مجمع جهانی قرآن و عترت World Assembly of Qur'an and Eitrat
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For centuries, philosophers and writers have tried to explore divine love but found that there are some feelings that just cannot be translated into words, especially when a person moves to higher degrees of divine love. Divine love requires commitment and steadfastness. Divine love in Islam is not a type of superficial love but it is considered a mutual genuine feeling between God and man, which is referred to in the Qur’an: [Then Allah will bring a people, He shall love them and they shall love Him] (Al-Ma’idah 5:54). The Qur’an connects divine love to taqwa in a verse that says what means [For lo! Allah loveth those who ward off (evil)] (Aal `Imran 3:76). This shows that divine love is not only manifested in pure acts of worship like prayers, but it is also reflected in different aspects of life. That is why following the path of God is the real test for the genuineness of divine love. This is beautifully expressed in the Qur’an, while addressing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): [Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful] (Aal `Imran 3:31). Following this path that God has established for man results in a sense of dependence upon God and a sense of gratefulness to God for all His bounties. Divine love requires commitment and steadfastness so a person can be prepared to face the different trials and tribulations in life. It also requires responsibility and sacrifice of some of the person’s time, property, desires, and even a person’s own life if necessary. The Qur’an indicates that to have this true love, one must put God’s love above all other types of love: [But those of Faith are overflowing in their love for Allah] (Al-Baqarah 2:165). Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also mentioned that one of the things that a person must achieve in order to feel the sweet taste of faith in his heart, is to love God and His Messenger more than anything else. This divine love is also the foundation of love for other creatures in the universe because the deep and profound love for humans and other creatures would not be felt by someone who does not truly love God. Translating Love Into Good Deeds Various verses in the Qur’an explain the characteristics that a person should have in order to receive God’s love. One of those traits is taqwa or God-consciousness, which is referred to in the Qur’an: [For lo! Allah loveth those who ward off (evil)] (Aal `Imran 3:76). God also loves those who have trust in Him. Also, people who constantly repent to God deserve His love: [For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean] (Al-Baqarah 2:222), which means that the door for repentance is open if a person sins, and not only does God accept those who repent, but He also loves them. A third characteristic is constant self-purification. The Qur’an says what means [And Allah loves those who purify themselves] (At-Tawbah 9:108). People who do good were also mentioned in several verses: [Surely Allah loves the doers of good] (Al-Baqarah 2:195). God also loves those who have trust in Him. He says what means [For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)] (Aal `Imran 3:159). Those who are steadfast and persevering also deserve divine love: [And Allah loves the patient] (Aal `Imran 3:146). People who are just or judge in equity are also mentioned in the Qur’an as receiving God’s love: [Surely Allah loves those who judge equitably] (Al-Ma’idah 5:42). Endangering Divine Love There are also characteristics that God does not love, such as aggression or transgression. He says what means [Lo! Allah loveth not transgressors] (Al-Ma’idah 5:87) Corruption on earth or doing mischief is another bad characteristic: [And Allah loveth not mischief] (Al-Baqarah 2:205). In addition, being ungrateful is something that God does not love: (…and Allah does not love any ungrateful sinner.) (Al-Baqarah 2:276). Those who reject faith are also endangering divine love: [Say: Obey Allah and the Messenger. But if they turn away, lo! Allah loveth not the disbelievers (in His guidance)] (Aal `Imran 3:32). In the Qur’an God mentions oppression, where He says what means [And Allah does not love the unjust] (Aal `Imran 3:57). Betrayal and treachery are also bad traits that God does not love: [Surely Allah does not love the treacherous] (Al-Anfal 8:58).
