This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Kilani's book "Al-Wala Wal Bara".
الحمد لله رب العلمين والصلاة والسلام على رسوله الامين والعاقبة للمتقين
أما بعد!
Wala is an Arabic word whose root is "و ، ل ، ی". Wali means friend, helper, ally, close one, supporter. From this, the word Wala is derived, which means friendship, closeness, love, assistance, support. When this word is used with the addition of "ال" as "الولاء", it becomes a Shariah term which clarifies with whom a believer should have friendship and love. The word الولاء in Shariah terminology is so comprehensive that it is difficult to translate it precisely with a single Urdu word. We have chosen the word "friendship" for its translation, but this friendship does not mean superficial relations that depend on temporary interests or other momentary reasons. Rather, this friendship means a heartfelt connection that remains forever and is filled to the brim with sincere love and loyalty, even if rivers of blood flow from the head, there should not be the slightest difference in this friendship.
According to the belief of الولاء, first and foremost, it is obligatory for every Muslim to love Allah Almighty, then the Holy Prophet ﷺ, and then all the believers.
"Bara" is also an Arabic word whose root is "ب، ر، ء". Bara means to be free from, to be disgusted, to hate, to be hostile, to sever ties. Bara means expressing aversion and hatred or expressing enmity or severing ties with someone. When this word is used with the addition of "al" as "al-Bara," it becomes a Shariah term which means to clarify from whom a believing person should express aversion, hatred, or enmity. Like "al-Wala," "al-Bara" is also a comprehensive term. For its interpretation, we have chosen the word "enmity," which is the opposite of friendship. It is important to clarify here that this enmity does not mean the kind of enmity found between two traditional enemies, i.e., attacking each other on sight or fighting to the death. Rather, it means the state of hatred and aversion that a believing person should always have in his heart against the Islam-hostile disbelievers. According to the belief of al-Bara, it is obligatory for every Muslim to express intense hatred and aversion towards Islam-hostile disbelievers. And when the opportunity arises, it is obligatory to engage in jihad (i.e., fighting) against them, to weaken their power, and to take revenge for their oppression.
The belief of "Al-Wala wal-Bara" holds great importance in Islamic Shariah. This can be understood from the fact that there is not a single Surah or even a single page in the Holy Quran in which rulings about "Al-Wala wal-Bara" are not given or in some way the topic of "Al-Wala wal-Bara" is not mentioned. The Quran begins with Surah Al-Fatiha, which contains only seven verses, but even in this Surah, the theme of "Wala" and "Bara" is abundantly present. In this Surah, the believers are taught to follow the path of the Prophets, the martyrs, the pious, and the righteous, and to seek protection from the path of those who have incurred Allah’s wrath and those who have gone astray. The Quran ends with Surah An-Nas, which is a small Surah consisting of only six verses, yet it is not devoid of the theme of Wala and Bara. In this Surah, Allah teaches seeking refuge from the evil and wicked jinn and humans. What is even more astonishing is that the shortest Surah of the Quran, Surah Al-Kawthar, which consists of only three verses, also contains this theme with full intensity, in which Allah has bestowed the blessing of Kawthar upon the Holy Prophet ﷺ and has expressed immense love for the Prophet ﷺ, and by saying [اِنَّ شَانِئَکَ ہُوَ الۡاَبۡتَرُ] has expressed strong hatred and enmity towards the disbelievers and polytheists.
Some Surahs of the Holy Quran are entirely based on the belief of Al-Wala wal-Bara.
(For example) Surah At-Tawbah, Surah Al-Mumtahina, Surah Al-Munafiqun, Surah Al-Kafirun, and Surah Al-Lahab, while the main content of some Surahs is based on this belief. For instance, Surah Al-Anfal, Surah Al-Ankabut, Surah Al-Fath, Surah Muhammad, Surah Al-Mujadila, Surah Al-Hashr, etc. Since the foundation of the belief of Al-Wala wal-Bara is the Kalima of Tawheed [لا إله إلا الله], according to some scholars, after the belief in Tawheed, the thing most emphasized in the Holy Quran is the belief of Al-Wala wal-Bara. From this, the importance of the belief of Al-Wala wal-Bara can be understood. Below, we will first present our remarks regarding love for Allah Almighty in relation to Al-Wala, then love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and after that love for the believers, one by one.
