Written by: Maulana Abul Hasan Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani حفظ اللہ
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَنْ يَرْتَدَّ مِنْكُمْ عَنْ دِينِهِ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي اللَّـهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ [5-المائدة:54]
"O you who have believed, whoever among you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him."
Similarly, a narration mentions that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, once holding the hand of Sayyidina Mu'adh bin Jabal رضي الله عنه, said: "O Mu'adh! I indeed love you." Sayyidina Mu'adh رضي الله عنه responded, "O Messenger of Allah! May my parents be sacrificed for you; I also love you." [Musnad Ahmad: 5/245, 22119; Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 751; Sahih Ibn Hibban: 2020; Abu Dawood: 1522].
Many verses in the Quran use the term "محبت" (love), and authentic Hadiths also demonstrate that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his companions رضي الله عنهم used this word for one another. Therefore, we should use this term for Allah, His Messenger ﷺ, and the believers. It is also noteworthy that neither the Holy Quran nor any authentic Hadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ employs the term "عشق" (Ishq). However, the term appears in a fabricated and false narration attributed to Sayyidina Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما, which states:
"Whoever falls in Ishq, hides it, remains chaste, and dies, he is a martyr." [Tareekh Baghdad: 5/166, 2/50, 11/298, Tareekh Damascus, Al-Ilal Al-Mutanahiya]
Shaykh Albani رحمه الله has classified this narration as fabricated. [Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Da'eefah: 309].
It appears that this narration was concocted by someone averse to jihad and infatuated with "Ishq." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared those killed in battle as martyrs, as well as those who die due to burning, drowning, abdominal diseases, pleurisy, or a woman who dies during childbirth. However, there is no mention of a "victim of Ishq" being considered a martyr. This seems to be the fabrication of someone like a "victim of Layla’s love." Imam Ibn Qayyim رحمه الله has discussed this in detail, stating:
"Do not be deceived by this fabricated narration; it is not authentically proven from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, nor is it appropriate to attribute it to him. Martyrdom in the sight of Allah is a high rank, associated with the status of the truthful ones (صدیقین). It requires specific deeds and conditions for its attainment. Martyrdom is of two kinds: general and specific, with the latter being for those who die in the way of Allah. There are five types of general martyrdoms mentioned in authentic Hadiths, and 'Ishq' is not one of them. How could it be? 'Ishq' is akin to associating partners with Allah in love. It dominates the heart and spirit, fostering love for others besides Allah. How could martyrdom be attained through such means? It is impossible. The corruption of 'Ishq' surpasses all other forms of corruption; it is the intoxicant of the soul that leads to heedlessness from the remembrance of Allah, impedes His love, and obstructs communion with Him. It drives the heart to servitude for someone other than Allah. Imagine someone who falls in love with another's wife or young men, or indulges in illicit relationships—can he attain martyrdom through this 'Ishq'? Such an idea is utterly against the religion of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Furthermore, 'Ishq' is a condition for which Allah has prescribed both spiritual and natural remedies, while martyrdom is a state for which no treatment is mentioned in Hadith." For further details, see: [Zad al-Ma'ad: 3/306-307].
In conclusion, the term "Ishq" is not found in the Quran or Hadith and is considered a kind of ailment that requires treatment. Moreover, in our common usage, the term has both positive and negative connotations. Hence, such a word should not be used for Allah or His Messenger ﷺ. No one would prefer using this term for their mother, sister, or daughter—so how can it be appropriate to use it for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ?
Question:
Is it permissible to use the term "Ishq" (intense love) for Allah or the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?Answer:
In the Holy Quran and the Hadiths of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the word frequently used for Allah and His Messenger is "محبت" (love). As stated in the Quran:يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَنْ يَرْتَدَّ مِنْكُمْ عَنْ دِينِهِ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي اللَّـهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ [5-المائدة:54]
"O you who have believed, whoever among you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him."
Similarly, a narration mentions that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, once holding the hand of Sayyidina Mu'adh bin Jabal رضي الله عنه, said: "O Mu'adh! I indeed love you." Sayyidina Mu'adh رضي الله عنه responded, "O Messenger of Allah! May my parents be sacrificed for you; I also love you." [Musnad Ahmad: 5/245, 22119; Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 751; Sahih Ibn Hibban: 2020; Abu Dawood: 1522].
Many verses in the Quran use the term "محبت" (love), and authentic Hadiths also demonstrate that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his companions رضي الله عنهم used this word for one another. Therefore, we should use this term for Allah, His Messenger ﷺ, and the believers. It is also noteworthy that neither the Holy Quran nor any authentic Hadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ employs the term "عشق" (Ishq). However, the term appears in a fabricated and false narration attributed to Sayyidina Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما, which states:
"Whoever falls in Ishq, hides it, remains chaste, and dies, he is a martyr." [Tareekh Baghdad: 5/166, 2/50, 11/298, Tareekh Damascus, Al-Ilal Al-Mutanahiya]
Shaykh Albani رحمه الله has classified this narration as fabricated. [Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Da'eefah: 309].
It appears that this narration was concocted by someone averse to jihad and infatuated with "Ishq." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared those killed in battle as martyrs, as well as those who die due to burning, drowning, abdominal diseases, pleurisy, or a woman who dies during childbirth. However, there is no mention of a "victim of Ishq" being considered a martyr. This seems to be the fabrication of someone like a "victim of Layla’s love." Imam Ibn Qayyim رحمه الله has discussed this in detail, stating:
"Do not be deceived by this fabricated narration; it is not authentically proven from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, nor is it appropriate to attribute it to him. Martyrdom in the sight of Allah is a high rank, associated with the status of the truthful ones (صدیقین). It requires specific deeds and conditions for its attainment. Martyrdom is of two kinds: general and specific, with the latter being for those who die in the way of Allah. There are five types of general martyrdoms mentioned in authentic Hadiths, and 'Ishq' is not one of them. How could it be? 'Ishq' is akin to associating partners with Allah in love. It dominates the heart and spirit, fostering love for others besides Allah. How could martyrdom be attained through such means? It is impossible. The corruption of 'Ishq' surpasses all other forms of corruption; it is the intoxicant of the soul that leads to heedlessness from the remembrance of Allah, impedes His love, and obstructs communion with Him. It drives the heart to servitude for someone other than Allah. Imagine someone who falls in love with another's wife or young men, or indulges in illicit relationships—can he attain martyrdom through this 'Ishq'? Such an idea is utterly against the religion of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Furthermore, 'Ishq' is a condition for which Allah has prescribed both spiritual and natural remedies, while martyrdom is a state for which no treatment is mentioned in Hadith." For further details, see: [Zad al-Ma'ad: 3/306-307].
In conclusion, the term "Ishq" is not found in the Quran or Hadith and is considered a kind of ailment that requires treatment. Moreover, in our common usage, the term has both positive and negative connotations. Hence, such a word should not be used for Allah or His Messenger ﷺ. No one would prefer using this term for their mother, sister, or daughter—so how can it be appropriate to use it for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ?