بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
نحمد الله العلي العظيم ونصلي على رسوله الكريم وآله وأصحابه وأهل بيته أجمعين

How Much Love for Rasulullah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

and Ahlul Bayt are the Believers Required to Possess?

Muhammad Sa'id Hunafa Qadiri

A’oothu Billahi min ash shaytanir rajim Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Nahmaduhu wa Nusalli ‘alaa Rasulihil Kareem. Was Salaatu was Salaamu ‘alaa Sayyidil Ambiyaa’ wal Mursaleen.  Sayyidinaa Wa Shafee’enaa wa Habeebinaa wa Nabiyyinaa wa Mawlaanaa Muhammadin Abdika Wa Rasulikan Nabiyyil Ummiyy wa ‘alaa Aalihi wa Ashaabihi wa Azwaaji wa Ahli Bayti wa Dhurriyaatihi wa Ummatihi ajma’eena birahmatika Yaa Ar Hamar Rahimn.,  

Wa Qaal Allahu ta ‘alaa fi Kalaamihil Majid:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ [٣:٣١]

قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ [٣:٣٢]

Qul Atwiullaha war Rasul, Fain tawallaw fa inn Allaha

laa yuhibbul Kafireen

Qaala Nabiyyu Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim;

لَا يُؤمِنُ اَحَدَكُمْ حَتَّى اَكُوُنُ اَحَبَّ إِلَيهِ مِنْ وَالِدِهِ وَ لَدِهِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِين

Laa yu’minu ahadukum hatta akoono ahabba ilayhi min waalidi wa walidihi wan naasi ajma’een.

For the true believers, Hubbur Rasul total and complete love of Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallim is a requirement of Imam.  Allahu ta ‘ala ‘ala has equated loving Him  with obeying and emulating the Noble and Blessed Character of the Best of created beings Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallim.  Allahu Subhana Hu has also tied His forgiveness with following and emulating the Best of Creation Khayri Khalqillah Rasuli Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallim. It is not possible to sincerely follow someone or to obey someone with absolute surrender until and unless one loves, respects and reveres that individual more than oneself and ones desires.  Therefore it is not possible to Love Allahu ta ‘ala without also loving and obeying and showing the proper respect to our Master Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Sallim.

Excessive Love of Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim?

There are those who say that our love for Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim is excessive.   That we love Sayyidinaa Rasul Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim too much.  The very nature of true love is that one loses him or herself in the object of love.  Allahu ta ‘ala is commanding us to lose ourselves in the love of the Holy Last Messenger Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim. There is no such thing as excessive love for Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallim. 

The great Lover of Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim Al Imam Busiri Radhi Allahu ‘anhu begins him monumental testimony of love “Qasidah Burdah” with these word:

1. 1.Is it because of your remembrance of the neighbors of Dhi-salam. [1]
2. 2.That tears mixed with blood are flowing (from your eyes). [2]
3. 3.Or is it because of the breeze blowing from Kaazimah.
4. 4.is it the lightning struck in the darkness of the night Idam
5. 5.What has happened to your eyes, (the more) you tell them to stop, the more they continue flowing. [3]
6. 6.What is the matter with your heart, (the more) you tell it to come to its senses, and (the more it is distracted)? [4]
7. 7.Does the lover think that his love can be concealed?
8. 8.While his eyes are shedding tears and his heart is glowing.
9. 9.Had it not been for the love, you would not have shed tears at the ruins (of your beloved).
10. 10.Nor would you become restless at the remembrance of the cypress (tree) the high mountain.
11. 11.How do you deny love after the testimony?
12. 12.Borne against you by (such) reliable witnesses as your tears and your illness. [5]
13. 13.Love has ingrained two lines of fear, and withered your face,
14. 14.On your cheeks like yellow rose and the reddish tree.
15. 15.Yes! Thoughts of the beloved came to me at night and kept me awake.
16. 16.And love transforms pleasure into pain.[6]
17. 17.You who reproach me, regarding my love, excuse me.
18. 18.From me to you, if you do justice, you would not reproach me.
19. 19.My state (of love) has been expressed to you, (now) my secret is no longer concealed
20. 20.From those who malign (me), nor is there (something to) check my agony.
21. 21.You have sincerely advised me, I did not heed it.
22. 22.For verily a lover is deaf to those who advise him.
23. 23.I regarded with suspicion the advice of the elders in reproaching me.[7]
24. 24.(Wisdom) in the advice of the elders is above suspicion. [8]

Hear and Obey

About the command to Hear and Obey Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim Allahu ta ‘ala says:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ [٣:٣١]

Qul In kuntum tuhibbun Allaha Fat tabi’oonee, yuhbibkumullahu wa yaghfirlakum dhunoobakum, Wallahu Ghafurur Rahim

Say, (O Rasuli Akram, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.

Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

(Al-Qur'an Majid 3:31)

Here, loving Allahu ta ‘ala has been coupled with following His Beloved.  It is not possible to say one loves Allahu ta ‘ala without hearing and obeying Rasulullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim. From this it should be quite clear that obedience to the commands send down from Allahu ta ‘ala and those delivered by His Beloved Habibullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim, are the very foundation of Iman.  Allahu ta ‘ala says:

قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ [٣:٣٢]

Say: Obey Allah and the Messenger. But if they turn away,

 lo! Allah loves not the disbelievers (in His guidance).  

(Al-Qur'an Majid 3:32)

and,

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ [٣:١٣٢]

Qul: Atwiullaha war Rasoola la’allakum turhamoon.

And obey Allah and the messenger, that ye may find mercy.

(Al-Qur'an Majid 3:132)

Obedience to Allahu ta ‘ala and obedience to Rasulullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim are so important that Allahu ta ‘ala threatens with Jahannam anyone who refuses to obey him.  Allahu ta ‘ala includes Habibullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim at every place he mentions obedience to Himself.  This serves to highlight the Exalted Most position of Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim.  Allahu ta ‘ala says:

وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَهُ يُدْخِلْهُ نَارًا خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَلَهُ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ [٤:١٤]

Wa may ya’swillaaha wa Rasulahu wa yata’adda hudoodahu yudkhilhu naaran khaalidan feehaa.

Wa lahoo ‘athaabum muheen.

And whoso disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits, He will make him enter Fire, where he will dwell forever;his will be a shameful doom.

(Al-Qur'an Majid 4:14)

Love of Rasulullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallim a requisite of Imaan

Getting to the point, we quote the Master Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram Rasulullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim with reference to how much the believer must love him.  This should be enough for anyone who believes in Allahu ta ‘ala and the reality of having to stand before him on Yawmul Qiyaamah.

Sayyidinaa Abu Hurairah Radhi Allahu ‘anhu  reported that Rasulullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim said, "By Him in Whose Hands my life is, none of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father and his children."  [Sahih Bukhari]

Sayyidinaa Anas ibn Malik radhi Allahu anhu reports that the Prophet (Rasulullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim) said, "None of you will have true Imaan [faith] till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind." [Sahih Bukhari]

لَا يُؤمِنُ اَحَدَكُمْ حَتَّى اَكُوُنُ اَحَبَّ إِلَيهِ مِنْ وَالِدِهِ وَ لَدِهِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِين

Laa yu’minu ahadukum hatta akoono ahabba ilayhi min waalidi wa walidihi wan naasi ajma’een.

Sayyidinaa Anas ibn Malik Radhi Allahu ‘anhu further reports that Rasulullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallim said, "Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith. The one to whom Allah and His Rasul become dearer than anything else. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake. Who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire." [Sahih Bukhari]

Loving the blessed family of the Beloved of Allahu ta ‘ala

ذَلِكَ الَّذِي يُبَشِّرُ اللَّهُ عِبَادَهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ قُلْ لا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَى وَمَنْ يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةً نَزِدْ لَهُ

فِيهَا حُسْنًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ

This is that whereof Allah gives Glad Tidings to His Servants, who believe and do righteous deeds. Say: "No compensation do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin." And if any one earns any good, We shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service). (Al-Qur'an Majid, 42:23)

About this ayatul karimah;

It is recorded in the Sunan of Sa'eed Ibn Mansoor from Sa’eed ibne Jubair that, the people whose love has been made obligatory in the Qur'anic ayat, “Say I do not ask for any compensation for this except the love of my nearest relatives”; [Al mawaddata fil qurbaa] are those nearest and to the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim).