Allah Almighty is the Creator, Owner, and Provider of human beings. Allah Almighty created humans solely for His worship and servitude. The Almighty says: [وَ مَا خَلَقۡتُ الۡجِنَّ وَ الۡاِنۡسَ اِلَّا لِیَعۡبُدُوۡنِ] "I have only created jinn and mankind to worship Me."
Reference: (Surah Adh-Dhariyat:56)
According to scholars, a person's deed cannot be considered complete worship unless it includes the following three qualities: ① utmost humility and meekness ② utmost love and sincerity ③ utmost fear and dread. Therefore, the worship and servitude of Allah Almighty demand that where humility and meekness are adopted before Allah, and the fear of His punishment and chastisement is felt, there should also be intense love and affection for Him. In Surah Al-Anbiya, after narrating the incidents of various Prophets (peace be upon them), Allah Almighty states: [اِنَّہُمۡ کَانُوۡا یُسٰرِعُوۡنَ فِی الۡخَیۡرٰتِ وَ یَدۡعُوۡنَنَا رَغَبًا وَّ رَہَبًا ؕوَ کَانُوۡا لَنَا خٰشِعِیۡنَ] "They used to hasten to good deeds and call upon Us with love and fear, and they were humble before Us."
Reference: (Surah Al-Anbiya:90)
This means that the worship of the Prophets included love and affection along with humility and fear, which is the foundation of the doctrine of loyalty (Aqeedah al-Wala).In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has described this characteristic of the believers that they love Allah Almighty more than anything in the world. The Almighty says: [وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلّٰہِ] Those who have believed are stronger in love for Allah.
Reference: (Surah Al-Baqarah:165)
Therefore, loving Allah Almighty is an individual obligation (Fard Ayn) upon every Muslim, a love that is even greater than the love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, greater than the love for parents, spouse, children, relatives, and all other friends and companions. Whatever love one has after Allah Almighty must also be subordinate to the love of Allah. The love for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as much and as intense as is required, is also because Allah Almighty commands it. The love for parents, spouse, children, relatives, and friends is also because Allah, Glorified and Exalted, commands it. The love for wealth, property, household, and other things should be only as much as Allah Almighty has permitted. Indeed, the true center and source of all human love should be the blessed Being of Allah Almighty; neither the love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ should surpass the love for Allah, nor should the love for mother, father, spouse, children, and other relatives dominate the love for Allah, nor should the love for wealth, property, status, and position become an obstacle in the love for Allah. Besides these commandments, the favors and blessings of Allah Almighty upon His servants also demand that one loves Allah sincerely from the heart and soul. Reflect! The Being who is so kind, merciful, and generous that He has blessed us with blessings like heart, mind, and eyes; the Being who sent among us our Master Muhammad ﷺ; the Being who guided us to the religion of Islam; the Being who made us the best nation; the Being who, despite our continuous disobedience, continues to provide us sustenance day and night; the Being who, despite knowing all our small and big, apparent and hidden, past and future sins, continues to bless us with countless favors; the Being who listens to the cries of distressed hearts in the darkness of night and the brightness of day and removes their pain; the Being who has kept ninety-nine parts of His mercy with Himself to forgive His servants on the Day of Judgment; the Being who has inscribed on His Throne this phrase [إن رحمتي سبقت غضبی] Translation: Indeed, My mercy prevails over My wrath.
