By Manizhe Iqbal | April 13, 2015
Love is one of the most ambiguous and powerful forces on the planet. Almost like a superpower, it resonates strongly with some whilst mere timbers glow in others. Some hearts are altogether black holes with no light. How do we come about this love? What is it? Where is it? What’s in it for us?
Fortunately, most of us have moved past that paradigm of Romeo and Juliet, recognizing its comedic value and lack of realism. On the same note, however, many of us are wooed and blinded by various contemporary -and dare I say equally stupid- portrayals of love. Is love what Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt share with each other and their adorable kids? Is love acceptance of someone as perfect regardless of his or her flaws like the die-hard supporters of the misdemeanor-peppered Justin Bieber? Is love the unconditional support of mothers to their children? Is love that first glance with that boy/girl across the room when your heart begins to pound and your blood rushes away from your brain rendering you speechless in the presence of this individual?
What the heck is love?
It’s all of these or none of these or anywhere in between. Love is mostly subjective. In fact, many of the most educated and enlightened people in the world probably couldn’t agree on any set of standard love formulae. The world’s finest philosophers, scientists, or of any other secular merit have yet to come to a conclusion. As for our Ulama’ and Shayookh, well, they are of various opinions. Some strongly refute aspects of love as we define it today,
most commonly the part about love at first sight. Others, meanwhile, are avid proponents of the very same, encouraging immediate matrimony. Others still, of course, fall anywhere between the two extremes.
So how does this help? We’re still at the vague crossroads between extreme comprehensions of love where we started. Well, as was aforementioned, love is mostly subjective. A part of it is common amongst all believers if not all humans –after all, Islam does give us some distinguished privileges. So what, then, is this commonality? What is the answer to the question “what is love,” and how do we find it? The solution is rather simple.
Trust in Allah. Literally, trust in Allah. Yes, trust in Allah and He will enlighten you and In Shaa Allah grant you the love you seek and all that good stuff. But more than that, once you trust in Allah, you will immediately have love. Allah says in Surah Ali-‘Imran verse
159:
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ ِ
The latter of which means “And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]”.
The verb tawakkal used here is defined as both reliance and trust. So literally, we must trust Him. Allah is telling us through the example of the Prophet (SAW) that once we’ve trusted Him, He will love us. And what truer love can there be than that from the Creator who possesses the 99 parts of
100 that weren’t yet showered upon us? The point is: Regardless of whatever you believe love to be or represent, you will find it in your relationship with Allah. We must learn to trust Him at all times good and bad. In Shaa Allah He will love us all and then we will surely be happy. Ameen.
Don’t forget to make Dua’! DOTT (Dua’ of the Topic):
This lovely dua’ is from Riyad As Saliheen compiled by Imam An-Nawawi
وعن أبي الدرداء، رضي الله عنه، قال: رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ”كان من دعاء داود عليه السلام: ”اللهم إني أسألك حبك، وحب من يحبك، والعمل الذي يبلغني حبك، اللهم اجعل حبك أحب إلى من نفسي، وأهلي، ومن الماء البارد”. رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن.
Abud-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “One of Prophet Dawud’s supplications was: ‘O Allah!
I ask You for Your Love, the love of those who love You, and deeds which will cause me to attain Your Love. O Allah! Make Your Love dearer to me than myself, my family and the cold water.”‘ [Narrated by At- Tirmidhi].
Remember, smiling is charity!