Love - An Islamic Perspective

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Gogarad
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Love - An Islamic Perspective

Post by Gogarad »

Ramadan kariim all...a good email i got..hope ya'll like it... Smile
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The concept of love has intrigued mankind since our very creation. Stories of love have been found in all societies, past and present. It's found in poetry and literature (Shakespeare, H. D. Lawrence), in pop culture (songs, movies, operas).

The love for our parents is one of the first emotions we feel. Throughout our lives we love countless things. But if you ask a group of people what love is, they'll all have a different answer. History is full of Literature and anecdotes explaining and describing love. In truth, the definitions of love are exhaustive. Everyone has a different explanation of love, because there really is no one definition for it.

There are many different types of love. The love for one's Mother and Father is different from the love for a spouse. The love for people and animate objects is different from our love for Allah and Islam. And these different forms of love are also accompanied by different ways of expression.

As a Muslim, our feelings of love should be governed by the duties and beliefs of Islam. The perfection of love is our love for Allah. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah: "And from among mankind there are some who take for themselves (objects of worship as) rivals to Allah, loving them as they should (only) love Allah. And those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah".

In fact, it is for Allah that all our other forms of love should originate. For example, we should love each other because we believe in and worship Allah(SWT). Allah states in a Hadith Qudsi: "Where are those who love each other for my sake? Today, I shall give them shade in my shade, it being a day where there is only my shade".

Loving the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) should be our second priority. The Prophet (SAW) said: "No one truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his own parents".

We can love anything that Allah has made Halaal. And since most things are Halaal, there are many things we can love. Aside from people, we can also love a particular sport, or a type of food, especially things that are stated in the Sunnah, like archery and horseback riding or dates and water, just to name a few. Likewise, something that is haraam, would obviously be haraam to love. Also, loving an enemy of Islam is a haraam type of love. Allah says in Surah Al-Mumtahina: "And don't take the disbelievers as your auliyah, they are auliyah of each other". Since feelings of love are often uncontrollable, we have to fight our desires of haraam love. The Prophet (SAW) said: " None of you believes until his desires are in accordance with what I have come with".


Love that is channeled in the right direction is encouraged in Islam. Many examples of love can be found in the Qur'an, Sunnah and the lives of the Sahaba.

Allah says: "And he has put love and mercy between you", when referring to spousal relations. The Prophet (SAW) said: "Of the things in your world that are beloved to me, are women, perfume, and the coolness of my eyes during the prayer." Ali (RA) would often recite poetry to express his love for Fatima (RA).

Halaal types of love can become haraam if they become extreme. The Prophet (SAW) warned us about going to extremes. He (SAW) said: "Indeed those who came before you were ruined because they went to extremes". And he (SAW) also said:" Never love someone so extremely that you can never hate them, and never hate someone so much that you could never love them". For example, if we love a certain scholar so much, that we take his/her word over the Qur'an or the Sunnah, our love for that scholar has become extreme, and therefore Haraam. Believe it or not, it happens all the time. We might not even notice it. Many instances of blind-following, which are a big problem in the Ummah, are due to this type of extreme love.

In more worldly matters, if a certain sport or activity makes us skip the prayer, this could constitute as an extreme love. Of course this doesn't really have to be the reason. It could just be that one just forgets or is lazy. But if you consciously skip the prayer for that activity, because you love doing it so much, you've probably fallen into the deep abyss of extreme love.

Usually, extreme love is not really love at all, but actually a type of infatuation or obsession. It becomes more obvious when it's directed to other humans. For example, someone might love their spouse so much that they'll consciously miss an obligatory duty to be with them or to please them. For example, a woman takes off her hijab just to please her dayuth husband. She knows it's wrong, but she'll do it anyways due to her extreme love. One man from the Salaf, was so obsessed with his wife, that he actually made sujood to her. Don't get me wrong, spouses are encouraged to love each other, and should do all they can to develop and keep those feelings of love. The Prophet (SAW) loved his wives very much, and vice versa. We couldn't even begin to understand what their love must have been like. But the Prophet (SAW) didn't let that distract him from his religious obligations. Ayesha (RA) said: "The Prophet (SAW) used to spend time with me playing, and chatting, but as soon as he would hear the Adhaan, we would get up and go for prayer". So in Islam, "True love" -when referring to humans- can be defined as loving someone dearly, but keeping it within context of our religious duties and beliefs.

