This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Kilani's book "Al-Wala Wal-Bara" .
"The Doctrine of Al-Wala" states that after Allah Almighty, loving the Holy Prophet ﷺ is obligatory upon all believers. This love should be greater than that for one's mother, father, wife, children, and other relatives, even greater than one's own life. Allah Almighty says: [اَلنَّبِیُّ اَوۡلٰی بِالۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ مِنۡ اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ] Translation: For the believers, the Prophet is more worthy of themselves.
Reference: (Surah Al-Ahzab:6)
The Holy Prophet ﷺ has explained this matter more clearly in a Hadith: "No one can be a true believer until he loves me more than his son, his father, and all people."
Reference: (Bukhari:15, Muslim:44)
In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has not only commanded the believers to love the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ but has also stated that I and the angels love Muhammad ﷺ. Therefore, all believers should love the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Almighty says: [اِنَّ اللّٰہَ وَ مَلٰٓئِکَتَہٗ یُصَلُّوۡنَ عَلَی النَّبِیِّ ؕ یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا صَلُّوۡا عَلَیۡہِ وَ سَلِّمُوۡا تَسۡلِیۡمًا] Translation: "Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace."
Reference: (Surah Al-Ahzab:56)
Allah Almighty sending "Salat" upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ means loving the Prophet ﷺ and sending His mercy upon him. When the angels send "Salat" upon the Prophet ﷺ, it means loving the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and praying for mercy to be sent upon him ﷺ. When Allah Almighty and the angels love the Prophet ﷺ, then it is even more obligatory for the believers to love the Prophet ﷺ. Besides this command of Allah Almighty, the love, compassion, and mercy of the Prophet ﷺ towards the Ummah also demand that every Muslim loves the Prophet ﷺ more than their own life, wealth, and family.
Think carefully! The respected and honored Prophet ﷺ, who introduced us to the belief in the Oneness of Allah, who removed us from the path of Hellfire and placed us on the path of Paradise, who taught us the etiquette of worshiping Allah, who taught us to live a purposeful life, who taught us how to stand, sit, walk, roam, sleep, wake, eat, drink, and converse, even teaching us the manners of purity and cleanliness, who endured immense hardships and oppressions to deliver the religion to us, who prayed for guidance for those who stoned and wounded him, who, after gaining power over the enemy, forgave them with utmost compassion and kindness, who prayed for our forgiveness and pardon in the solitude of the night, who did not forget us even after ascending above the seven heavens, who shed tears for our sorrow throughout the nights, who preserved a special prayer for our forgiveness, who will be restless in interceding for us even after the judgment of Hell and Paradise has been decided, who are truly more caring and sympathetic towards us than our own parents, wives, and children, indeed more than our own selves, being our benefactors and kindest protectors—loving them more than all worldly relationships after Allah Almighty is obligatory upon every Muslim. The Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them, attained the level of faith that Allah desired, therefore later Muslims were commanded: "Bring the same faith as the people (meaning the Companions) have brought." Allah Almighty says: [اٰمِنُوۡا کَمَاۤ اٰمَنَ النَّاسُ] Translation: "Bring the same faith as the people (meaning the Companions) have brought."
Reference: (Surah Al-Baqarah: 13)
The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, not only fulfilled the right of love for Allah Almighty but also wrote a unique golden chapter of love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Here are some examples of the Companions' love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.① When Musaylimah the Liar claimed prophethood, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sent a letter through Sayyiduna Habib bin Zaid Ansari رضي الله عنه to stop him from going astray. After reading the letter, Musaylimah asked Sayyiduna Habib رضي الله عنه, "Do you testify that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah?" Sayyiduna Habib رضي الله عنه replied, "Yes! I testify that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah." Musaylimah asked, "Do you testify that I am the Messenger of Allah?" Sayyiduna Habib رضي الله عنه answered, "No!" Musaylimah ordered the executioner to cut off one of his arms. The executioner cut off one arm of Sayyiduna Habib رضي الله عنه. Musaylimah asked again: "Do you testify that I am the Messenger of Allah?" When Sayyiduna Habib رضي الله عنه refused again, Musaylimah ordered the executioner to cut off his other arm. The executioner cut off the second arm as well. Musaylimah repeatedly asked Sayyiduna Habib رضي الله عنه the same question, but he kept denying, and Musaylimah kept cutting his body into pieces until the embodiment of patience and steadfastness sacrificed his life to the Creator of life. (رضی اللٰہ عنہم ورضوا عنہ)
When Sayyiduna Habib رضي الله عنه's mother received the news of her son's oppressed martyrdom, she said, "This is why I raised and nurtured my son; I am a seeker of reward from Allah."
