DO WE REALLY LOVE RASULULLAH (SALLALLAAHU 'ALAIHI WASALLAM)?

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu‎) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"None of you is a "Mu'min" (true Muslim) until his love for me is not greater than his love for his parents, his children and all the people of this world." (Bukhari)

In comparison to the maternal or instinctive love (hubbe tab'i) that is felt for example by a mother for her child, love for Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) is a motivated love, a love that is based on reason. This kind of love is indispensable for a Mu'min.

Hubbe Rasul (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), that is to say love for Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) means following Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) in his words and in his actions, carrying out his commandments, abandoning everything that he disapproves of and everything that he has forbidden, and adopting his system (Sunnah) in moments of happiness as well as misfortune.

Love for Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) must take precedence over everything. For a "Mu'min", Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) is dearer to his heart than all that this world contains. He (the Mu'min) submits his passions to the rules brought by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam).

We all say that we love Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). However, many of us buy a television or a video to please our wife or children. Our weddings are celebrated almost in a "music hall" atmosphere. Our clothing habits, especially those of our Muslim sisters, are also to be deplored. Our brothers willingly shave their beards while keeping a beard has a particular importance in Islam. All this is, among many others, proof that we follow our passions and desires more while a "Mu'min" should have followed the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) and obeyed his commandments. In reality, a "Mu'min" is convinced that success in this world and in the Aakhirah lies in total obedience to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). His very intelligence urges him to follow the principles and commandments of the Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam).

He rejects any other system. Music, television or video has no value in his eyes. It is in this same sense that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"As long as a person does not submit his desires to the rules that I have brought, he will not be a true Muslim (Mu'min)."

On this same subject, Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'an Sharif:

"Say, 'If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your spouses, your families, your wealth that you have earned, your businesses in which you fear a loss, and your home that you love so dearly are more beloved to you than Allah, His Rasul [Sallallaahu 'Alaihi wasallam] and exerting yourselves in His path; then wait for Allah's order to come. Allah does not guide the sinful ones.'" (9:24)

This love for Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) can develop and increase until it becomes an instinctive or natural love (hubbe tab'i), a love that surpasses filial, maternal, paternal love, etc. Let us take a look at the lives of the faithful companions (Radiyallaahu Anhum‎) of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) and we will better understand the meaning of this love.

For the Sahaabah (Radiyallahu Anhum), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) was dearer than their fathers, sons, brothers, wives, families, wealth, etc. They found his company more pleasant than fresh water during drought. They had an "Imaan" (faith) of the highest degree. Verily the Sahaabah (Radiyallahu Anhum) gave the greatest proof of their devotion to the Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) while they were suffering injury after injury and even when death was looming over them. As an example, here is a short narration of a conversation between Hadhrat Zayd (Radiyallahu Anhu) and Hadhrat Abu Sufyaan (Radiyallahu Anhu) when the latter was about to have him executed.

Hadhrat Abu Sufyan (Radiyallahu Anhu): "Would you not like (Hadhrat) Muhammad (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) to be in your place today and for you to be sent back to your family?"

Hadhrat Zayd (Radiyallahu anhu): "By Allah! The very thought of enjoying life is unbearable to me if the Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) were to suffer, even from the prick of a thorn in his foot."

The Quraish who were present were unable to understand this response of Hadhrat Zayd (Radiyallahu anhu‎). Abu Sufyaan, one of the greatest enemies that Islam had known at that time then declared: "The love that all the companions (Radiyallahu Anhum‎) have for Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) is absolutely unique." Then Hadhrat Zayd (Radiyallahu anhu‎) was stabbed to death.

We who shout from the roof that we are the "Ahle-Sunnah-wal-Jama'ah", must ask ourselves how sincere we really are!

[English version of "Aimons-nous vraiment Raçouloullah (sallallaahou ‎a'laihi wasallam) ?‎" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 7]