Reference: (Bukhari:7422)
Surely, that Being is most deserving that His servants love Him above all else.❀ The lives of the noble Prophets are the best examples of love for Allah Almighty. Sayyiduna Ibrahim (peace be upon him) invited his father to the faith, but his father not only threatened to stone him but also ordered him to leave the house. Sayyiduna Ibrahim (peace be upon him) did not let the love for parents, relatives, property, and household become an obstacle even for a moment in the path of love and friendship with Allah, and he separated from his father. When the king decided to throw him into the fire for the crime of monotheism, there was not even the slightest faltering in Sayyiduna Ibrahim’s steadfastness. At the age of eighty, Allah Almighty granted him offspring and commanded that the wife and child be left alone in a desolate wilderness, yet Sayyiduna Ibrahim (peace be upon him) did not hesitate for a moment in obeying Allah’s command. A few years later, when Allah Almighty commanded him to sacrifice his young son, the love for his son did not become an obstacle to submitting to Allah’s command, and thus Sayyiduna Ibrahim (peace be upon him) proved that the love of Allah Almighty in his life was dominant over all other loves. Then Allah Almighty praised Sayyiduna Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in these words: [وَ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ الَّذِیۡ وَفّٰۤی] Translation: Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is indeed one who fulfilled his promise.
Reference: (Surah An-Najm:37)
❀ When Allah Almighty called Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) to Mount Tur to grant him the Shariah, Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) set out towards Mount Tur with seventy men of his people. Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) was so overwhelmed by the love of Allah Almighty and the eagerness to meet Him that he left his people on the way and quickly reached Mount Tur alone. Allah Almighty asked: [وَ مَاۤ اَعۡجَلَکَ عَنۡ قَوۡمِکَ یٰمُوۡسٰی] O Musa, what brought you before your people? Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) replied: [عَجِلۡتُ اِلَیۡکَ رَبِّ لِتَرۡضٰی] O my Lord! I hastened so that You may be pleased.
Reference: (Surah Taha:83-84)
❀ During the journey to Taif, the Holy Prophet ﷺ faced an extremely unexpected state of sorrow, grief, and distress. Wounded, he took refuge in a vineyard outside the city. Leaning against a wall, he sat down. When he felt somewhat relieved, he made a very heartfelt prayer, some lines of which are as follows: O Allah, if Your wrath is not upon me, then I do not care about this pain and sorrow. Your well-being is my only support. I seek refuge in Your radiant countenance, through which darkness is illuminated and the affairs of this world and the Hereafter are set right. Either You send down Your wrath upon me or You become displeased with me; I only desire Your pleasure until You become pleased. Even in a state of intense sorrow and grief, these words from the blessed tongue of the Holy Prophet ﷺ are a manifestation of boundless, passionate love for Allah Almighty, which is befitting only for you ﷺ.
The desire of the Holy Prophet ﷺ that I wish to be killed in the way of Allah, then brought back to life, then killed again, then brought back to life
Reference: (Bukhari:2797)
is an expression of this immense love for Allah Almighty.❀ This prayer for the desire to see and meet Allah Almighty, which you ﷺ yourself asked for and taught the Ummah, is proof of your ﷺ love for Allah Almighty. [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ] Translation: O Allah, I ask You for the pleasure of seeing You and the desire to meet You, without any hardship that causes harm and without any trial that leads astray.
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i:1306
❀ To attain the love of Allah Almighty, you ﷺ used to make the following prayer:
[اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ حُبَّكَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ نَفْسِي وَأَهْلِي وَمِنَ الْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ]
O Allah! Place Your love in my heart, my life, my family, and more than cold water.
Reference: (Tirmidhi:3490)
❀ A few days before your blessed passing, you ﷺ said: People, among you, the one who has done the most favors to me is Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him). If I were to take anyone other than Allah as a friend, I would have taken Abu Bakr.
Reference: (Bukhari:466)
And then, before your blessed passing, when Allah Almighty gave you the choice to either remain in this world or return to your Lord, you ﷺ preferred to go to your friend rather than stay in the world.
Reference: (Bukhari:3654)
The Holy Prophet ﷺ, through his teachings, training, and conduct, filled the sacred group of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, with the love of Allah so abundantly that no matter how great the oppression of the biggest disbeliever, no matter how severe the exile, and no matter how great the trial, it could not diminish that love even by a tiny bit.