Reference: حلية الأولياء لأبي نعيم: 1/356
② In the Battle of Uhud, Sayyida Hind bint Amr Al-Ansariyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) had her husband (Sayyidina Amr ibn Jamuh, may Allah be pleased with him), brother (Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Amr, may Allah be pleased with him), and son (Sayyidina Khalad ibn Amr, may Allah be pleased with him) all participate and they were martyred. At the end of the battle, when people began returning to Medina, Sayyida Hind (may Allah be pleased with her) asked them, "How is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?" People told her, "Your husband has been martyred." Sayyidina Hind (may Allah be pleased with her) received this news with great courage and then repeated her question, "How is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?" People told her, "Your brother has also been martyred." Sayyidina Hind (may Allah be pleased with her) heard this news with full patience and steadfastness and then repeated her question again, "How is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?" People told her, "Your son has also been martyred." The woman, a symbol of determination and perseverance, did not show even the slightest tremor in her faith due to the martyrdom of her three close relatives and then asked the same question again, "How is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?" People told her, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ is well." Then the heart of this lion-hearted woman found peace. With great calm and dignity, she proceeded towards the battlefield of Uhud. When her eyes fell upon the radiant face of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, she immediately exclaimed [کل مصیبۃ بعدک جلل] After seeing your luminous face, all the hardships are insignificant.
Reference: Al-Muhabbir Ibn Habib: p. 404
③ During the Battle of Uhud, at one point, the Islamic army was severely attacked by the polytheists. Only nine men remained around the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. When the attackers came very close, the Prophet ﷺ said: Who will drive them away from us? Sayyiduna Talha ibn Ubaydullah رضي الله عنه immediately responded, I will, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! The Prophet ﷺ said: You stay for now. Another companion said, I will, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! The Prophet ﷺ said: Yes! You go forward. One by one, seven men were martyred defending the Prophet ﷺ. Then the Prophet ﷺ allowed Sayyiduna Talha ibn Ubaydullah رضي الله عنه to advance. At that time, the blessed teeth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had been broken, his forehead was bloodied, deep wounds had appeared on his lips, and he was exhausted and worn out from the wounds. Sayyiduna Talha ibn Ubaydullah رضي الله عنه launched a strong attack on the polytheists from one side, pushing them back, and on the other side, he rushed to the Prophet ﷺ to help him climb the mountain to a safe place. Sayyiduna Talha رضي الله عنه succeeded in driving away the polytheists and protecting the Prophet ﷺ. In this struggle, Sayyiduna Talha رضي الله عنه also lost the fingers of one hand. He received more than ten wounds from spears and swords on his body. Among the scattered companions رضي الله عنهم, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه and Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah رضي الله عنه were the first to return. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه began to remove two iron chain links embedded in the blessed cheek of the Prophet ﷺ, but Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه said: Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه! I beg you by Allah, let me remove these links. Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه pulled out both links from the blessed cheek of the Prophet ﷺ with his teeth, and in this effort, two of his own teeth also fell out. Meanwhile, Sayyiduna Talha رضي الله عنه had fainted and fallen. The Prophet ﷺ addressed Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه and said: Take care of your brother Talha رضي الله عنه; he has earned Paradise.
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i: 3149; Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 1692
④ After the migration to Medina, the conflict between the disbelievers and the Muslims did not decrease but rather increased. The Muslims were constantly fearful of attacks from the Quraysh of Mecca. In these circumstances, sometimes the Prophet ﷺ would stay awake the entire night, and sometimes a devoted servant would keep watch so that he could rest. One night, the Prophet ﷺ wanted to rest but there was no guard. He wished, "If only a righteous servant of Allah would keep watch tonight, then I could rest." At that moment, he sensed the arrival of an armed man. The Prophet ﷺ asked, "Who is it?" The visitor replied, "I am Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him." The Prophet ﷺ asked again, "How did you come?" Sayyiduna Sa'd, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! A fear of danger concerning you arose in my heart, so I came to keep watch to protect you." The Prophet ﷺ expressed joy, prayed for Sayyiduna Sa'd, may Allah be pleased with him, and then fell into a restful sleep.
