It is clear that being able to love for your brother or sister what you love for yourself is a characteristic every true Muslim should train their heart upon. It is the golden rule; treat others how you want to be treated. Allah says:
لَّيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلۡمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ
“Yet there are people who make others as God’s equals, loving them as only God should be loved. But those who have faith love God more than all else…” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:165)
Islam, according to the Quran, teaches love and compassion for every human being, no matter their religion, says author Adnan Oktar whose television show is watched by millions in Turkey and the Arab world. God calls all people to live by the moral values He sets so that compassion, mercy, peace, and love can be experienced all over the world. Allah the Exalted said:
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Say: “If you should love Allah, then follow me. Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, for Allah is forgiving and merciful.” (Surah Al Imran 3:31)
He believes the problem for the majority of Muslims is that some groups are following traditions and superstitions invented centuries after the Quran was first sent and the Prophet lived, and these have gotten more radical over time. Islam intrinsically calls for peace and fosters a life in absolute sincerity and honesty before God. Allah says:
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
“And among His Signs (is) that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you love and mercy. Indeed, in that surely (are) Signs for a people who reflect.” (Quran 30: 21)
Many people are unaware of the value of Love in Islam. Love is a beautiful emotion that brings joy to the heart. Here are some Quranic verses and hadiths about “Love”: Allah says:
…وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَندَادً۬ا يُحِبُّونَہُمۡ كَحُبِّ ٱللَّهِۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَشَدُّ حُبًّ۬ا لِّلَّهِۗ
“And among His Signs is this: that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.” (Surah Ar-Rum 30:21)
There is something we all know we should do, but in real life, many of us don’t because our hearts are ill. It is one of the purest forms of love. When you find yourself secretly wishing bad things for someone else, don’t allow it to be in you! Keep sayinga’oodhu billaah, because it is probably from Satan. Just like any other evil feeling, we have to keep trying to expel it. Hasad is just like any other evil feeling and Allah knows best. Allah says:
إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ
“Your ally is none but Allah and [therefore] His Messenger and those who have believed – those who establish prayer and give zakah, and they bow in worship.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:55)
How to Love for Others what you Love for Yourself:
It is easily said, but sometimes hard to practice, because our ego gets in the way. So here is a selection of tips on how to attain this beautiful love.
- Learn the Names of Allah
- Share your blessings
- Homework: Make Dua
- On love between humans.
- Never Wish Evil on Others
- Don’t exploit other people’s flaws
Some people see flaws in others and instead of hoping for them to improve they put the person down further in order to feel better. This is a disease of the heart, wanting to see others do badly in order to feel better yourself.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “Allah is with those who are of service to others.” (Quran 29:70)
- “…It is righteousness…to spend of your wealth…out of love for Him.” (Quran 2:177)
- “On the night of the fas,t it is lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives. They are clothing/covering (libaas) for you and you for them….” (Quran 2:187)
- “O You who believe! Enter absolutely into peace (Islam). Do not follow in the footsteps of satan. He is an outright enemy to you.” (Quran: 2, 208)
- “Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.” (Quran, 59:12)
وَأَحْسِنُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“Be good. Verily, Allah loves those who are good.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:195)
When you see flaws in others, try to help them fix their problems, advise them gently, offer help in reconciling between people and love for that person to grow closer to Allah. Allah says:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وُدًّا
“Verily, for those who have believed and done righteous deeds, the Most Merciful will appoint for them affection.” (Surah Maryam 19:96)
O Allah, guide us to live by Your Names, make us desire for others what we desire for ourselves, help us to share our blessings and adorn us with a heart full of true love for others what we love for ourselves.