A few examples are presented:
① Our master Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) sent an army to confront the Romans, which included our master Abdullah bin Hudhafah (may Allah be pleased with him). Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), along with a few of his companions, was captured by the Roman army and presented before the Caesar of Rome. The Caesar invited him to accept Christianity. Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "I consider dying a thousand times better than abandoning the religion I follow." The Caesar tempted him with governance. Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) gave the same reply again. The Caesar, enraged, said, "I will kill you." Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) gave a brief reply, "Do whatever you wish." The Caesar ordered a large cauldron to be brought, filled it with oil, commanded a fire to be lit underneath, and ordered two Muslim prisoners to be thrown into it one after the other. Both prisoners, as soon as they fell into the oil, met their Lord. The Caesar then again invited Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) to accept Christianity, but he gave the same reply. The Caesar ordered him to be thrown into the oil as well. When the executioner began to throw Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) into the oil, tears came from his eyes. The Caesar thought he was crying out of fear of death. He called Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) to himself and invited him to Christianity. He (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "You have misunderstood; I am crying because I have only one life. I wish I had a thousand lives so that I could sacrifice each one in the way of Allah." The Caesar was astonished upon hearing this and was so impressed by his steadfastness and courage that he ordered Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and his companions to be released.
Reference: Shu'ab al-Iman by Al-Bayhaqi: 3/179; Siyar A'lam al-Nubala by Al-Dhahabi: 2/13-14
② When Sayyiduna Bilal bin Rabah رضي الله عنه embraced Islam, a severe series of tortures began for him. His master, Umayyah bin Khalaf, would hang him in the scorching sun and place heavy stones on him so that he could not move, saying, "As long as you do not deny the religion of Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and worship Lat and Uzza, you will remain like this." In response, Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه would say [احد احد]. For this very reason, the disbelievers would tie him with ropes and drag him through the streets of Makkah, sometimes laying him face down on the scorching sand and piling stones on top, saying, "Say, my Lord is Lat and Uzza." Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه would respond with only one thing: [احد احد]
Reference: Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah by Ibn Hisham: 1/317-318; Sunan Ibn Majah, Introduction, Chapter on the Virtue of Salman, Abu Dharr, and Al-Miqdad, Hadith: 150; Musnad Ahmad: 3822
③ The family of Yasir were slaves of Banu Makhzum. Despite her old age, Lady Sumayyah رضي الله عنها was made to wear an iron armor by the disbelievers and was laid down on the scorching ground, while they stood nearby laughing and said, "Taste the religion of Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم." Her husband, Sayyiduna Yasir رضي الله عنه, and her sons, Sayyiduna Ammar رضي الله عنه and Abdullah رضي الله عنه, were branded with fire on their backs, submerged in water, made to wear iron armor, and laid on burning sand. When the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم saw the cruelty of the disbelievers and the patience and steadfastness of the poor family of Yasir, he said: [فاصبرو یا آل یاسر ان موعدکم الجنۃ] (O family of Yasir, be patient; Paradise is promised for you). One day, after enduring hardships all day, the elderly Sumayyah رضي الله عنها returned home in the evening, when the wretched Abu Jahl began to insult her. When she tried to calm him down, he gave his spear to Lady Sumayyah رضي الله عنها and struck her. She immediately fell to the ground and surrendered her soul to the Creator. اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَ اِنَّا اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْنَ!
Reference: Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra by Ibn Sa'd: 3/230; Al-Musannaf by Ibn Abi Shaybah: 7/270; Al-Isabah by Ibn Hajar: 8/189
④ Sayyiduna Khabbab bin Aratt رضي الله عنه was a slave of Umm Anmar bint Suba' al-Khuza'iyyah in Mecca. For the crime of embracing Islam, the disbelievers would strip him of his clothes and lay him on burning embers, placing a heavy stone on his chest, and sometimes a man would sit on his chest so that he could not turn over. Sayyiduna Khabbab رضي الله عنه's body would continue to burn on the embers until blood and pus oozed out, cooling the embers. Sometimes Umm Anmar would make him wear iron armor and lay him in the sun, and sometimes she would brand his head with hot iron. Sayyiduna Khabbab رضي الله عنه was continuously subjected to this brutal cruelty by the disbelievers until he migrated from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah.
