Essence of True Love for Allah

In today’s Friday sermon Hazrat Khalifatul Masih gave a discourse on love of God with reference to the writings and pronouncements of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Huzoor said in these extracts of Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) love of God is defined and its reality is expounded as well as the secret of its attainment is given along with explanation of its profundity and philosophy. These extracts also explain what should be our standards, those of us who have accepted him and are included in his Jama’at, as regards love of God, and what expectations did the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) have of us. Each extract is thought provoking and a beacon of guidance and it is important to pay heed so that we understand the essence and the spirit of the subject and can progress in it and reform ourselves.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote: ‘Love is not pretence or ritualistic, rather it is a faculty among human faculties. Its reality is that the heart likes something and is drawn to it. Just as the real qualities of something are made evident when it reaches a state of excellence, so is the case of love. Its treasures are made apparent when it reaches its climax and highest point. Allah the Exalted states: ‘…and their hearts were permeated with the love of the calf…’ (2:94). In fact when a person completely loves someone it is as if he permeates him or consumes him and is imbued with his morals and manners. The greater the love, the more one is naturally drawn to the qualities of his beloved so much so that he becomes an image of the beloved. This is also the indication when man loves God he attains God’s light on a reflective basis in accordance with his own powers. And those who love Satan acquire the darkness which is in Satan’ (Nur ul Haq, Part II, p. 430, Ruhani Khaza’in Vol. 9)

Huzoor explained that adopting Divine attributes is an expression of love of God and as Huzoor had explained in his Friday sermons based on knowledge and understanding of God a few weeks ago, unless one is aware of all attributes of God one cannot have His knowledge and understanding. Love of God is the next step up and when Divine attributes are adopted one receives Divine light.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote: ‘The reality of love necessities that a person truly likes all the attributes, morals and adorations of his beloved and endeavours with all his heart and soul to be completely devoted to them so that having being absorbed in him, he can acquire his beloved’s life. One who truly loves is wholly devoted to his beloved and is apparent from the countenance of his beloved and has such a representation of his beloved in his heart, it is as if the beloved permeates him. He is imbibed in the beloved and makes it evident to people that he is completely absorbed in the beloved’s love.’ (Nur ul Haq, Part II, p. 431, Ruhani Khaza’in Vol. 9)

In response to an objection raised by a priest regarding the Islamic concept of love of God the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote: ‘Let it be clear that in reality this objection is applicable to the Gospels and not the Holy Qur’an because the Gospels certainly do not teach to have personal love of God and to worship Him out of personal love. The Holy Qur’an is replete with this teaching. The Qur’an clearly states: ‘…celebrate the praises of Allah as you celebrated the praises of your fathers…’ (2:201) and ‘…loving them as they should love Allah…’ (2:166). That is, remember God much more than you remember your fathers and it is the distinction of believers that they love God the most; they do not love their fathers, mothers, other dear ones and themselves as they love God. It is then stated: ‘…endeared the faith to you and has made it look beautiful to your hearts…’ (49:8). It is stated: ‘Verily, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to o