Ibn Abi Hatim narrates from Sayyidinaa Ibne Abbas regarding the ayat of Quran: “...and whoever earns good,” Sayyidinaa Ibne Abbas said that it refers to those who love Aale Muhammad.” And it is narrated from Imam Hasan (Radhi Allahu ‘anhu) that he said, “earning of good is loving us Ahle Bayt (Ridhwaan Allahu alaihim ajma’een).” It is the honor achieved only through the love and attachment of the Ahle Bayt (Ridhwaan Allahu ta ’ala alaihim ajma’een)

Defending our love of Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim

Throughout Islamic history the Awliyaa Ulama ul Haqq have taught that love and respect of Sayyidinaa Rasuli Akram Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim and Ahlul Bayt Ridhwaan Allahu ta ‘ala alaihim ajma’een are basic and fundamental requirements of Islam and Iman. Because of the anti-Ahlul Bayt propaganda of certain upstart modernist groups, many Muslims young and old are confused as to the correct position one should take. During the era of the Sahabah Kiram Ridhwaan Allahu ta ‘ala alaihim ajma’een, there was never need to defend loving Rasulullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim or Ahlul Bayt Ridhwaan Allahu ta ‘ala alaihim ajma’een. There was never a need to defend respecting the beloved family or choosing allegiance with the descendants of the Best of Creation Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim.

An Nabiy Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim is instructing us, is warning us that there is no khair [good] in any of our actions, there is no honor until and unless we love and attach ourselves to Ahlul Bayt and the ‘Ulema and Awliyya of Ahlul Bayt  and those attached to them, Ridhwaan Allahu ta ‘ala ‘alaihim ajma’een.

Proof of the soundness of the position of the qualified Ulama ul Haqq that Love of Ahlul Bayt is a requirement of Iman, is the hadith reported by Imam Jalaaludeen Suyuti Rahimuhullah in his “Ihyaa al Mayyit bi Fadhaail Ahlul Bayt:

Ahmed, Tirmidhi, Sihah, Nasai and Hakim have all narrated through Mataalab bin Rabi’ah that Rasulullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim) said: “By Allah! Iman [true belief] cannot enter the heart of anyone if he does not love my nearest relatives for the sake of Allah and for the sake of the nearest relatives.”

This hadith alone should be enough to convince the believer of the necessity of loving and following Ahlul Bayt.

In the west because of the influence and propaganda of misguided upstart modernist movements, and supporters of the cursed Yazid, many Muslims who love and respect Ahlul Bayt are afraid to proclaim it. Some of us are afraid to stand up for our Sayyid’s both literally and figuratively. Al Imam Sheikh Sayyid Mubarak Ali Shah Jilani Hafidhahullahu the son of Rasulullah Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim mentioned that the Muslims in the west do not know how to honor their scholars, their elders and seniors. He also mentioned that “Adaab comes from the heart”. Meaning thereby that when one loves someone with all sincerity, there is the natural inclination of the heart towards loving, honoring and respecting them.  It naturally follows that one prefers the one he or she loves over oneself and relents to them.  If we sincerely love and respect someone we automatically know how to show them that love and respect.

Maulana Jalaaludeen Suyuti Rahimahullah mentions another hadith;

Ahmad and Abu Yaala relate from Abu Sa’eed Khudri radhi Allahu ‘anhu that the Rasulullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim) remarked: “In the near future I would be summoned by Allah and I would respond. I leave amongst you two weighty things, The Book of Allah and my Progeny, my Ahle Bayt [Kitabullah wa Itratiy Ahli Bayti]. The All-Aware and the Kind Allah has informed me that these two will not separate till they reach me at the Haudh (Tank of Kauthar). So take care as to how you behave with them.

In another hadith Maulana Jalaaludeen Rahmatullahi ‘alaih mentions;

Tirmidhi, Husnah and Tibrani quote Sayyidinaa Ibne Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim.) said:

 “Love Allah for His countless bounties upon you and love me because you love Allah, and love my Ahle Bayt because of your love me.”

Further;

Tibrani also mentions the following tradition in his book Al-Awsat. Imam Hasan ibne ‘Ali (‘alaihi salaam) reports from the Rasulullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim) that he said: “Strive hard to achieve love and affection of us Ahle Bayt, and consider it as obligatory for yourselves, always. The truth is that whoever meets Allah while he loves us will enter Paradise through my intercession. By the One who controls my life! No deed can benefit a servant if he does not recognize our rights.”