Reference: Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra by Ibn Sa'd: 3/164; Hilyat al-Awliya by Abu Nu'aym: 1/143; Siyar A'lam al-Nubala by Al-Dhahabi: 2/323
⑤ Abdul Aziz bin Nahm was an orphan. His uncle raised him with great love and affection, but when he became a Muslim, the uncle became angry and said, "Leave this new religion, or I will seize all your property and wealth." Abdul Aziz replied, "Uncle! Even if I lose my life, I will not leave this religion." The uncle then stripped him of his clothes right there, leaving him with only a loincloth. When he went to his mother, she became anxious upon seeing him and gave him a sheet to cover his body. Abdul Aziz tore the sheet into two pieces, took one piece to cover his upper body and tied the other around his waist, then set out on foot towards Madinah Munawwarah empty-handed. After enduring a long and difficult journey, he reached Madinah Munawwarah and after Fajr prayer, he presented himself at the court of the Messenger. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked, "Who are you?" He replied, "I am Abdul Aziz. I have left my home out of love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. I want to embrace Islam." The Messenger of Mercy ﷺ said, "From today onwards, you are not Abdul Aziz but Abdullah, and your title is Dhul-Bijadain (the one with two sheets). From now on, you will stay close to us." Sayyiduna Abdullah رضي الله عنه joined the Ashab al-Suffah and, out of love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, became indifferent to all the worldly loves.
Reference: The Prophetic Biography by Ibn Ishaq: p. 293; The Lions of the Forest by Ibn al-Athir: 3/211; Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah by Ibn Hajar: 4/140
⑥ Before participating in the Battle of Uhud, Sayyidna Saad bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) and Sayyidna Abdullah bin Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with him) both prayed together. Sayyidna Saad (may Allah be pleased with him) prayed, "O Allah! When I face my enemy, let it be a brave warrior disbeliever. Let us both exert ourselves until I gain victory over the enemy and kill him." Upon this prayer of Sayyidna Saad (may Allah be pleased with him), Sayyidna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said Ameen. Then Sayyidna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) prayed, "O Allah! Let my opponent be a very brave, experienced, and warrior disbeliever. I will fight him only to please You, and in the end, he will overpower me and cut off my nose, ears, etc. On the Day of Judgment, when I stand before You, You will ask, 'Abdullah! Why were your nose and ears cut off?' I will reply, 'O Allah! For Your pleasure.' You will respond, 'Yes! Abdullah spoke the truth.'" Both of their prayers were accepted. Sayyidna Abdullah bin Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred in the Battle of Uhud; the disbelievers cut off his ears and nose and hung him on a tree. When Sayyidna Saad (may Allah be pleased with him) saw the body of Sayyidna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) at the end of the battle, he said, "By Allah! Abdullah's prayer was better than my prayer."
Reference: Al-Isti'ab by Ibn Abd al-Barr: 3/879; Usd al-Ghabah by Ibn al-Athir: 3/196
❀ When studying the biography of the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them), it appears that every Companion wanted to surpass one another in love for Allah and in seeking Allah's pleasure. In the Battle of Uhud, when Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) saw his brother Zaid ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) fighting without armor, he wanted to make him wear armor. Sayyiduna Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "Umar! Armor is for those who cherish life; I have already sold my life in the hands of Allah."
Reference: Al-Isti'ab fi Ma'rifat al-Ashab by Ibn Abd al-Barr: 2/552; Siyar A'lam al-Nubala by al-Dhahabi: 1/298
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum (may Allah be pleased with him) was blind. His passion for giving his life in the way of Allah was so great that he said, "I am disabled, but if I am given the flag of the Islamic army, I will stand firm in one place and will not let the flag be lowered." He participated in the Battle of Qadisiyyah. At the time of his martyrdom, the flag of the Islamic army was firmly held in both his strong arms.
