمْ ۗ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍۢ فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ إِلَّآ أَن تَفْعَلُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآئِكُم مَّعْرُوفًۭا ۚ كَانَ ذَٰلِكَ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مَسْطُورًۭا (سورة الأحزاب : ٦)

“The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers. And those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah than the [other] believers and the emigrants, except that you may do to your close associates a kindness [through bequest]. That was in the Book inscribed.” (Soorat al-Ahzaab: 6)

This means that, because of the Prophet’s ﷺ kindness and sincerity towards the believers he has greater authority over them than themselves. Whatever the Prophet instructs them to do, should have priority over what they choose for themselves.

The Prophet said;

عن أنس قال قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : لا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُم حَتَّى أَكُونَ أَحَبُ إليه من والده وَوَلَده والنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ (البخاري)

Anas reported that the Prophet said “None of you will have complete faith till he loves me more than his parent, his children and all of mankind.” (al-Bukhaari)

The general understanding gained from this narration is that a person’s faith is deficient if he or she does not love the Prophet ﷺ more than his father, his children and all mankind. It is therefore a matter of belief and, consequently a religious obligation to place love for the Prophet above love for everyone else.

عن عبد الله بن هشام قال: كُنَّا مَعَ النَّبي صلى الله عليه وسَلَّمَ وَهُوَ آخذ بيد عُمَرَ بْن الخطاب فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لأَنْتَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ إِلا مِنْ نَفْسِي فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ( لا وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ حَتَّى أَكُونَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ ) فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ فَإِنَّهُ الآن والله لأنْتَ أحَبُّ إلي من نَفْسي فَقَالَ النَّبيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ( الآن يا عُمَر ) ( صحيح البخاري)

‘Abdullaah ibn Hishaam narrated: “We were with the Prophet and he was holding the hand of Umar ibn Al-Khattab. Umar said to Him, “O Allah’s Apostle! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self.” The Prophet said, “No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self.” Then Umar said to him, “However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self.” The Prophet said, “Now, O Umar, (now you are a believer).” (al-Bukhaari)

This hadeeth indicates that to reach the highest level of faith one has to love Prophet ﷺ more than oneself.

عن أنس عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ( ثَلاثُ مَنْ كُنْ فِيهِ وَجَدَ حَلاوَةَ الإِيْمَانِ أَنْ يَكُونَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِمَّا سوَاهُمَا وَأَنْ يُحِبَّ المَرْءَ لا يُحبَهُ إلا لله وأَنْ يَكْرَهَ أَنْ يَعُودَ فِي الكُفْرِ كَمَا يَكْرَهُ أن يقذف في النار) (البخاري)

Anas narrated that the Prophet said, “Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith:

The one to whom Allah and His Apostle becomes dearer than anything else.
Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah’s sake.
Who hates to revert to disbelief as he hates to be thrown into the Fire.” (al-Bukhaan)

Having the sweetness of faith means to be contented with Iman, to take pleasure in performing acts of worship, and to patiently endure any difficulties that may arise from practicing Islam.
The concept of love is however not a shallow expression of love through the tongue. It is rather a practical demonstration of true love, care and respect expressed in a manner which illustrates this true love.

Muslims express their love for the Prophet ﷺ by:

Obeying him in every thing he has commanded them to do
Refraining from what he has prohibited
Honoring and respecting him
Imitating the Prophet’s way of life
Sending blessings and salutation on him abundantly

Learning from the lesson

It is a religious obligation to love the Prophet
Muslims should love the Prophet more than anyone else other than Allah ﷻ .
Muslims express their love for the Prophet ﷺ by obeying him and imitating his way of life.

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