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 2410; Sahih al-Bukhari: 2885
The reality is that the feeling of love, reverence, and friendship for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ was a common value among all the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), which is very difficult to distinguish from one another. However, the manner of expressing love and reverence was different for each Companion.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub Ansari رضي الله عنه requesting the Holy Prophet ﷺ to move from the lower floor of his house to the upper floor, Sayyiduna Salman Farsi رضي الله عنه crying out of fear of being deprived of seeing the Holy Prophet ﷺ in the Hereafter, Sayyiduna Hakim bin Hizam رضي الله عنه selling the house of sorrow and giving it as charity to forget the old memories, Sayyiduna Rabi'ah Salmi رضي الله عنه asking the Holy Prophet ﷺ about companionship in Paradise, Sayyiduna Harith bin Rabi' رضي الله عنه supporting the Holy Prophet ﷺ throughout the night while he was dozing, at the end of the Battle of Uhud Sayyiduna Ziyad bin Sakn رضي الله عنه placing his head at the feet of the Prophet ﷺ in a semi-conscious state, Sayyiduna Umm Amarah رضي الله عنها wielding a sword to defend the Prophet ﷺ at a very critical moment during the Battle of Uhud, Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Amir رضي الله عنه not mounting a horse in the presence of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, Sayyiduna Abu Talhah رضي الله عنه and Abu Dujanah رضي الله عنه shielding themselves to protect the Prophet ﷺ during the Battle of Uhud, Sayyiduna Umm Sulaym رضي الله عنها dedicating her son Anas رضي الله عنه to serve the Prophet ﷺ, Sayyidah Umm Hani رضي الله عنها breaking her voluntary fast to drink the leftover drink of the Prophet ﷺ, Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud رضي الله عنه sitting at the mosque door after being ordered to sit during the sermon, a companion demolishing his entire house after the Prophet ﷺ expressed displeasure over the construction of a dome-shaped house, Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه not giving the call to prayer after the death of the Prophet ﷺ, Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه crying uncontrollably while mentioning the Prophet ﷺ.
❀ On the mention of Thursday, Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما would continuously hiccup, [It should be remembered that on Thursday, the illness of the Prophet ﷺ had severely worsened. Whenever the mention of Thursday came before Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما, he would become unconscious and start crying. People would ask, "Abdullah رضي الله عنه, what happened on Thursday?" He would say, "On that day, the illness of the Prophet ﷺ had intensified."]
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 1637
❀ All these matters are just different expressions of love and reverence for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The reality is that the entire life of a believer is filled with the love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. It is this love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ that protects the believer from the evils and trials of life, grants the courage to endure the hardships and pains of life, provides peace and tranquility amidst the sorrows, grief, and difficulties, and when the believer reaches the threshold of death after living this worldly life, he embraces death with a smile and joy due to his love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and his eagerness to meet them. Even in the realm of Barzakh (the intermediate world), it is the love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ that grants the believer steadfastness, and after Barzakh, in the Hereafter, this love will be the cause of intercession for him, enabling him to enter Paradise. Thus, the essence of a believer’s life is only the love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, which is everlasting and permanent, unlike all other loves which are perishable. The love of mother, father, wife, children, relatives, home, homeland, positions, wealth, and possessions—all these loves will perish except that which is subordinate to the love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. All the attractions, all the colors, all the beautiful desires, all the joys and hopes of life will fade away except the love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. And the truth is that what else is there in this world except the love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ? Allah Almighty Himself has called the entire world "the goods of deception" (mutā‘ al-ghurūr), and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "The world and whatever is in it is cursed except the remembrance of Allah, and those whom Allah loves, and except the scholar and the student."
Reference: Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2322; Sunan Ibn Majah: 4112
❀ So, the person who has true love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, even if deprived of all the blessings of the world, is still very fortunate, very prosperous, and very lucky. And the one whose heart is devoid of the love of Allah and His Messenger is like a desolate, ruined, and deserted house through which the gentle breeze has never passed. Even if he possesses all the blessings of the world, he is still the most unfortunate, destitute, and deprived person in the world. Remember! The coming time is bringing with it severe evils and trials. Today, everyone is witnessing with their own eyes the fulfillment of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ prediction: "I see trials falling upon your homes like drops of rain (one after another)."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 1878; Sahih Muslim: 2885
❀ Only the person whose heart is filled with true love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ will be saved from these trials. Therefore, those who want to protect their homes from incoming evils and trials should pay special attention to instilling love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ among their family members. Make prayer, fasting, and recitation of the Quran a safeguard for life, name your children with names associated with "Allah" and "Muhammad ﷺ," cultivate the habit in children of saying pure words like [سبحان اللٰہ، الحمدللٰہ، ماشاء اللٰہ اور جزاک اللٰہ] in daily conversation, teach them the beautiful names of Allah (Asma-ul-Husna), teach them to say بسم اللہ before every task, encourage frequent saying of "Assalamu Alaikum" when coming and going, meeting elders and youngsters at home, teach them the supplications for sleeping, waking, eating and drinking, entering and leaving the restroom, entering and leaving the house. Have children give charity and alms with their own hands. Narrate the pure biography of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, the faith-inspiring incidents from the lives of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and faith-boosting stories based on the spirit of martyrdom of the Mujahideen and martyrs. Develop the habit of regularly attending mosques. Encourage sitting and standing in the company of scholars and righteous people. These small acts will fill their hearts with love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ in such a way that no trial of life or death will affect this love. ان شاء اللہ, this love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ will not only protect us from trials in this world but will also be a cause for companionship with Allah and His Messenger ﷺ in the Hereafter. ان شاء اللہ! The Prophetic saying ﷺ is [انت مع من احببت]: On the Day of Resurrection, you will be with those whom you love.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 6169; Sahih Muslim: 2640
