This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi's book Sahih Fazail-e-Amaal.
Loving for the sake of Allah Almighty is a great deed. In fact, in one hadith, it is described as the best of faith. Mu'adh bin Anas رضي الله عنه says that he asked the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم about the best of faith, and the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم said:
أفضل الإيمان ان تحب لله، وتبغض فى الله
"The best of faith is that you love for the sake of Allah, and hold resentment against someone for the sake of Allah."
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 247/5.
Sheikh Shoaib has classified it as "Sahih Laghirah."And it is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم said:
أن رجلا زار أخا له فى قرية أخرى ، فأرصد الله على مدرجته ملكا، فلما أتى عليه قال: أين تريد؟ قال: أريد أحا لي هذه القرية ، قال: هل لك عليه من نعمة تربها عليه؟ قال: فإني رسول الله إليك بان الله قد أحبك كما أحببته فيه
"A man went to another town to visit his brother. Allah appointed an angel on his path who waited for him. When the man passed by, the angel asked, 'Where are you going?' He said, 'My brother lives in that town; I am going to him.' The angel asked, 'Does he owe you any favor for which you are enduring this hardship and going to repay him?' He said, 'No, I am going only because I love him for the sake of Allah.' The angel said, 'I am Allah's angel sent to you (to tell you) that Allah also loves you as you love him only for Allah's sake.'"
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtue and Maintaining Ties, Chapter on the Virtue of Love for the Sake of Allah, No: 6549.
Furthermore, it is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم said:
إن الله تعالى يقول يوم القيامة: أين المتحابون بجلالي؟ اليوم أظلهم فى ظلي يوم لا ظل إلا ظني
"On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will say, 'Where are those who love each other for My greatness and majesty? Today I will give them a place under My shade, on a day when there is no shade except My shade.'"
Reference: Muslim, Book of Virtue and Maintaining Ties, Chapter on the Virtue of Love for the Sake of Allah, No: 6548.
Those who love each other for the pleasure of Allah will be granted such light on the Day of Judgment that even the Prophets and martyrs will envy them. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Mu'adh bin Jabal رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم said:
قال الله عز وجل: المتحابون فى جلالي ، لهم منابر من نور يغبطهم النبيون والشهداء
"Allah says: For My glory, those who love each other will have such light that even the Prophets and martyrs will envy."
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Chapters on Asceticism, Chapter on What Has Been Related About Love for the Sake of Allah, No: 2390 -
Allama Albani رحمه الله has declared it authentic.
Reference: Al-Mishkat, No: 5011 – Al-Ta’leeq Al-Ragheeb: 47/4.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم said:
ثلات من كن فيه وجد بهن حلاوة الإيمان: من كان الله ورسوله احب إليه مما سواهما ، و من أحب عبدا لا يحبه إلا لله ، ومن يكره أن يعود فى الكفر بعد إذ أنقذه الله منه كما يكره أن يلقى فى النار
"There are three qualities: whoever possesses them has tasted the sweetness of faith. First, that Allah and His Messenger صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم become the most beloved to him. Second, that he loves a person solely for the pleasure of Allah. Third, that he hates to return to disbelief as he hates to be thrown into fire."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Faith, No: 21.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Miqdad bin Ma'dikarib رضي الله عنه that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم said:
إذا أحب أحدكم أخاه فليعلمه إياه
"When a person has sincere love and affection for his brother (Muslim), he should inform his friend of these feelings and tell him that he loves him."
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Book of Asceticism, Chapter on Informing of Love, No: 2392 – Silsilat al-Sahihah, No: 2515/417
Abu Idris Khulani رحمه الله narrates that he entered a mosque in Damascus and his gaze fell upon a man whose teeth were beautifully shining. People were sitting around him. When they had a disagreement about something, they would turn to him and act upon his opinion. When I inquired about him, I was told that he was Mu'adh bin Jabal رضي الله عنه. The next day, I arrived early in the mosque and saw that he had come even before me and was praying. So I sat waiting for him until he finished his prayer. Then I approached him, greeted him, and said: "By Allah! I love you." He asked: "For the sake of Allah?" I replied: "Yes, for the sake of Allah." He asked again: "For the sake of Allah?" I said: "Yes, for the sake of Allah." He took the edge of my cloak and pulled me towards him. Then he said: "Good news for you! Indeed, I have heard the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم say that Allah says: Those who love each other for My sake, sit together for My sake, meet for My sake, and spend wealth for My sake, loving them is obligatory upon Me."
Reference: Muwatta, Book of Poetry, No: 16 - Musnad Ahmad: 229/5 -
Sheikh Shoaib has declared it "Sahih al-Isnad."