Reference: Siyar A'lam al-Nubala by al-Dhahabi: 364/1-365
❀ Sayyiduna Amr ibn Jamuh رضي الله عنه used to walk with a limp. His sons forcibly prevented him from participating in the Battle of Uhud, so he came to the Prophet's presence and said, "O Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم! My sons are forbidding me from going to jihad, but by Allah, I hope to be martyred in the way of Allah and enter Paradise limping. For Allah's sake, please grant me permission to go to jihad with you." The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم granted him permission, and Sayyiduna Amr رضي الله عنه gave a brave fight on the battlefield and was martyred. When the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم saw his body on the battlefield, he said, "Some servants of Allah swear an oath, and Allah fulfills it for them."
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 22553; Sahih Ibn Hibban: 7024
❀ Quranic verse: [مَنۡ ذَا الَّذِیۡ یُقۡرِضُ اللّٰہَ قَرۡضًا حَسَنًا فَیُضٰعِفَہٗ لَہٗ وَ لَہٗۤ اَجۡرٌ کَرِیۡمٌ] Translation: Who is it that will lend Allah a good loan so that He may multiply it for him many times over and he will have a noble reward.
Reference: (Surah Al-Hadid:11)
When this verse was revealed, Sayyiduna Abu Dihdah رضي الله عنه came to the presence of the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and asked, "O Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم! Does Allah ask us for a loan?" The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم replied, "Yes!" Sayyiduna Abu Dihdah رضي الله عنه took the Prophet’s hand in his and said, "O Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم! I give my garden as a loan to Allah." This garden also had the residential house of Abu Dihdah رضي الله عنه. Standing outside the house, he called out to his wife, Umm Dihdah رضي الله عنها, "Come out of the house, I have given this garden as a loan to my Lord." His wife, who also loved Allah, said, "Abu Dihdah رضي الله عنه! You have made a profitable deal. Take the children and come out of the house immediately."
Reference: Musnad al-Bazzar: 2033; Musnad Abi Ya'la: 4986; Shu'ab al-Iman by Al-Bayhaqi: 3452
The reality is that sacrificing life and wealth for the religion of Allah, leaving home and homeland, enduring hardships and pains, bearing the oppression and torment of the disbelievers, is not possible without the love of Allah. This love of Allah is the foundation of "Aqeedah al-Wala" (the doctrine of loyalty), upon which believing and acting is obligatory for every Muslim. Finally, we want to draw the attention of our readers to the fact that we all claim to love Allah. Keeping the Seerah of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) in front of us, we should examine our claim to see how truthful we are in this claim. If we are making any sacrifice or enduring hardship for the religion of Allah, then to some extent we are certainly truthful in our claim and can hope for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. But if the claim of love for Allah is merely verbal, and in practice we love our life, wealth, position, homeland, comfortable home, parents, and wife and children more than Allah, then we should not forget Allah’s law that those who do not love Allah, Allah will erase them and bring people in their place who love Allah and whom Allah loves. Allah the Exalted says: [یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا مَنۡ یَّرۡتَدَّ مِنۡکُمۡ عَنۡ دِیۡنِہٖ فَسَوۡفَ یَاۡتِی اللّٰہُ بِقَوۡمٍ یُّحِبُّہُمۡ وَ یُحِبُّوۡنَہٗۤ ۙ اَذِلَّۃٍ عَلَی الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ اَعِزَّۃٍ عَلَی الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ۫ یُجَاہِدُوۡنَ فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ وَ لَا یَخَافُوۡنَ لَوۡمَۃَ لَآئِمٍ ؕ ذٰلِکَ فَضۡلُ اللّٰہِ یُؤۡتِیۡہِ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِیۡمٌ] Translation: O you who have believed, if anyone among you turns back from his faith, Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him - [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
Reference: (Surah Al-Ma'idah:54)
