Islam is the complete religion with solutions to every problem. Love is the central and the most important part of human emotions. Love is a sentiment which is uncontrollable sometimes and you have no power over your emotions to stop them. Such feelings could happen to anyone with anyone. Being Muslims we should be aware of that what Islam says in regard to this. Islam is the easiest religion among others; no one could feel as free as in the religion of Islam. This all is because our Creator Allah loves the believers so much, that He does not want to enforce anything on His servants. Allah says:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say, “If you love Allah, then follow Allah will love you and He will forgive for you your sins. And Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Al Imran, 3:31)

Islam has allowed love because it is a human need and no one is complete without the sentiment of Love. In any human society, the relationships between people are based on love. Islam teaches us to be truthful and realistic. Usually, we love for the sake of Allah and we hate for the sake of Allah. According to Islam, the minimum expectation from believers is that God should have the first place in their hearts, in the sense that no other love may override one’s love for God; God should be the highest and foremost object of love. Allah says:

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ إِذَا أَنتُم بَشَرٌ تَنتَشِرُونَ

“And among His Signs (is) that He created you from dust then behold! You (are) human beings dispersing.” (Surah Ar-Rum 30:20)

A believer is not a person who just loves God. A believer is a person whose love for God is the highest and strongest love he has. We could always start with a simple pledge to express love for a different person in your life, with every passing day. Express gratitude and appreciation for any relationship you have been blessed with in your own way, not dictated by commercialism. And, never forget your love for Allah, another connection which remains a priority. Indeed, love for the truths embodied in the religion builds up the faith.

Here are some signs you love someone for the Sake of Allah:

1. A believer who loves God is expected to love His people
2. A believer let your love and hate be for the sake of God
3. A believer strengthening our relationship with Allah
4. A believer accepts personal morality and values
5. A believer teaches that God is the Most Justice
6. A believer teaches one should not harm others
7. A believer teaches a true living an Islamic life
8. A believer put into action and trusts in Allah
9. A believer set life which is free from all evil
10. A believer looks at the bigger picture
11. A believer teaches that we will be judged
12. A believer relies on Allah in all our affairs
13. A believer attributes the pleasure of Allah
14. A believer allows to experience God’s love
15. A believer trusts in Allah and prays to Allah
16. A believer encourages a balance between hope
17. A believer has a message for people at all times
18. A believer also furnishes good and evil conduct
19. A believer respects all human being’s innocence
20. A believer emancipates the mind from superstitions

In worship and speech, you both tend to remember Allah. You will also find yourself gently pushing this friend to do good for Allah. If you love someone for the sake of Allah, you are happy when you see them satisfied with the blessings of Allah. We must be satisfied with Allah’s wisdom in splitting his blessings. In essence, you reap more rewards and at the same time fix the condition of your soul for the pleasure of your Rabb. Allah says:

وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْغَافِلِينَ

“Remember your Lord in yourselves with humility and in private without announcing it in the mornings and evenings, and do not be among the heedless.” (Surah Al-Araf 7:205)

Loving Allah and His messengers, and loving goodness for people go on and on. The symbolic meaning of the heart is the symbol of life, as the heart in the body is where blood is pumped around the body in our veins. The Quran is the symbol of life, pumping all the teachings into every corner of our life. Thus the heart is both a symbol of life and a symbol of love.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran signs of true love:

• “Truly Allah loves the Muttaqin.“(Quran, 3:76)
• “Truly the religion with Allah is Islam.” (Quran: 3:19)
• “Guidance for those conscious of Allah.” (Quran, 2:2)
• “And speak to people in the best manner.” (Quran 2:83)
• “Then We will save the ones who had taqwa.“ (Quran, 19:72)
• “It describes reconciliation as the best policy.” (Quran: 4:128)
• “Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
• “Have taqwa of Allah so that you might succeed.” (Quran 3:200)
• “Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” (Quran 2:220)

We do not say love is halal or haram because it is a feeling. Maybe it is not under control. You can judge what is under control. But people who fall in love are in many episodes away from the cleansed and pure atmosphere. If you feel you love someone, then you cannot control your feeling. If that love prompts you to try to see that person in secret and to give expression to your feelings in actions permissible.

Here are some signs that you love someone for Allah’s sake:

• You are not upset if there is a lack of commitment: Friendships based on love for Allah are nourished and grown by a divine source.
• A constant remembering of Allah: Your reward lies solely with Allah and you know this and don’t expect anything from people in general.
• You have no expectations from them: When you love someone for His sake, you don’t need them to return your favours or reciprocate.
• You are happy when you see them happy: Good friends will consult the Quran and Hadith when they disagree. And if even then they still do, that’s okay.
• You give them your good word: Letting them know you appreciate them and what they do gives them the motivation to continue doing great things for Allah’s sake.

There is no precise way that we can use to tell if Allah loves us as it falls in the matters of feeling. We only depend on signs from the ayat of Allah to measure if we are from amongst those whom He loves. If we find ourselves in constant mention of Allah in our thoughts and actions. This could be a sign. We find ourselves in the constant reproach of our soul. When we truly love someone we love those who brought happiness to the heart of our beloved. Allah says:

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ

“Allah, (there is) no god except Him. And upon Allah let put (their) trust the believers.” (Surah At-Taghabun 64:13)

Love for God is very active and manifests itself in all aspects of one’s life. Throughout one’s life, different forms of love are experienced to varying degrees, but one type of love that is a constant for the sincere believer is the love of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. For Allah’s sake basically means only for Him and not for the sake of anyone or anything else; meaning a friendship based on worship and devotion to Allah first and foremost.

True Love in Islam constitutes the following:

•  True love, secures both your worldly and spiritual lives
• True love, is based on a spiritual and ethical basis
• True love strengthens the spirituality in your heart
• True love fulfil the commitments and promises
• True love brings respect and honour
• True love is for Allah SWT
• True love for others for the sake of Allah
• True love for the Prophet Muhammad saw
• True love, on the other hand, leads to halal 
• True love is something that is developed over time
• True love is one that leads to a healthy lovely relationship

Your love for the sake of Allah should keep you grounded and satisfied. It is important that our friendships never lose sight of this ultimate relationship with the Creator. Every effort to please this individual, to bring them closer to Allah or to ease their difficulty is considered charity for the sake of Allah. And let’s not forget, for your sake too. It is a relationship that you take with you to the grave and beyond. Allah says:

فَقَالُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ

“Then they said, “Upon Allah, we put our trust. Our Lord! (Do) not make us a trial for the people – the wrongdoers.” (Surah Yunus 10:85)

Allah has allowed everything but along with that He has shown us some boundaries and if we cross those limitations or boundaries then only we are the ones who get in trouble. We need to look after our hearts to deliver the right message -the core message of Islam as we received it from the Prophet (peace be on him) and his teaching of his community on how to deliver the message of love. Thus, whatever we are asked to do, and whatever we are asked not to do benefit us in either way.