Love before marriage can be complicated to say the least. Most of us will have someone we like for marriage. We often notice that person and the little things they do, and we say to ourselves" Hey, I'd like to marry that person". The problem is that we've been too influenced by our society. TV., movies cause us to feel a void in our lives. So we create this imaginary "Romeo and Juliet" - type scenario to fill it. One will find themselves in a flux between reality and fiction. Surprisingly, even we macho brothers do it sometimes (Though we'll never dare tell anyone). Often times one will think that they're in love with someone, but in reality, they're just in love with the idea of loving someone. TV. and movies are all make-believe. The scenarios they portray about love can't be plugged into real-life situations. So as Muslims we should remain pragmatic and not let our emotions get the best of us. I'm not saying that it's wrong to like or even love someone before marriage; Marriages don't have to be 100% arranged. It's good to like a person before you marry them, granted you don't transcend the limits set by Allah (SWT). The Prophet (SAW) acknowledged that two people who aren't married can fall in love. He (SAW) once said: "The best thing to do for two people who are in love, is to get married."

Just don't get too attached to the idea of a particular person because a lot of times it doesn't work out, and could lead to heartache. And it's usually for naught, considering that you wouldn't really know that person unless you were married to them; and, also considering that marriage is predestined anyway. Remember, the goal is marriage, not the person. If you find that you're constantly thinking about someone- and just absolutely have to marry them- you're probably in the area of extreme love.

Since haraam types of love can be out of our control, they won't necessarily earn us a sin; we earn a sin if we act on those feelings. But the matter can get more serious than just earning a sin. Loving haraam things can eventually lead to us negating our emaan.

A lot of times we can control certain emotions, and as a mature Muslim, we should be able to identify them. The best thing we can do is go back to the source, which is our heart. Purifying our hearts is the best way to rid ourselves of haraam types of love. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah: "Indeed Allah loves those who repent to him and He loves those who purify themselves".

To start, we should ask ourselves a few questions: Is our ultimate love for Allah and his Messenger? Is our love for things pure and rightly warranted? If we do love haraam things, can it be real love? Answering these questions will give us a good idea of where we stand on love.

Islamic injunctions are there for our own well-being. Where lays true Islamic practice, lays true happiness and contentment. So while the rest of the world is still pondering over the true meaning of love, we Muslims can rest assured that Islam has defined it for us.

May Allah give us guidance, and make us love what he loves.

Ameen
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Post by simplicity- »

ameen

jazakallahu khairan sis and ramadaan kareem to u too rose
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Post by Steeler [Crawler2] »

The Almitra said, speak to us of love.
And the Prophet raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said:
When love beckons to you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you, yield to him, though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you, believe in him, though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you, so shall he crucify you.
Even as he is for your growth, so is he also for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like Sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant.
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God’s sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of life’s heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure, then it is better for your that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing-floor, into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
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Post by B00 »

Shukran for sharing your awareness with us.
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Post by Cadeey »

Falling in love is a sweet ambition.Finding a true love is a life time mission take my word and follow the somali tradition make mama proud and marry her decision. Laughing Laughing
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Post by Gogarad »

Jazana wo Jazakuum Ajmaceen Inshlla..
Mad, zip it!!!

Cadey, good idea..
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Post by Steeler [Crawler2] »

Gogo
What's wrong now? I thought it was a nice post.
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Post by Babygal »

jazakallah sis... Very Happy
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Post by Steeler [Crawler2] »

Love gives naught but itself and takes naught from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed.
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love, you should not say "God is in my heart", but rather "I am in the heart of God".
And htink not you can direct the course of love. For love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no desire but to fulfill itself
But if you love, and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its meldoy into the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love.
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.
To rest at the noon hour, and meditate on love's ecstasy.
To return home at eventide with gratitude.
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
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Post by Basra- »

Kitten lovers are .


Moody,lonely,clawy & tempramental. Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing
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Post by zulaika »

gogarad

naaheedha ramadaan kariim to u first. bal xageed ku dambeysey adiga. whats good?

good post btw. khair Allah hakaasiiyo.
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Post by Gogarad »

Basra,

Exactlly...U just described me to the t!!

Zulikha,

I am doing well sis..Alxamdulilah... Ramadan Kariim to you too..how are you doing adiga??
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Post by Steeler [Crawler2] »

So Gogo, you ready for love?
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