Al Imam Khatib al-Baghdadi in this Tarikh (history) records a tradition of Sayyidinaa ‘Ali (Karam Allahu wajhahu) wherein he refers to the words of The Holy Last Messenger (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim.):

“My intercession for my Ummah (people) is for those who love my Ahle Bayt (Ridhwaan Allahu ta ‘ala alaihim ajma’een).”

Love is such that if it is true it manifests itself outwardly. The lover becomes restless always seeking the face of the beloved. The lover seeks ways to please the beloved, looking for ways to make the way easier for the object of one’s affection. An Nabiyyul Kareem Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim alludes to this as he Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim says; “So take care as to how you behave with them”.

Our obligations to Ahlul Bayt

We are obligated to manifest our belief, our love with action. Al Imam Nu’man bin Thaabit al Kufa Sayyidinaa Imam Abu Hanifah Radhi Allah ‘anhu took the position than Iman must be accompanied with action if the iman is true iman. He based his position on ayah in Suratul Asr wherein Allahu ta ‘ala says:

“Indeed mankind is doomed, except those who have iman and follow it up with righteous deeds” Suratul ‘Asr

What are the believers’ obligations with reference to Ahlul Bayt? In this too our beloved Habib Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim has not left us without clear instructions.

Again referring to the collection of 60 Ahadith on the Fadhaail of Ahlul Bayt collected by Maulaana Jalaaludeen Suyuti, [may Allahu ta ‘ala allow us to repay this debt to him by remembering him in our dua’s and sending thawaab on him from our salawaat and salaam];

Daylami also mentions that Sayyidinaa ‘Ali (Karam Allahu wajhahu) quoted the Messenger of Allah as saying: “I will intercede for four kinds of people:

(1) Those that loved and respected my progeny.

(2) Those that fulfilled their needs and solved their problems.

(3) Those that helped them in difficulties and in times of needs.

(4) Those who maintained their respect and friendship by words and by heart.

Daylami narrates from Abu Sa’eed that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim.) said: “My Ahle Bayt and my helpers (Ansars) are my beneficiaries [recipients of my legacy] and successors. So have regard for them and help them. Gather around them and attach yourselves to them. And keep aloof from those who disregard them.”

Ibn Asakir narrates from Sayyidinaa ‘Ali (Karam Allahu wajhahu) that he quoted the Prophet of Allah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim.):

“I will recompense on the day of Qiyamat one who fulfills the rights of even one of my Ahle Bayt (Ridhwaan Allahu ta ‘ala alaihim ajma’een).”

Al-Hakim in his history and Daylami has also related from Abu Sa’eed that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim.) said:

 “Allah will protect the life and the faith of those who regard three things and Allah will not help those who disregard three things (that is he will be in loss in this life as well as the hereafter):

(1) Respect for Islam.

(2) Respect for Prophet of Islam (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim).

(3) And respect for the household of Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim) i.e. Ahlul Bayt (Ridhwaan Allahu ta ‘ala alaihim ajma’een)

According to Tibrani, Sayyidinaa Abu Dhaar (Radhi Allah anhu) has quoted the Messenger of Allah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim) thus: “My Ahle Bayt (Ridhwaan Allahu ta ‘ala alaihim ajma’een) among you is like the Ark of Nuh (alaihi salaam) among the people of Nuh. Those who board it are saved and those who keep aloof from it are destroyed.” And my Ahle Bayt (Ridhwaan Allahu ta ‘ala alaihim ajma’een) are “like the door of repentance of the Bani Israel” (whosoever entered it was saved).”

Al-Hakim has recorded a tradition of the Holy Prophet through Ibne Abbas. The Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Aalihi wa sallim) remarked: “The stars are security for the people of the earth against drowning (when at sea) and Ahle Bayt are a security to the people of the earth against discord. And if any tribe or group opposes my Ahlul Bayt it will itself become fraught with discord and become a party to Iblis.”

It’s up to each and every one of us to decide on which side of the fence we stand.  Are we the lovers and helpers of Habibullah Sayyidinaa wa Mawlaana Muhammad Al Mustafaa Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallim and his Blessed family or are we pretenders?

Wa Sall Allahu ta ‘ala ‘alaa Khayri Khalqihi Sayyidinaa wa Mawlaana Muhammadin wa ‘Alaa Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa sallim tasliman kathiran kathira bi rahmatika yaa Arhamar Rahimeen.